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Defending Elton
CALLING ALL CRIME FICTION FANS...
TV scriptwriter TJ Cooke has come up with a highly original story, and a gripping plot.
DEFENDING ELTON is one of the most original and inventive crime fiction novels of recent years. It is a thrilling murder mystery, where the onus is less on 'who done it?' and more on 'will he get away with it?'
The scene is set by the murder of the enigmatic beauty Sarena.
London Lawyer Jim Harwood is tasked with defending the man accused of stabbing her and pushing her off a cliff, but nothing in this crime fiction tale is quite what it seems.
Somebody is trying to manipulate Elton's trial, and they might just get away with murder... but as we are about to discover 'playing with truth can be a very dangerous game...'
Described as a ‘devilishly clever and inventive tale’ and a ‘tense and edgy thriller’ Defending Elton is full of neat twists and turns, which keep you guessing how things will turn out, right to the unexpected end. Fay Samuels
FURTHER REVIEW QUOTES:
"A compulsive thriller, built around a crime whose details are revealed layer by layer as the tale progresses. I hadn’t heard of TJ Cooke before; it’s a pleasure to discover a new crime writer of such talent. Tim Vicary – Author
"Defending Elton is beautifully constructed, with an intricate and coherent plot propelled by complex and believable characters. In short it’s one hell of a story, by a masterful writer of suspense." Mary Maddox – Author
"I love a good book, and Defending Elton certainly is one. No sluggish passive writing here, the prose has you right in the action, just as a good book should. Nothing short of brilliant. I highly recommend it." Tahlia Newland – Author
"What keeps you turning the pages faster and faster is the mystery of WHY Jim Harwood did what he did, and whether he will literally ‘get away with murder’. An inventive and ingenious narrative." Ms R. Keys – Literary Editor
"Stylish and original. Memorable characters, especially the hapless Elton. An extraordinary crime fiction tale" Broo Doherty – Literary Agent
REVIEW HERE FROM CRIMEFICTIONLOVER.COM - http://www.crimefictionlover.com/2013... …
TV scriptwriter TJ Cooke has come up with a highly original story, and a gripping plot.
DEFENDING ELTON is one of the most original and inventive crime fiction novels of recent years. It is a thrilling murder mystery, where the onus is less on 'who done it?' and more on 'will he get away with it?'
The scene is set by the murder of the enigmatic beauty Sarena.
London Lawyer Jim Harwood is tasked with defending the man accused of stabbing her and pushing her off a cliff, but nothing in this crime fiction tale is quite what it seems.
Somebody is trying to manipulate Elton's trial, and they might just get away with murder... but as we are about to discover 'playing with truth can be a very dangerous game...'
Described as a ‘devilishly clever and inventive tale’ and a ‘tense and edgy thriller’ Defending Elton is full of neat twists and turns, which keep you guessing how things will turn out, right to the unexpected end. Fay Samuels
FURTHER REVIEW QUOTES:
"A compulsive thriller, built around a crime whose details are revealed layer by layer as the tale progresses. I hadn’t heard of TJ Cooke before; it’s a pleasure to discover a new crime writer of such talent. Tim Vicary – Author
"Defending Elton is beautifully constructed, with an intricate and coherent plot propelled by complex and believable characters. In short it’s one hell of a story, by a masterful writer of suspense." Mary Maddox – Author
"I love a good book, and Defending Elton certainly is one. No sluggish passive writing here, the prose has you right in the action, just as a good book should. Nothing short of brilliant. I highly recommend it." Tahlia Newland – Author
"What keeps you turning the pages faster and faster is the mystery of WHY Jim Harwood did what he did, and whether he will literally ‘get away with murder’. An inventive and ingenious narrative." Ms R. Keys – Literary Editor
"Stylish and original. Memorable characters, especially the hapless Elton. An extraordinary crime fiction tale" Broo Doherty – Literary Agent
REVIEW HERE FROM CRIMEFICTIONLOVER.COM - http://www.crimefictionlover.com/2013... …
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2013
6 people want to read
About the author
T.J. Cooke
3 books17 followersTJCooke [Tim] was formerly a legal executive and advisor to the BBC's Eastenders. Since then he has dovetailed his career between advertising copywriting, freelance journalism and screenwriting.
