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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm a big fan of Rob Rinder's Adam Green murder mystery series. It's clear he gets it, all while bringing a fresh twist by focusing more on the legal proceedings. The characters are incredibly warm and well drawn, and in his latest book, The Protest, it's no different.
One of the things I really appreciate about this series is the relationships between characters. They're a slow burn, and the books aren’t afraid to take their time. Some of the series I enjoy most are the ones that let things unfold gradually across multiple books, rather than jumping the gun. The plot and characters work well together here, without needing to force characters into artificial scenarios to prop things up. The main threads are strong enough to carry the book on their own.
I do think these books have more in common with series like The Lincoln Lawyer than with the tighter, enclosed-space mysteries we see from authors like Lucy Foley. Rinder manages to pack so much into each one, weaving in modern legal debates and topics that occasionally break into the news cycle. It’s a series I’ll always read, and I’m already looking forward to the next instalment.
In The Protest, the A plot centred on the Blue Face movement runs alongside a court martial B plot. For me, the B plot was the stronger of the two, and I wouldn’t be surprised if early edits reflected that, with it naturally taking centre stage by the halfway point. That shift puts the A plot in a slightly awkward position, as it has to wrap up a number of threads in relatively few pages.
Still, it’s another great addition to a series that really has legs.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A famous artist is killed after being sprayed by blue paint laced with cyanide. The young woman charged is a member of a protest group who spray their targets but have never killed one. She claims not to know about the cyanide and Adam Green is coopted onto her defence team working alongside his chambers' star barrister. He is also asked to help defend a young soldier who is being court-marshalled about the death of young boy during an overseas war.
This is the next instalment in the series about Adam Green, a young barrister who is starting to make a name for himself. I find these rather interesting books as they are written in a very populist style who is to be expected from the celebrity author but there are often some interesting messages hidden. Here the headline case is predictable but nicely played with a predictable ending, it is the court marshal where there is some heft, all about guilt in combat zones and the culpability of those on the ground and those in power.
This is the next instalment in the series about Adam Green, a young barrister who is starting to make a name for himself. I find these rather interesting books as they are written in a very populist style who is to be expected from the celebrity author but there are often some interesting messages hidden. Here the headline case is predictable but nicely played with a predictable ending, it is the court marshal where there is some heft, all about guilt in combat zones and the culpability of those on the ground and those in power.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
tense
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Another easy read. I feel like I ‘know' some of the characters from a previous book and they are starting to grow on me, dare I say even Jonathan in a funny kind of way. Adam needs to lighten up a bit and is showing signs of realising this towards the end of the book so here’s hoping he has some fun in the next one. The story felt a bit unfinished so I’m hoping for some follow up to this in the next one too.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
‘The Protest’ by Rob Rinder is the third book in the TV judge’s intelligent series about junior barrister Adam Green. Following on from ‘The Trial’ and ‘The Suspect’ - both of which felt like fresh and topical courtroom dramas - this book revolves around the murder of a British artist, allegedly at the hands of a young ‘Stop The War’ protester, and a military court case based on a young soldier’s actions in the same war. Again, Adam’s morality and legal instincts are tested as he works on a pair of challenging briefs which demonstrate that justice isn’t always black and white.
I really like how effectively this series captures the incredible demands put on barristers and highlights glaring flaws in the system, and the topical nature of anti-war protests made this a riveting read. The insight into the nuances of military courts was unexpected and interesting, and as always Adam’s talkative mother provided comic relief.
Where this book really shone was in the character development! Adam, solicitor Nisha and colleague Georgina returned as familiar and likeable individuals, and senior barristers Bobby and Johnathan revealed new traits. The new characters, including Adam’s mentee Stacey and protester Lexi were slightly stereotyped as members of Gen Z, but were well-rounded with elements of relatability.
Overall, this gets four stars from me - as long as you go in expecting intrigue but not thrills, this courtroom drama will keep you hooked and leave you reeling.
I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Random House UK via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I really like how effectively this series captures the incredible demands put on barristers and highlights glaring flaws in the system, and the topical nature of anti-war protests made this a riveting read. The insight into the nuances of military courts was unexpected and interesting, and as always Adam’s talkative mother provided comic relief.
Where this book really shone was in the character development! Adam, solicitor Nisha and colleague Georgina returned as familiar and likeable individuals, and senior barristers Bobby and Johnathan revealed new traits. The new characters, including Adam’s mentee Stacey and protester Lexi were slightly stereotyped as members of Gen Z, but were well-rounded with elements of relatability.
Overall, this gets four stars from me - as long as you go in expecting intrigue but not thrills, this courtroom drama will keep you hooked and leave you reeling.
I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Random House UK via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I do love Adam Green. He's a guy with a really big heart ... and an ever bigger caseload. Being a newly appointed Barrister, the pressure is on to bring the money in, but when faced with conflicting priorities, and being asked to assist on two cases which could not be more different in their nature, it's a wonder he hasn't gone into a complete meltdown. He's Rob Rinder's equivalent of Ado Annie - a boy who can't say no, only with a very different context, obviously. Make things a lot more fun for us readers though as Rob Rinder guides us skilfully through the ups and downs of Adam's life and his various cases, his constant communication with his mother, and his determination to find the absolute truth in each of his major cases, almost to the detriment of both. He's one of my favourite characters, and The Protest, is another brilliant novel that kept me completely hooked from start to finish.
