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Private Prosecution
Andrew Deacon is young, fit and single, a junior prosecutor at the WA DPP with a bright future and a sense of entitlement to match. That future starts to look darker when he spends the night with an attractive stranger, Lily Constantine, and she is found murdered in her apartment the following day. Andrew believes he knows who killed Lily but there is not a shred of evidence to prove it. This is a pacy, darkly comic whodunnit with a twist – Andrew knows who did it but the clock is ticking and he has to prove it before he gets himself taken out.
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Published January 1, 2023
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January 26, 2022
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Private Prosecution by Lisa Ellery. (2021).
Andrew is young, fit, single, and a junior prosecutor with a bright future. But that future looks grim after he sleeps with a stranger, Lily, and she is found murdered in her apartment the next day. Andrew is the prime suspect. He is convinced the killer is respected barrister and Lil's brother-in-law, Sam. Nobody is impressed or believes him. After an unequivocal warning in a deserted carpark, Andrew finds himself on the run and in a bad way. Can he trap the killer before the killer destroys him?
This is a debut novel set in my hometown of Perth, which I always find super cool to read about locations I actually know haha. Andrew was an intriguing lead to follow in that he was very clever and determined to get justice for a woman he only knew for one night; however he also had quite a cocky personality which made him a bit annoying at times I thought. Life very quickly deteriorates for Andrew when he keeps trying to find proof for his theory that Lily was murdered by her brother-in-law Sam, who happens to be a well-respected defense barrister. There are a lot of dark elements to this story with murder, violence, drug abuse and sexual assault all playing main roles. Overall I'd say I liked the book well enough, it was a quick and easy read however the style of it didn't really gel with me; reviews so far are primarily positive so worth a read if you are into legal crime thrillers.
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Private Prosecution by Lisa Ellery. (2021).
Andrew is young, fit, single, and a junior prosecutor with a bright future. But that future looks grim after he sleeps with a stranger, Lily, and she is found murdered in her apartment the next day. Andrew is the prime suspect. He is convinced the killer is respected barrister and Lil's brother-in-law, Sam. Nobody is impressed or believes him. After an unequivocal warning in a deserted carpark, Andrew finds himself on the run and in a bad way. Can he trap the killer before the killer destroys him?
This is a debut novel set in my hometown of Perth, which I always find super cool to read about locations I actually know haha. Andrew was an intriguing lead to follow in that he was very clever and determined to get justice for a woman he only knew for one night; however he also had quite a cocky personality which made him a bit annoying at times I thought. Life very quickly deteriorates for Andrew when he keeps trying to find proof for his theory that Lily was murdered by her brother-in-law Sam, who happens to be a well-respected defense barrister. There are a lot of dark elements to this story with murder, violence, drug abuse and sexual assault all playing main roles. Overall I'd say I liked the book well enough, it was a quick and easy read however the style of it didn't really gel with me; reviews so far are primarily positive so worth a read if you are into legal crime thrillers.
August 5, 2021
Private Prosecution is the first novel by Australian lawyer, former prosecutor and author, Lisa Ellery. It was meant to be a one-night-stand, although Andrew Deacon, junior prosecutor with Western Australia’s DPP was hoping for more with pretty, sexy Lil Constantine. But the next day she was dead.
Lil’s influential brother-in-law, Samuel Godfrey SC is the person Drew believes responsible, but the police have no case. When Drew persists, he is given an unambiguous demonstration of the man’s power to inflict pain of the physical and reputational kind. Proving Sam Godfrey’s guilt initially has to take a back seat to surviving. But not for long.
Before Drew manages to achieve that reckoning he feels is richly deserved, his beloved BMW is torched, he has his nose broken (twice), he tries to convince the police he is not a paedophile, he stays under the radar by sleeping in a rather lurid-looking borrowed car and ditching his smart phone, he learns to use a public library, and he is reduced to finding a dealer to service an inconvenient prescription painkiller addiction, a legacy of being beaten up in a car park.
Drew is a likeable enough character, a little immature (he refers to himself as a spoilt brat), certainly naïve and sometimes careless, but his heart is in the right place, and his strong sense of justice won’t allow him to let Lil’s death go unanswered. His inner monologue is often darkly funny, as is much of the dialogue: “I handed over a thousand bucks. I was pretty sure that would do the trick. ‘Don’t bother mentioning that to the police,’ I said. ‘It’ll only complicate things.’”
Ellery’s expertise in the Australian legal field is apparent on every page, and her skilfully constructed plot offers twists and surprises right up to the final pages. Fast-paced, funny and clever, Ellery’s debut novel is utterly enthralling and more from this author will be eagerly anticipated.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and Fremantle Press.
Lil’s influential brother-in-law, Samuel Godfrey SC is the person Drew believes responsible, but the police have no case. When Drew persists, he is given an unambiguous demonstration of the man’s power to inflict pain of the physical and reputational kind. Proving Sam Godfrey’s guilt initially has to take a back seat to surviving. But not for long.
Before Drew manages to achieve that reckoning he feels is richly deserved, his beloved BMW is torched, he has his nose broken (twice), he tries to convince the police he is not a paedophile, he stays under the radar by sleeping in a rather lurid-looking borrowed car and ditching his smart phone, he learns to use a public library, and he is reduced to finding a dealer to service an inconvenient prescription painkiller addiction, a legacy of being beaten up in a car park.