His debut novel 'Kiss and Tell' introduces us to Jill Shadow, a criminal lawyer who doesn't fit the mould. From a working class background, Jill is a committed and industrious lawyer, who has many of the hallmarks of a tenacious investigator. She has a streetwise edge, an inbuilt sense of justice and a warm heart.
Tim has written many hours of broadcast drama, notching up writing credits for some of UK's most popular series, including London's Burning, The Bill and Bad Girls. Tim also wrote for Madson starring Ian McShane and Dreamteam, which follows the ups and downs of a fictitious premiership football club. He also worked on a number of overseas projects including the setting up of Eastern Europe's first daily serial drama.
Tim has written numerous television and radio commercials for a variety of well known companies. He is Creative Director at Sounds Sorted, www.soundssorted.co.uk
Tim currently lives in Devon. His hobbies include cricket, badminton and table tennis, which he enjoys with varying degrees of success.
For further details, and to follow his blog, please visit tjcooke.com or follow the author on twitter timscribe@timcooke
His debut novel 'Kiss and Tell' introduces us to Jill Shadow, a criminal lawyer who doesn't fit the mould. From a working class background, Jill is a committed and industrious lawyer, who has many of the hallmarks of a tenacious investigator. She has a streetwise edge, an inbuilt sense of justice and a warm heart.
Tim has written many hours of broadcast drama, notching up writing credits for some of UK's most popular series, including London's Burning, The Bill and Bad Girls. Tim also wrote for Madson starring Ian McShane and Dreamteam, which follows the ups and downs of a fictitious premiership football club. He also worked on a number of overseas projects including the setting up of Eastern Europe's first daily serial drama.
Tim has written numerous television and radio commercials for a variety of well known companies. He is Creative Director at Sounds Sorted, www.soundssorted.co.uk
Tim currently lives in Devon. His hobbies include cricket, badminton and table tennis, which he enjoys with varying degrees of success.
For further details, and to follow his blog, please visit tjcooke.com or follow the author on twitter timscribe@timcooke
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 10, 2013
I agree with everything Mary says... this is an outstanding book and surely one which will feature in crime fiction fans favorites as the author becomes more known.
What an inventive narrative it is. I love the way the two strands weave in and out and how it all comes together at the end. In fact so much about this book is inventive, it doesn't give you any of the usual cliches and constantly surprises.
I absolutely loved the character of Elton, and often felt for him. Strangely enough the author manages to get you to feel for narrator Jim too, despite his awful deeds! All the characters are strong, without exception, and this coupled with a plot that just won't let you stop reading is what makes it so enjoyable.
Just one other thing. Cooke delivers atmosphere too. Some of the scenes were so vivid. So all in all a big vote for this.
What an inventive narrative it is. I love the way the two strands weave in and out and how it all comes together at the end. In fact so much about this book is inventive, it doesn't give you any of the usual cliches and constantly surprises.
I absolutely loved the character of Elton, and often felt for him. Strangely enough the author manages to get you to feel for narrator Jim too, despite his awful deeds! All the characters are strong, without exception, and this coupled with a plot that just won't let you stop reading is what makes it so enjoyable.
Just one other thing. Cooke delivers atmosphere too. Some of the scenes were so vivid. So all in all a big vote for this.
April 5, 2013
In his legal thriller DEFENDING ELTON, TJ Cooke takes on formidable challenges.
His protagonist is a British solicitor who sets out to frame a mentally challenged client, Elton, for a murder that he himself committed. How can readers sympathize with a guy like that? Yet Cooke succeeds in evoking not just a grudging understanding of Jim Harwood's motives, but empathy and hope that his life will take a turn for the good.
Read the entire review on my blog, Ancient Children http://www.ancientchildren.com/?p=1063
His protagonist is a British solicitor who sets out to frame a mentally challenged client, Elton, for a murder that he himself committed. How can readers sympathize with a guy like that? Yet Cooke succeeds in evoking not just a grudging understanding of Jim Harwood's motives, but empathy and hope that his life will take a turn for the good.
Read the entire review on my blog, Ancient Children http://www.ancientchildren.com/?p=1063
December 6, 2021
AIBA Book of the Day: 6 December, 2021: 339/41456
Awesome Indies Book Awards is pleased to include DEFENDING ELTON by T.J. COOKE in the library of Awesome Indies' Badge of Approval recipient.
December 4, 2013
Excellent read - unusual structure, a protagonist you are never quite sure about, a courtroom drama with added mystery. I really enjoyed this and read it in just a day and a half.