One of the two cases Adam is juggling this time around is the very high profile murder of one of Britain's most famous artists, Max Bruce, by an environmental protestor. There is absolutely no doubting that Adam's client, Lexi, was the catalyst for the artist's demise, the question is only was she also the cause. Lexi claims not and it is down to super Barrister, Morris Brown, with Adam's support, to create enough doubt over her guilt to obtain an innocent verdict. Now, we, along with a room full of celebrities, Max's family, and some very high profile guests, witness the 'incident' so we know Lexi was involved. But Lexi claims that she only sprayed the paint, she has nothing to do with Max's murder. So what is the truth?
I like how Rob Rinder has played this case. Tapping into some very recent and high profile protests from Just Stop Oil, he has already found an area which has opinions divided over whether or not the actions of these activists is justifiable or not. We all support the idea behind the cause - in this case stopping a war rather than targeting oil production and use - and how can anyone be against that? But do the ends justify the means? And were the ends in this case really the intended consequences? There are a lot of questions asked, and a lot of misdirection employed, as umpteen possible suspects are offered as an alternative to the seemingly inarguably guilty Lexi. It doesn't help that she is a thoroughly irksome character who it was hard to feel sorry for, really highlighting the fact that, as a Barrister, you do not have to like your client, but you do have to offer them the best possible defence. Adam's pursuit of this goal put him at odds with Morris Brown on more than the odd occasion, and this conflict heighten's Adam's self doubt, which lead to hesitation on his part. Whether he comes good in the end, and manages to uncover the truth in time to save his client, you'll have to read to find out.
The second case Adam is embroiled in, and perhaps the reason he is not quite on top form for Morris Brown, is the case of a soldier who faces court martial and potential life imprisonment for a death that happened in the final days of the conflict that Lexi had been protesting about. It is a truly tragic case, one with heightened emotions, and it is really hard to see which side the jury in this case will go. This case gave a fascinating insight as to the legal process within the army and, whilst I am sure for security reasons there may have been some artistic licence employed, the stark difference between the Old Bailey and Aldershot Barracks, even the trial process, really does add a different dimension to the story. I felt for Adam's client, but also for the victim in the case and it is hard not to feel the emotional impact of the whole thing.
There is a lot of mystery, and quite a bit of tension in this book, especially given the lingering fears Adam has following on from his last major case. If you haven't read the previous book, it's not really an issue as each book stands as a self contained story, but some elements of this book will make a touch more sense if you have read The Suspect first, as well as avoiding a few minor spoilers. Plsu the books are so much fun, with a wonderful blend of courtroom drama, and Chambers politics, alongside a bit of personal insight as to things between Adam and his Mum, and a good deal of warm hearted humour. This is crime on the cosier side of fiction, but the cases can still pack an emotional punch, and I'd heartily recommend each and every one. Can't wait to see what Mr Rinder has in story for Adam next for there surely must be many more cases to come. He's barely hitting his stride yet.
One of the two cases Adam is juggling this time around is the very high profile murder of one of Britain's most famous artists, Max Bruce, by an environmental protestor. There is absolutely no doubting that Adam's client, Lexi, was the catalyst for the artist's demise, the question is only was she also the cause. Lexi claims not and it is down to super Barrister, Morris Brown, with Adam's support, to create enough doubt over her guilt to obtain an innocent verdict. Now, we, along with a room full of celebrities, Max's family, and some very high profile guests, witness the 'incident' so we know Lexi was involved. But Lexi claims that she only sprayed the paint, she has nothing to do with Max's murder. So what is the truth?
I like how Rob Rinder has played this case. Tapping into some very recent and high profile protests from Just Stop Oil, he has already found an area which has opinions divided over whether or not the actions of these activists is justifiable or not. We all support the idea behind the cause - in this case stopping a war rather than targeting oil production and use - and how can anyone be against that? But do the ends justify the means? And were the ends in this case really the intended consequences? There are a lot of questions asked, and a lot of misdirection employed, as umpteen possible suspects are offered as an alternative to the seemingly inarguably guilty Lexi. It doesn't help that she is a thoroughly irksome character who it was hard to feel sorry for, really highlighting the fact that, as a Barrister, you do not have to like your client, but you do have to offer them the best possible defence. Adam's pursuit of this goal put him at odds with Morris Brown on more than the odd occasion, and this conflict heighten's Adam's self doubt, which lead to hesitation on his part. Whether he comes good in the end, and manages to uncover the truth in time to save his client, you'll have to read to find out.
The second case Adam is embroiled in, and perhaps the reason he is not quite on top form for Morris Brown, is the case of a soldier who faces court martial and potential life imprisonment for a death that happened in the final days of the conflict that Lexi had been protesting about. It is a truly tragic case, one with heightened emotions, and it is really hard to see which side the jury in this case will go. This case gave a fascinating insight as to the legal process within the army and, whilst I am sure for security reasons there may have been some artistic licence employed, the stark difference between the Old Bailey and Aldershot Barracks, even the trial process, really does add a different dimension to the story. I felt for Adam's client, but also for the victim in the case and it is hard not to feel the emotional impact of the whole thing.
There is a lot of mystery, and quite a bit of tension in this book, especially given the lingering fears Adam has following on from his last major case. If you haven't read the previous book, it's not really an issue as each book stands as a self contained story, but some elements of this book will make a touch more sense if you have read The Suspect first, as well as avoiding a few minor spoilers. Plsu the books are so much fun, with a wonderful blend of courtroom drama, and Chambers politics, alongside a bit of personal insight as to things between Adam and his Mum, and a good deal of warm hearted humour. This is crime on the cosier side of fiction, but the cases can still pack an emotional punch, and I'd heartily recommend each and every one. Can't wait to see what Mr Rinder has in story for Adam next for there surely must be many more cases to come. He's barely hitting his stride yet.