Drew is a likeable enough character, a little immature (he refers to himself as a spoilt brat), certainly naïve and sometimes careless, but his heart is in the right place, and his strong sense of justice won’t allow him to let Lil’s death go unanswered. His inner monologue is often darkly funny, as is much of the dialogue: “I handed over a thousand bucks. I was pretty sure that would do the trick. ‘Don’t bother mentioning that to the police,’ I said. ‘It’ll only complicate things.’”
Ellery’s expertise in the Australian legal field is apparent on every page, and her skilfully constructed plot offers twists and surprises right up to the final pages. Fast-paced, funny and clever, Ellery’s debut novel is utterly enthralling and more from this author will be eagerly anticipated.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and Fremantle Press.
August 4, 2021
Andrew Deacon is a junior prosecutor at the West Australian DPP. He has a bright future ahead of him. Or at least he did until he hooks up with Lily Constantine for the night. When on the following day Lily is found murdered in her apartment. Andrew finds himself the prime suspect. However he is convinced the murderer is respected barrister Sam Godfrey SC. Even Lily’s parents refuse to believe their son in law Godfrey is responsible. What possible reason could he have to kill her? Though no-one else believes him, Andrew is determined to bring Lily’s killer to justice, even if that means endangering his own life. His only hope is to nail the culprit. He just has to stay alive long enough to do that.
Dark and gritty this book deals with sexual abuse, corruption, abuse of power and drug taking. I didn’t find it an absolutely engrossing read but it did keep calling me back. After twists and turns the resolution when it came, seemed a bit rushed. While I found it interesting to read I never really identified with any of the characters particularly.
The author, Liz Ellery has been a lawyer in the Kalgoorlie- Boulder area. This is her debut novel and I suspect a lot of people are going to relish this book. Thanks to BetterReading and Fremantle Press for my copy to read and review this engaging and recommended read.
Dark and gritty this book deals with sexual abuse, corruption, abuse of power and drug taking. I didn’t find it an absolutely engrossing read but it did keep calling me back. After twists and turns the resolution when it came, seemed a bit rushed. While I found it interesting to read I never really identified with any of the characters particularly.
The author, Liz Ellery has been a lawyer in the Kalgoorlie- Boulder area. This is her debut novel and I suspect a lot of people are going to relish this book. Thanks to BetterReading and Fremantle Press for my copy to read and review this engaging and recommended read.
September 29, 2025
4.5 ⭐️s
The detective work was compelling.
I was hooked from the first page.
Excellent debut!
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by: Bolinda audio
Read by Tamblyn Lord
Duration: 7 hrs 56 min. 1.25x Speed
The detective work was compelling.
I was hooked from the first page.
Excellent debut!
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by: Bolinda audio
Read by Tamblyn Lord
Duration: 7 hrs 56 min. 1.25x Speed
December 17, 2021
Not a very interesting plot, not a very interesting storyline, not a lot of interesting character. Not very well written, could have been a nice compact novella, turned out to be a rather boring mysterynovel.
October 21, 2021
If, like this reader, you're a bit twitchy about "legal" crime fiction, then PRIVATE PROSECUTION could be just the book for you. As the blurb puts it:
"This is a pacy, darkly comic whodunnit with a twist - Andrew knows who did it but the clock is ticking and he has to prove it before he gets himself taken out."
Now I will admit there's something very compelling about Andrew Deacon, when you can't help but avoid the sneaking suspicion that this self-declared "spoilt-brat" shouldn't be as likeable as he is. Deacon is a fascinating case study in male entitlement, turned reluctant, conflicted good guy. I mean you can really see how he'd be miffed at being dragged into a murder investigation; disappointed that his sex life didn't pan out as he wanted; confused about why Lil when he's really attracted to Jessy; applauding his willingness to take some personal damage in pursuit of the truth; and wondering why the hell he just doesn't let sleeping dogs lie. But he's a prosecutor, and the suspect is a defence barrister and maybe there's something... ingrained.... reactionary in his endeavours?
Don't know, either way it's a hell of a ride for Deacon, who starts out not best pleased that his one night stand with the very sexy Lil Constantine didn't lead to a follow up call from her, despite him leaving his number when he snuck out of her apartment in the wee small hours of the morning. To give him points, he's genuinely horrified when it turns out a few hours later she was stabbed to death in a violent, frenzied attack.
Deacon is initially dragged in for questioning, what with him being the last known person to see her alive, and his phone number and undeniable presence in the deathbed, but he's got a rock solid alibi for the time of death, and a strong suspicion about the identity of the murderer. Not that the police agree with him (and about here it gets complicated because one of the cops investigating this murder is Jessy - the woman he'd really like a long-term relationship with), mostly because Deacon's prime suspect has a rock solid alibi as well.
Keeping things well within the legal world, that prime suspect is Lil's brother-in-law, Samuel Godfrey SC. The sort of upstanding defence barrister that Deacon (a junior prosecutor with the Western Australian DPP) could be said to be definitely biased against, but there's something about a call he overheard between Lil and "Sam" and more to the point, there's something about Godfrey that sets off alarm bells over and above those that normally sound when prosecutor and defence go to courtroom war.
Going after Godfrey turns out to be a tricky personal undertaking though, ending up with Deacon on the run from charges related to child pornography; a self-inflicted addiction to powerful painkillers after being beaten to a pulp in a car park; his beloved BMW torched; no smartphone and a series of rather spectacularly retro cars to get around in.
There is an undertone of dry, dark humour throughout PRIVATE PROSECUTION and whilst it does occasionally dip it's toes into courtroom scenes, the novel is mostly about the chase - which starts out with Deacon as prey, and then eventually, through some Herculean efforts on his behalf, and the support of family and friends, he conquers the serpent Godfrey.