April 17, 2013
I love a good book, and this certainly is one. I truly can't fault it, and not only is it a good story with an interesting twist on the usual kind of murder mystery, it makes a statement as well, a couple of them, actually.
Most murder mysteries are set up so that we and the detectives are searching for the killer, but here, we know who the killer is, and we're wondering if he's going to get caught. Not only that, but we know that the guy who's up on the murder charge is being framed. Will he get done for something he didn't do, and will the real murderer crack under the strain of guilt? These are the questions that keep us reading, and Mr Cooke writes his characters so well that I felt deeply for both Elton and Jim. Could they both get out of this mess without going to jail for life? On top of that, the girl who ends up in a sack in the ocean, is a bit of a mystery herself, and we only fill in the missing pieces with a delightful and totally unexpected twist near the end. So it's different. It's also well-written, no sluggish passive writing here, the prose has you right in the action, and there's nothing extraneous, just as a good book should be.
And the statements? They're about mental health and the justice system. Elton, the accused, is mentally challenged (is that the correct term these days?) and is easily manipulated so that he is found with the blood of the murder victim and fibres from her dress on his sweat shirt. We see how he has had a series of incidents that has landed him in trouble with the police, and to the detriment of couple of young ladies and shop owners. It's obvious that Elton is not getting the kind of treatment he needs under the 'community care' system, because, as Jim tells us, there is no community and no care.
Jim, Elton's solicitor and the guy who did actually push the hapless Serena over the cliff, also has mental illness problems, however, he gets by - just. A few Basil Brush hallucinations and an alter-ego voice in his head come out to play when he's stressed, but other than that he manages to hold it all together. An interesting point is that Jim actually cares for Elton, a big, bumbling, kind of sweet and strangely innocent person; he figures that if he goes down for Serena's murder, he should end up in a hospital where he'll get the diagnosis and treatment he needs. So, yeah, the inference is that if you've got a mental illness, you need to commit murder to get the treatment you need. There is definitely a point made about the nature of the mental health system.
As for the justice system, we are told that Serena is studying in Britain because it's the 'best justice system in the world' and yet, the very reason Jim is doing what he's doing ie framing Elton, is because, as a solicitor, he knows how the system works, and he knows that he has bucklys chance of having the actual truth accepted as truth, and is pretty sure that the lies will be accepted without question because it's convenient for everyone to do so - everyone except Elton.
The end was as unexpected as it was clever. The events tied up the story beautifully with something you might call a literary smirk, then the author left us with a poignant ending that could be read a couple of different ways. Very clever Mr Cooke.
Truly, this is nothing short of brilliant. I highly recommend it.
I received this book free of charge from the author in return for an honest review.
Most murder mysteries are set up so that we and the detectives are searching for the killer, but here, we know who the killer is, and we're wondering if he's going to get caught. Not only that, but we know that the guy who's up on the murder charge is being framed. Will he get done for something he didn't do, and will the real murderer crack under the strain of guilt? These are the questions that keep us reading, and Mr Cooke writes his characters so well that I felt deeply for both Elton and Jim. Could they both get out of this mess without going to jail for life? On top of that, the girl who ends up in a sack in the ocean, is a bit of a mystery herself, and we only fill in the missing pieces with a delightful and totally unexpected twist near the end. So it's different. It's also well-written, no sluggish passive writing here, the prose has you right in the action, and there's nothing extraneous, just as a good book should be.
And the statements? They're about mental health and the justice system. Elton, the accused, is mentally challenged (is that the correct term these days?) and is easily manipulated so that he is found with the blood of the murder victim and fibres from her dress on his sweat shirt. We see how he has had a series of incidents that has landed him in trouble with the police, and to the detriment of couple of young ladies and shop owners. It's obvious that Elton is not getting the kind of treatment he needs under the 'community care' system, because, as Jim tells us, there is no community and no care.
Jim, Elton's solicitor and the guy who did actually push the hapless Serena over the cliff, also has mental illness problems, however, he gets by - just. A few Basil Brush hallucinations and an alter-ego voice in his head come out to play when he's stressed, but other than that he manages to hold it all together. An interesting point is that Jim actually cares for Elton, a big, bumbling, kind of sweet and strangely innocent person; he figures that if he goes down for Serena's murder, he should end up in a hospital where he'll get the diagnosis and treatment he needs. So, yeah, the inference is that if you've got a mental illness, you need to commit murder to get the treatment you need. There is definitely a point made about the nature of the mental health system.
