Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.01 AVERAGE
3.01 AVERAGE
I DNF’d this book about 20% in, mostly because it felt too dense with legal terms to make sense. Adding on top of it not being an American court and I felt pretty lost. Maybe I just wasn’t the target audience.
Wow! What a phenomenal read! L. J. Shepherd stand up and take a bow because this is a masterpiece. This book is everything I needed and so much more.
The Trials of Lila Dalton is interesting and intriguing, I was instantly pulled into this one and completely unwilling to put this down. I devoured this book in just one afternoon sitting.
Lila Dalton is a superb character, memorable and realistic. This is a professional who has no memory of who she is or what’s going on. I was desperate to know more about her and discover her character deeper.
Lila is defending a man charged with mass murder. However, she’s not even sure she knows herself let alone how to defend someone else. As a reader, we also see Lila receiving strange notes.
This book has it all, mass murder, strange notes and a group which seems very cult like. This is a book that is unique and unlike anything I’ve read previously. Shepherd has created a gem with this one.
This is a book which is perfectly plotted and beautifully written. Shepherd pulled me in and made me feel as though I was watching this play out ahead of me. I’d love to see this on the big screen.
This has been my first read by this author. It definitely won’t be the last. I have been fully converted as a fan and absolutely hope there is more to come. Everything about this book has been fantastic.
Shepherd is a superb and masterful storyteller and this is a gem. From beginning to end, this has been a fantastic read. I have no hesitation in recommending this book. This is a book worthy of all the stars and praise. A must for the TBR.
The Trials of Lila Dalton is interesting and intriguing, I was instantly pulled into this one and completely unwilling to put this down. I devoured this book in just one afternoon sitting.
Lila Dalton is a superb character, memorable and realistic. This is a professional who has no memory of who she is or what’s going on. I was desperate to know more about her and discover her character deeper.
Lila is defending a man charged with mass murder. However, she’s not even sure she knows herself let alone how to defend someone else. As a reader, we also see Lila receiving strange notes.
This book has it all, mass murder, strange notes and a group which seems very cult like. This is a book that is unique and unlike anything I’ve read previously. Shepherd has created a gem with this one.
This is a book which is perfectly plotted and beautifully written. Shepherd pulled me in and made me feel as though I was watching this play out ahead of me. I’d love to see this on the big screen.
This has been my first read by this author. It definitely won’t be the last. I have been fully converted as a fan and absolutely hope there is more to come. Everything about this book has been fantastic.
Shepherd is a superb and masterful storyteller and this is a gem. From beginning to end, this has been a fantastic read. I have no hesitation in recommending this book. This is a book worthy of all the stars and praise. A must for the TBR.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
***advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
It’s quite unusual to read a truly original story, but that’s what The Trials of Lila Dalton feels like. It’s got an opening that really grabs the reader and pulls them in, then the mystery and on-going thriller builds until the final reveal. I really enjoyed reading this, and highly recommend it to others.
It’s quite unusual to read a truly original story, but that’s what The Trials of Lila Dalton feels like. It’s got an opening that really grabs the reader and pulls them in, then the mystery and on-going thriller builds until the final reveal. I really enjoyed reading this, and highly recommend it to others.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What I Did Like:
+Compelling opening chapters. This is one of those books that captures your curiosity quickly. Just the opening chapter was enough to get me hooked.
+There are a LOT of complicated layers to this story but it’s somehow not overwhelming. You peel back those layers slowly and get completely buried in the story.
+The ending has the capability to shock even seasoned readers.
Who Should Read This One:
-This is designed for readers who like puzzles that are more than they appear, are deep thinkers, and like an interesting ending.
My Rating: 3 Stars
Well done but definitely niche. If you’re not a deep puzzle fan, you may not love this one.
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Unfortunately, The Trials of Lila Dalton was not the book for me. While the writing was engaging and immersive, the subject matter was odd and the legal jargon was overbearing at times. Honestly, I was just waiting for this book to end. I still can't decide if I like Lila Dalton as a character or not. She had crazy circumstances happen to her, but her behavior was also very strange. Overall, I felt like this book tried to do too much - there was too much neo-Nazi content as well as religious, political, and psychological issues going on. Everything was way too far fetched for me... and if I didn't care about the character, what is my motivation to be engaged with this book? I'd consider reading the author again but perhaps with a different sort of plot. I think for the right reader this book will be a hit but that is not me. I was expecting more of a realistic thriller and this was not that.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poison Pen Press for the opportunity to read this prior to release.
A lot to unpack here.
This is going to someones best read of the year.
I just left confused.
All the elements sound cool when viewed separately.
-Unreliable narrator, a lawyer, "comes to" in a court room with no idea how she got there or what the situation is.
-Defendant is a neo nazi responsible for many deaths in a bombing.
-Missing daughter's life depends on outcome.
-Entire trial takes place on an island where only the WORST criminals are held, very few people around, altogether isolated and claustrophobic vibe.
The legal stuff was great, if this truly read as a John Grisham novel with some Stephen King horror built in, I could have given it more stars. It just felt flat and honestly confused me in the end. I'm hoping to chat about it with others and maybe the concept will become clearer?
A lot to unpack here.
This is going to someones best read of the year.
I just left confused.
All the elements sound cool when viewed separately.
-Unreliable narrator, a lawyer, "comes to" in a court room with no idea how she got there or what the situation is.
-Defendant is a neo nazi responsible for many deaths in a bombing.
-Missing daughter's life depends on outcome.
-Entire trial takes place on an island where only the WORST criminals are held, very few people around, altogether isolated and claustrophobic vibe.
The legal stuff was great, if this truly read as a John Grisham novel with some Stephen King horror built in, I could have given it more stars. It just felt flat and honestly confused me in the end. I'm hoping to chat about it with others and maybe the concept will become clearer?
Well....that was pretty pants. Its Shepherd's debut novel and certainly an author I won't be reading again. This was a book that wished it was Shutter Island and an author who wished they were Denis Lehane. Instead of reading this, go read Shutter Island. 2 stars.