PRIVATE PROSECUTION turned out to be a little gem of a novel. It's not very long, and it's a really quick, engaging read with some very unexpected laughs, and some really exciting moments, to say nothing of the ever present question. Will the hero solve the problem, slay the serpent and will the girl even want him after everything she knows he's done?
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
"This is a pacy, darkly comic whodunnit with a twist - Andrew knows who did it but the clock is ticking and he has to prove it before he gets himself taken out."
Now I will admit there's something very compelling about Andrew Deacon, when you can't help but avoid the sneaking suspicion that this self-declared "spoilt-brat" shouldn't be as likeable as he is. Deacon is a fascinating case study in male entitlement, turned reluctant, conflicted good guy. I mean you can really see how he'd be miffed at being dragged into a murder investigation; disappointed that his sex life didn't pan out as he wanted; confused about why Lil when he's really attracted to Jessy; applauding his willingness to take some personal damage in pursuit of the truth; and wondering why the hell he just doesn't let sleeping dogs lie. But he's a prosecutor, and the suspect is a defence barrister and maybe there's something... ingrained.... reactionary in his endeavours?
Don't know, either way it's a hell of a ride for Deacon, who starts out not best pleased that his one night stand with the very sexy Lil Constantine didn't lead to a follow up call from her, despite him leaving his number when he snuck out of her apartment in the wee small hours of the morning. To give him points, he's genuinely horrified when it turns out a few hours later she was stabbed to death in a violent, frenzied attack.
Deacon is initially dragged in for questioning, what with him being the last known person to see her alive, and his phone number and undeniable presence in the deathbed, but he's got a rock solid alibi for the time of death, and a strong suspicion about the identity of the murderer. Not that the police agree with him (and about here it gets complicated because one of the cops investigating this murder is Jessy - the woman he'd really like a long-term relationship with), mostly because Deacon's prime suspect has a rock solid alibi as well.
Keeping things well within the legal world, that prime suspect is Lil's brother-in-law, Samuel Godfrey SC. The sort of upstanding defence barrister that Deacon (a junior prosecutor with the Western Australian DPP) could be said to be definitely biased against, but there's something about a call he overheard between Lil and "Sam" and more to the point, there's something about Godfrey that sets off alarm bells over and above those that normally sound when prosecutor and defence go to courtroom war.
Going after Godfrey turns out to be a tricky personal undertaking though, ending up with Deacon on the run from charges related to child pornography; a self-inflicted addiction to powerful painkillers after being beaten to a pulp in a car park; his beloved BMW torched; no smartphone and a series of rather spectacularly retro cars to get around in.
There is an undertone of dry, dark humour throughout PRIVATE PROSECUTION and whilst it does occasionally dip it's toes into courtroom scenes, the novel is mostly about the chase - which starts out with Deacon as prey, and then eventually, through some Herculean efforts on his behalf, and the support of family and friends, he conquers the serpent Godfrey.
PRIVATE PROSECUTION turned out to be a little gem of a novel. It's not very long, and it's a really quick, engaging read with some very unexpected laughs, and some really exciting moments, to say nothing of the ever present question. Will the hero solve the problem, slay the serpent and will the girl even want him after everything she knows he's done?
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
April 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this. I liked the fact that I recognised all the places where it was set (Perth, WA) and enjoyed the twists up to the very last chapter. Looking forward to reading more of Ellery
September 6, 2022
I was living in Kalgoorlie when Lisa Ellery, a local, released her first book, so I was keen to read it. Given I love crime novels and the law, it was a must read me. It was pretty disappointing: poor story and characters. Honestly, how many times do you need to repeat that a woman was worth nothing and a sleazy because she had a one-night stand? Does the author have an issue with women who enjoy sex, or is she only familiar with men who are regularly derogatory towards women?
I could on about the problem with this book, the writing, the story, the one-dimensional, ridiculous characters, but I can’t be bothered this book anymore.
I could on about the problem with this book, the writing, the story, the one-dimensional, ridiculous characters, but I can’t be bothered this book anymore.
February 21, 2022
This was so unbelievably bad as to be rendered 'unreviewable'. Words just fail me. Ellery is a practicing lawyer and this comes across as nothing more than a useless and clueless vanity project. There is nothing redeemable here, it is staggeringly bad - avoid at all costs.
September 11, 2021
“Private Prosecution” is a relatively short crime novel that nevertheless lands a substantial punch. I enjoyed it a lot.
There’s a whole sub-genre of crime novels that could be described as “lawyer sticks their nose in too far”. This sub-genre thrives in America, but isn’t seen too often in Australia. That makes this novel stand out a little, especially as it’s good enough to stand up with some of the best of the genre.
Andrew Deacon is shattered to discover he’s a suspect in the murder of the woman he spent last night with. It would shake anyone, but it’s particularly distressing when you’re a lawyer in the Department of Public Prosecution. It rather tends to undermine your professional position.
Andrew is quickly cleared of the crime, but it still preys on his mind. He concludes that the victim’s brother in law is responsible for her murder. But he’s Sam Godfrey SC, one of the more powerful lawyers in the state. It’s not easy to get the police or family to believe him, and it’ll be even harder to prove.
Like most crime novels, the basic template will be familiar to anyone who reads a lot in the genre. That rarely matters much in a well written crime novel, and this one is very well written.
Ellery brings a veracity to Andrew’s knowledge of the law and his daily interactions with police and defence lawyers which is presumably born from her own legal background. It’s subtly woven into the story, almost unnoticeably, but it’s important because it helps make the story feel very real.
This is not a whodunnit – it’s a howdunnit, and whydunnit. We know quite early who was responsible for Lily’s death, but it’s a matter of working out how and why, and getting the evidence to convict him.
One minor flaw is that I spotted a part of the “why” very early in the novel, far earlier than I think I was meant to. This took the wind out of the sails of a revelation a hundred pages later. However, there were other aspects I didn’t catch. Ellery will keep most readers absorbed as Andrew slowly unwinds the details of how and why Lily was murdered. I certainly found it hard to put down.
Andrew’s knowledge of the law and the course events are likely to take makes his decisions more realistic and understandable. In some crime novels, I spend a good deal of time wondering why the protagonist doesn’t simply go to the police. Here Andrew’s awareness of the limitations of the police, and what they need in the way of evidence to be effective, means we understand his thought process, and the whole thing seems more credible.
“Private Prosecution” is a relatively short novel, but tightly written and convincingly carried off. It’s one of the better Australian crime novels I’ve read of late. It will appeal most to crime readers, but readers who look for strong characters are also likely to appreciate this.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
This review first appeared on www.beautyandlace.net as part of their bookclub.
There’s a whole sub-genre of crime novels that could be described as “lawyer sticks their nose in too far”. This sub-genre thrives in America, but isn’t seen too often in Australia. That makes this novel stand out a little, especially as it’s good enough to stand up with some of the best of the genre.
Andrew Deacon is shattered to discover he’s a suspect in the murder of the woman he spent last night with. It would shake anyone, but it’s particularly distressing when you’re a lawyer in the Department of Public Prosecution. It rather tends to undermine your professional position.
Andrew is quickly cleared of the crime, but it still preys on his mind. He concludes that the victim’s brother in law is responsible for her murder. But he’s Sam Godfrey SC, one of the more powerful lawyers in the state. It’s not easy to get the police or family to believe him, and it’ll be even harder to prove.
Like most crime novels, the basic template will be familiar to anyone who reads a lot in the genre. That rarely matters much in a well written crime novel, and this one is very well written.
Ellery brings a veracity to Andrew’s knowledge of the law and his daily interactions with police and defence lawyers which is presumably born from her own legal background. It’s subtly woven into the story, almost unnoticeably, but it’s important because it helps make the story feel very real.
This is not a whodunnit – it’s a howdunnit, and whydunnit. We know quite early who was responsible for Lily’s death, but it’s a matter of working out how and why, and getting the evidence to convict him.
One minor flaw is that I spotted a part of the “why” very early in the novel, far earlier than I think I was meant to. This took the wind out of the sails of a revelation a hundred pages later. However, there were other aspects I didn’t catch. Ellery will keep most readers absorbed as Andrew slowly unwinds the details of how and why Lily was murdered. I certainly found it hard to put down.
Andrew’s knowledge of the law and the course events are likely to take makes his decisions more realistic and understandable. In some crime novels, I spend a good deal of time wondering why the protagonist doesn’t simply go to the police. Here Andrew’s awareness of the limitations of the police, and what they need in the way of evidence to be effective, means we understand his thought process, and the whole thing seems more credible.
“Private Prosecution” is a relatively short novel, but tightly written and convincingly carried off. It’s one of the better Australian crime novels I’ve read of late. It will appeal most to crime readers, but readers who look for strong characters are also likely to appreciate this.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
This review first appeared on www.beautyandlace.net as part of their bookclub.
April 21, 2023
Private Prosecution is the first novel by Australian lawyer, former prosecutor and author, Lisa Ellery. The audio version is narrated by Tamblyn Lord. It was meant to be a one-night-stand, although Andrew Deacon, junior prosecutor with Western Australia’s DPP was hoping for more with pretty, sexy Lil Constantine. But the next day she was dead.
Lil’s influential brother-in-law, Samuel Godfrey SC is the person Drew believes responsible, but the police have no case. When Drew persists, he is given an unambiguous demonstration of the man’s power to inflict pain of the physical and reputational kind. Proving Sam Godfrey’s guilt initially has to take a back seat to surviving. But not for long.
Before Drew manages to achieve that reckoning he feels is richly deserved, his beloved BMW is torched, he has his nose broken (twice), he tries to convince the police he is not a paedophile, he stays under the radar by sleeping in a rather lurid-looking borrowed car and ditching his smart phone, he learns to use a public library, and he is reduced to finding a dealer to service an inconvenient prescription painkiller addiction, a legacy of being beaten up in a car park.
Drew is a likeable enough character, a little immature (he refers to himself as a spoilt brat), certainly naïve and sometimes careless, but his heart is in the right place, and his strong sense of justice won’t allow him to let Lil’s death go unanswered. His inner monologue is often darkly funny, as is much of the dialogue: “I handed over a thousand bucks. I was pretty sure that would do the trick. ‘Don’t bother mentioning that to the police,’ I said. ‘It’ll only complicate things.’”
Ellery’s expertise in the Australian legal field is apparent on every page, and her skilfully constructed plot offers twists and surprises right up to the final pages. Fast-paced, funny and clever, Ellery’s debut novel is utterly enthralling and more from this author will be eagerly anticipated.
Lil’s influential brother-in-law, Samuel Godfrey SC is the person Drew believes responsible, but the police have no case. When Drew persists, he is given an unambiguous demonstration of the man’s power to inflict pain of the physical and reputational kind. Proving Sam Godfrey’s guilt initially has to take a back seat to surviving. But not for long.
Before Drew manages to achieve that reckoning he feels is richly deserved, his beloved BMW is torched, he has his nose broken (twice), he tries to convince the police he is not a paedophile, he stays under the radar by sleeping in a rather lurid-looking borrowed car and ditching his smart phone, he learns to use a public library, and he is reduced to finding a dealer to service an inconvenient prescription painkiller addiction, a legacy of being beaten up in a car park.
Drew is a likeable enough character, a little immature (he refers to himself as a spoilt brat), certainly naïve and sometimes careless, but his heart is in the right place, and his strong sense of justice won’t allow him to let Lil’s death go unanswered. His inner monologue is often darkly funny, as is much of the dialogue: “I handed over a thousand bucks. I was pretty sure that would do the trick. ‘Don’t bother mentioning that to the police,’ I said. ‘It’ll only complicate things.’”
Ellery’s expertise in the Australian legal field is apparent on every page, and her skilfully constructed plot offers twists and surprises right up to the final pages. Fast-paced, funny and clever, Ellery’s debut novel is utterly enthralling and more from this author will be eagerly anticipated.
January 23, 2022
Thank you to Fremantle Press for my copy.
This was a fast paced and cracking story for a debut novel! The first third of the book is good and gets you into the main character Andrew, his life and lifestyle. The rest of the book is the nitty gritty, dark in places and builds in pace, turning into a real page turner.
I found the book relatable as it's set in WA, mostly in Perth and some suburbs, which is where I reside. Northridge, the city and Courts get a few mentions, as does Kings Park. I don't think the book needs a trigger warning but there are drugs, illegal and prescription, drug use, dealings and addiction, murder, beatings, blackmail and child exploitation material. There are plenty of twists, but not the kind that are far fetched or ridiculous. The book reminded a little of Chris Hammer's Scrublands, as in there were many layers to the story and just when you think that's it, there's more. The only bit I didn't like that probably would have been better left out of the book was the way Andrew and his brother Rod, regarded some women, one night stands and how "she's nothing".
The author is a lawyer and was raised in Western Australia. Her writing of the legal system is knowledgeable and is a big part of the story, but never too complex or boring.
I really enjoyed the book which wasn't long and drawn out and look forward to the next book by Lisa Ellery.
This was a fast paced and cracking story for a debut novel! The first third of the book is good and gets you into the main character Andrew, his life and lifestyle. The rest of the book is the nitty gritty, dark in places and builds in pace, turning into a real page turner.
I found the book relatable as it's set in WA, mostly in Perth and some suburbs, which is where I reside. Northridge, the city and Courts get a few mentions, as does Kings Park. I don't think the book needs a trigger warning but there are drugs, illegal and prescription, drug use, dealings and addiction, murder, beatings, blackmail and child exploitation material. There are plenty of twists, but not the kind that are far fetched or ridiculous. The book reminded a little of Chris Hammer's Scrublands, as in there were many layers to the story and just when you think that's it, there's more. The only bit I didn't like that probably would have been better left out of the book was the way Andrew and his brother Rod, regarded some women, one night stands and how "she's nothing".
The author is a lawyer and was raised in Western Australia. Her writing of the legal system is knowledgeable and is a big part of the story, but never too complex or boring.
I really enjoyed the book which wasn't long and drawn out and look forward to the next book by Lisa Ellery.
August 16, 2021
"Private Prosecution" by first time novelist and lawyer Lisa Ellery, takes a dive into the criminal underworld, with junior prosecutor, Andrew Deacon, finding himself on the wrong side of the law after a one-night stand implicates him as a suspected killer for a murder. Andrew's journey to find the truth and justice for the murdered girl leads him into a world of gangsters, killers, and corruption at the highest level. His obsession to bring the real perpetrators to light, sees him on the run and in mortal danger, while his relationships with friends, family and work colleagues are left in tatters. Ultimately, he reveals the truth, but at what cost?
Lisa Ellery's knowledge of the law is evident, with detailed descriptions of court proceedings and the inner workings of crime throughout the book. Andrew’s youthful and naïve character is endearing, and we want him to find his way out of a mess for which he is partially responsible. The book begins slowly but picks up pace as the story progresses and the characters develop. A quick and entertaining read.
Thanks to BetterReading and Fremantle Press for my copy to read and review.
Lisa Ellery's knowledge of the law is evident, with detailed descriptions of court proceedings and the inner workings of crime throughout the book. Andrew’s youthful and naïve character is endearing, and we want him to find his way out of a mess for which he is partially responsible. The book begins slowly but picks up pace as the story progresses and the characters develop. A quick and entertaining read.
Thanks to BetterReading and Fremantle Press for my copy to read and review.
November 27, 2021
Andrew Deacon had a bright future working as a junior prosecutor at the Western Australia DDP.
After spending the night with a beautiful stranger Lily Constantine, his future starts looking a little less bright when Lily is found murdered in her apartment the morning after their night together.
Andrew believes he knows who killed her after over hearing a conversation the night before she died, her brother in law and senior western Australian criminal law Barrister Sam Godfrey.
Andrew tells the police everything he knows but that does stop Sam from retaliating and before long Andrew is on the run and has no choice but to prove Sam’s guilt, can he do that before he is taken out?
I didn’t hate this one but I also didn’t love it.
It was an alright read but nothing really stood out about it to be honest.
I thought it was going to be a very addictive read in the first couple of chapters but then it just fell a bit short
I think if you really enjoy crime books with a lot of law talk then you will enjoy this book more than I did
After spending the night with a beautiful stranger Lily Constantine, his future starts looking a little less bright when Lily is found murdered in her apartment the morning after their night together.
Andrew believes he knows who killed her after over hearing a conversation the night before she died, her brother in law and senior western Australian criminal law Barrister Sam Godfrey.
Andrew tells the police everything he knows but that does stop Sam from retaliating and before long Andrew is on the run and has no choice but to prove Sam’s guilt, can he do that before he is taken out?
I didn’t hate this one but I also didn’t love it.
It was an alright read but nothing really stood out about it to be honest.
I thought it was going to be a very addictive read in the first couple of chapters but then it just fell a bit short
I think if you really enjoy crime books with a lot of law talk then you will enjoy this book more than I did
December 27, 2021
Whenever I read a book by a WA author, I want to like it, but will it be good enough? This author even more so, because she grew up in Esperance, which is featured throughout the book.
This book had a great story, some great characters with flaws that made them even more likeable and believable. Main character Andrew, or Drew is very believable as a young, cocky junior prosecutor, he drives a flashy car that shows off his personality. But he also ends up following things through by catching the killer, helping a drug dealer and step mum, and the victim's family.
He also recognises his own failings, such as his growing drug addiction, and what a spoilt brat he is.
I love the accurate use of WA locations such as Dianella, Fremantle, Mirrabooka, St George's Terrace, Esperance and how long it took to get to Esperance!
This book was a surprisingly good page turner, with just the right mix of law, character development, location description, and plot moving swiftly to a conclusion. I really liked it.
This book had a great story, some great characters with flaws that made them even more likeable and believable. Main character Andrew, or Drew is very believable as a young, cocky junior prosecutor, he drives a flashy car that shows off his personality. But he also ends up following things through by catching the killer, helping a drug dealer and step mum, and the victim's family.
He also recognises his own failings, such as his growing drug addiction, and what a spoilt brat he is.
I love the accurate use of WA locations such as Dianella, Fremantle, Mirrabooka, St George's Terrace, Esperance and how long it took to get to Esperance!
This book was a surprisingly good page turner, with just the right mix of law, character development, location description, and plot moving swiftly to a conclusion. I really liked it.
June 16, 2025
Andrew Deacon is an ambitious, up-and-coming junior prosecutor in the WA DPP. He’s shocked to find the police in his office wanting to talk to him about his previous night’s one-night stand, Lily Constantine. Lily has been found dead in her apartment with multiple stab wounds. While it’s clear Lily was murdered after Andrew left her, he thinks he knows who the killer is and feels an obligation to bring them to justice. This sets Andrew on a very dangerous and costly course that might just see him behind bars instead of the murderer, who always seems to be three moves ahead.
I really enjoyed this legal thriller set in Perth, WA. It had lots of enthralling twists, turns and setbacks and Andrew was a great main character, having to keep ahead of the police, the criminals, and the victim’s enraged family. 🎧 Aussie actor Tamblyn Lord was an excellent choice for the audio, he has a great Aussie accent and his voice was just the right age for Andrew. He kept the action and the emotional pace fast and engaging.
I really enjoyed this legal thriller set in Perth, WA. It had lots of enthralling twists, turns and setbacks and Andrew was a great main character, having to keep ahead of the police, the criminals, and the victim’s enraged family. 🎧 Aussie actor Tamblyn Lord was an excellent choice for the audio, he has a great Aussie accent and his voice was just the right age for Andrew. He kept the action and the emotional pace fast and engaging.
October 7, 2025
This book is different from your 'normal' crime novel in so many ways. And by different, I mean better. I have very seldom read a book where the hero was a stubborn and determined lawyer.
Andrew Deacon is a great character, young stud with a heart that he is. I was cheering him on and kept reading because I couldn't see how he was going to get through. In fact, he would pick the most mad and dangerous thing to do next! It would make you almost groan, because you know it's not going to work. But it often does. He even planned to get himself beaten up so he could leave some blood on the carpet for forensics!! And he matures as the book progresses. He's an original, the plot is original, the pace is intense and I love Lisa's writing!
In fact, all the characters are fully rounded. Even the criminals are not all bad, especially when there's something for them in it. But I just did not think it would end well and it did!! Oh my gosh, I'm buying the new on of Lisa's at our writers' festival where she's appearing.
Andrew Deacon is a great character, young stud with a heart that he is. I was cheering him on and kept reading because I couldn't see how he was going to get through. In fact, he would pick the most mad and dangerous thing to do next! It would make you almost groan, because you know it's not going to work. But it often does. He even planned to get himself beaten up so he could leave some blood on the carpet for forensics!! And he matures as the book progresses. He's an original, the plot is original, the pace is intense and I love Lisa's writing!
In fact, all the characters are fully rounded. Even the criminals are not all bad, especially when there's something for them in it. But I just did not think it would end well and it did!! Oh my gosh, I'm buying the new on of Lisa's at our writers' festival where she's appearing.
August 12, 2021
Loved it. Fast paced and a page turner.
Set in Perth, Western Australia. A debut novel where the author's legal experience is evident throughout.
Andrew Deacon, a junior prosecutor, has a one night stand that throws his life into chaos. He becomes prime suspect for murder. The more he tries to prove his innocence and bring the killer to justice, the more his life spirals out of control, because the murderer has no intention of being exposed.
Andrew's sense of justice and 'doing the right thing' puts him in danger. Will he succeed before the killer silences him permanently?
The characters are believable, some a little quirky. Andrew struggles with immaturity, knowing he needs to grow up, but on the other hand ...
Particularly like Russ, Andrew's running partner - 'You never feel so alive as when you're nearly dead'.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Thank you to Better Reading and Freemantle Press for my copy to read and review.
Set in Perth, Western Australia. A debut novel where the author's legal experience is evident throughout.
Andrew Deacon, a junior prosecutor, has a one night stand that throws his life into chaos. He becomes prime suspect for murder. The more he tries to prove his innocence and bring the killer to justice, the more his life spirals out of control, because the murderer has no intention of being exposed.
Andrew's sense of justice and 'doing the right thing' puts him in danger. Will he succeed before the killer silences him permanently?
The characters are believable, some a little quirky. Andrew struggles with immaturity, knowing he needs to grow up, but on the other hand ...
Particularly like Russ, Andrew's running partner - 'You never feel so alive as when you're nearly dead'.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Thank you to Better Reading and Freemantle Press for my copy to read and review.
August 17, 2021
Andrew Deacon, a junior prosecutor, meets the attractive Lil Constantine at a bar late one evening. They spend the night together at Lil's apartment. The next morning Andrew wakes up early to go to work and leaves a note with his phone number. Within hours of his departure Lil is found dead and Andrew is the prime suspect. In his interview with the the police he remembers a phone conversation Lil had with someone called Sam. Andrew is cleared of her murder because he has a rock solid alibi. He suspects Lil's brother-in-law, Sam Godfrey SC, a well respected barrister. Andrew is determined to find Lil's killer and bring Sam to justice. He feels he owes it to her and her family as he was the last person to see her alive. Andrew is given a warning late one night when he is attacked by three men in a deserted carpark. There are lots of twists and turns as he takes matters into his own hands. I found Andrew a little annoying at times when he made a lot of really stupid decisions. I found this a good debut novel my Lisa Ellery and an easy read. Thank you to Better Reading and Freemantle press for giving me this opportunity to read and preview.
August 18, 2021
Private Prosecution by Australian author & lawyer Lisa Ellery is her first book & reminds me a lot of the Eddie Flynn series by Steve Cavanagh.
After finishing 6 books of Eddie Flynn I was glad to get an advance copy of Private Prosecution & I wasn’t disappointed.
A one night stand turns Andrew Deacons life upside down as he’s first suspected of Lily Constantine death & then once cleared goes on a missing to find the killer.
This book deals with a lot of dark subjects but it just adds to an already amazing book.
The information in the book is so detailed you can see Lisa legal knowledge shining through.
I would highly recommend Private Prosecution to anyone who like a good mystery & our hero going all out to find the killer.
Lisa Ellery is the new legal author for Australia that I’m hoping will have many more books in the future.
Thank you so much Better Readings for the advance copy.
After finishing 6 books of Eddie Flynn I was glad to get an advance copy of Private Prosecution & I wasn’t disappointed.
A one night stand turns Andrew Deacons life upside down as he’s first suspected of Lily Constantine death & then once cleared goes on a missing to find the killer.
This book deals with a lot of dark subjects but it just adds to an already amazing book.
The information in the book is so detailed you can see Lisa legal knowledge shining through.
I would highly recommend Private Prosecution to anyone who like a good mystery & our hero going all out to find the killer.
Lisa Ellery is the new legal author for Australia that I’m hoping will have many more books in the future.
Thank you so much Better Readings for the advance copy.
August 19, 2021
As mentioned in the description, this is slightly different to a whodunnit as the main character, Drew, thinks he knows who killed his one-night stand, so the story is more about him trying to prove it and keep himself out of harm’s way. Despite this, there was still plenty of twists and turns and a lot going on throughout the book to keep your attention and keep you guessing. The characters came across as very real, as though, apart from the obvious “baddies” most of them were just normal people, making the story more realistic. It was a good concept that the main character was a prosecutor as this brought a bit of court room action into the story making it more than just an investigative thriller. I also enjoyed the fact that this book is set in is set in my hometown of Perth, Western Australia. It was nice to read about places I am familiar with, it made it easier to picture exactly what was going on in the story and where. All in all, an enjoyable, fast-paced debut crime novel.
August 25, 2021
Lisa Ellery's Private Prosecution is a thoroughly enjoyable legal drama full of high flying barristers, murder, drug dealers, and hitmen. Andrew Deacon, state prosecutor finds himself unexpectedly a prime murder suspect. He embarks on a mission of self preservation and justice for Lil, encountering plenty of shady and despicable characters along the way. Near single handedly solving a bevy of crimes and nearly losing everything, this is quite a ride.
Andrew is a likeable protagonist, and the characters of Lil, Jessy, Rod and Russ well drawn and engaging. My only negative was that I found Andrew's statement that Lil was 'nothing' to him a little grating, but otherwise it was a fast paced legal drama which proved very difficult to put down through the second half.
Thanks to Better Reading and Fremantle Press for the ARC. I would highly recommend Private Prosecution and look forward to more quality novels from Lisa Ellery.
Andrew is a likeable protagonist, and the characters of Lil, Jessy, Rod and Russ well drawn and engaging. My only negative was that I found Andrew's statement that Lil was 'nothing' to him a little grating, but otherwise it was a fast paced legal drama which proved very difficult to put down through the second half.
Thanks to Better Reading and Fremantle Press for the ARC. I would highly recommend Private Prosecution and look forward to more quality novels from Lisa Ellery.
December 14, 2025
I love a character that frustrates me. Andrew Deacon is that character - a young, talented junior prosecutor who keeps sticking his nose into a police investigation that he should probably not be sticking his nose into.
He is initially the primary suspect in a murder case, Andrew knows he didn't do it, but he is sure he knows who did - an incredibly well-placed and highly respected barrister, Sam Godfrey SC. No-one is going to believe Andrew, so he sets out to prove everyone, including the police, wrong.
This action puts his own life in danger and despite the threats, he keeps on in his pursuit of Godfrey, despite now being on the run from the police and facing some pretty dire personal circumstances.
You can tell Lisa Ellery is a lawyer, as she writes with authenticity and authority. It is a fast-paced, fascinating, and at times frustrating (Andrew!) story. Lots of tension. Hard to put down.
He is initially the primary suspect in a murder case, Andrew knows he didn't do it, but he is sure he knows who did - an incredibly well-placed and highly respected barrister, Sam Godfrey SC. No-one is going to believe Andrew, so he sets out to prove everyone, including the police, wrong.
This action puts his own life in danger and despite the threats, he keeps on in his pursuit of Godfrey, despite now being on the run from the police and facing some pretty dire personal circumstances.
You can tell Lisa Ellery is a lawyer, as she writes with authenticity and authority. It is a fast-paced, fascinating, and at times frustrating (Andrew!) story. Lots of tension. Hard to put down.
August 15, 2021
I was given an advance copy by Fremantle Press and appreciate the opportunity to discover a new talent. After a one-night stand, Andrew leaves his phone number at Lil's place and becomes the main suspect when Lil gets brutally murdered (I was not impressed when during the police interview he states that she was nothing to him, a bit cold, I reckoned). Andrew then chases up a lead that makes him think Lil's brother-in-law, Sam (a barrister) is the murderer and Andrew makes lots of remarkably stupid decisions down the track. Mid book, I really started to get annoyed with Andrew's behavior - spoiler alert - especially when he leaves the hospital early and keeps on taking Vicodin even though he was told not not. Luckily his attitude changes and the story keeps on unfolding nicely with a couple of surprises. A satisfying ending, I thought - all comes together.
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July 31, 2021A chance meeting at a pub led to a one night stand but less than 24 hours later one of them had been murdered.Andrew was immediately suspected as his phone number was found on a slip of paper but after further investigatio n he was found to have a rock solid alibi .With his job as a junior prosecutor with the Western Australia DPP he tries to investigate the why and whom of Lils death as he thinks he owes her family as he was the last person to see her alive.Someone doesnt want him to find out and as well as getting bashed up;being framed for something he didnt do and having his life turned upside down he keeps hanging in there.Fortunately in the end justice prevails.A fantastic debut novel by this author.
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August 12, 2021Private Prosecution by Lisa Ellery is a fast-paced narrative about a likeable junior prosecutor, Andrew. He has a one-night stand with a woman who is then discovered brutally murdered in her apartment, only hours after his departure. The story moves through several twists and turns, where we meet a lot of other characters - many who are not so likable. Andrew is determined to prove he wasn’t the murderer and takes himself to some pretty dark places to do so.
This is a well-written book with plenty of action and dialogue. It is set in the city of Perth, but has a touch of New York Crime story and LAPD-style about it. I would recommend this one to anyone who loves a crime-drama, and fans of the law’s ins and outs. A well-written debut novel by this author.
This is a well-written book with plenty of action and dialogue. It is set in the city of Perth, but has a touch of New York Crime story and LAPD-style about it. I would recommend this one to anyone who loves a crime-drama, and fans of the law’s ins and outs. A well-written debut novel by this author.
August 6, 2021
Fantastic! A fast paced riveting read.
This book was suspenseful with realistic characters and kept me up late on a few nights.
Set in Perth WA and written by a lawyer who grew up in the area, Lisa has woven a fine tale drawing on her experience and knowledge of the area and the law.
I would highly recommend this read and will be looking forward to more offerings from this author.
Thanks to Better Reading and Freemantle Press who both know a great book when they see it.
This book was suspenseful with realistic characters and kept me up late on a few nights.
Set in Perth WA and written by a lawyer who grew up in the area, Lisa has woven a fine tale drawing on her experience and knowledge of the area and the law.
I would highly recommend this read and will be looking forward to more offerings from this author.
Thanks to Better Reading and Freemantle Press who both know a great book when they see it.
August 23, 2021
In this slow-burn Australian crime thriller, Andrew Deacon, a junior prosecutor, throws himself into finding out who killed his one night stand.
Filled with lawyers, the court system, a 'silk' that seems squeaky clean, and situations that land Deacon deep into dangerous situations, Private Prosecution is a thriller that will make you think twice about investigating the next mystery that comes your way.
Filled with lawyers, the court system, a 'silk' that seems squeaky clean, and situations that land Deacon deep into dangerous situations, Private Prosecution is a thriller that will make you think twice about investigating the next mystery that comes your way.
October 23, 2021
Fremantle Press in Western Australia nurtures an impressive stable of Australian crime writers. Lisa Ellery is the latest addition to the ranks. Her legal background adds authenticity to the novel's Public Prosecutor's office setting without bogging down in procedural detail, around which she spins a riveting murder mystery sans mystery - we know from the start who the villain is. Bringing him to justice is another matter!
September 24, 2021
Great crime thriller. Very well written, with plenty of plot twists & well crafted - bringing together multiple story lines into a cohesive finale. Clearly written by someone who knows Australian legal process - which added to the authenticity (but sometimes felt like a crime procedure lecture). Fast paced & highly recommended
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