As for the justice system, we are told that Serena is studying in Britain because it's the 'best justice system in the world' and yet, the very reason Jim is doing what he's doing ie framing Elton, is because, as a solicitor, he knows how the system works, and he knows that he has bucklys chance of having the actual truth accepted as truth, and is pretty sure that the lies will be accepted without question because it's convenient for everyone to do so - everyone except Elton.
The end was as unexpected as it was clever. The events tied up the story beautifully with something you might call a literary smirk, then the author left us with a poignant ending that could be read a couple of different ways. Very clever Mr Cooke.
Truly, this is nothing short of brilliant. I highly recommend it.
I received this book free of charge from the author in return for an honest review.
January 11, 2014
It’s a true and tragic fact in societies worldwide that human beings with mental illness and/or developmental disabilities can be grossly mistreated, even abused, by the very systems that are supposed to protect them. In Defending Elton, TJ Cooke skillfully paints a picture of what this is like for the people involved.
Cooke’s novel is unique among crime novels. Defending Elton is not about the investigation into who committed a heinous murder. In fact, the answer is known from the start. In an intriguing twist to the traditional whodunit, Cooke’s focus is on who-can-be-framed.
Elton Spears is a man living in community care for psychiatric reasons. It’s never made clear exactly what Elton’s psychiatric condition is, but it is crystal clear that he is unable to live independently. Initially I wanted to know just what Elton was living with and specifically how life was challenging for him. As I read, though, I came to realize that the vagueness of Elton’s condition creates universality. This is not a novel that shows how people with a very specific mental illness or developmental disability can be abused by the system. Rather, it allows the reader to experience how such horrible mistreatment affects all such people.
Defending Elton is a novel that grabbed me and made me want to keep reading. I was a bit surprised at myself for this, but I even found myself attached to the murderer, the man who tries to pin the murder on the vulnerable Elton. Sure, Jim Harwood is a murderer, but he’s one with empathy and remorse. Adding depth to the story, Cooke interweaves the lives of Elton and Jim long before the murder and the blame occur. Of course Jim’s framing Elton is not at all okay, but Jim’s sorrow and regret are so intense that he himself begins to exhibit signs of mental illness.
TJ Cooke’s Defending Elton is a shrewd commentary on human nature cleverly disguised as a crime novel. Crime novel indeed, but the main focus is on justice: for the victim, for the accuser, and especially for the accused. Reading this novel was well worth my time.
Cooke’s novel is unique among crime novels. Defending Elton is not about the investigation into who committed a heinous murder. In fact, the answer is known from the start. In an intriguing twist to the traditional whodunit, Cooke’s focus is on who-can-be-framed.
Elton Spears is a man living in community care for psychiatric reasons. It’s never made clear exactly what Elton’s psychiatric condition is, but it is crystal clear that he is unable to live independently. Initially I wanted to know just what Elton was living with and specifically how life was challenging for him. As I read, though, I came to realize that the vagueness of Elton’s condition creates universality. This is not a novel that shows how people with a very specific mental illness or developmental disability can be abused by the system. Rather, it allows the reader to experience how such horrible mistreatment affects all such people.
Defending Elton is a novel that grabbed me and made me want to keep reading. I was a bit surprised at myself for this, but I even found myself attached to the murderer, the man who tries to pin the murder on the vulnerable Elton. Sure, Jim Harwood is a murderer, but he’s one with empathy and remorse. Adding depth to the story, Cooke interweaves the lives of Elton and Jim long before the murder and the blame occur. Of course Jim’s framing Elton is not at all okay, but Jim’s sorrow and regret are so intense that he himself begins to exhibit signs of mental illness.
TJ Cooke’s Defending Elton is a shrewd commentary on human nature cleverly disguised as a crime novel. Crime novel indeed, but the main focus is on justice: for the victim, for the accuser, and especially for the accused. Reading this novel was well worth my time.
March 22, 2013
I liked this author's debut novel 'Kiss and Tell', but I liked 'Defending Elton' even more.
This is a really cleverly plotted crime fiction story, and quite unlike anything else I've previously read. I'm sure I won't be the last to comment on its inventiveness and originality... which is something the genre doesn't always deliver.
The protagonist Jim Harwood is a lawyer with dubious morals, and a troubled past, one beset by tragedy. It makes him awkward and flippant at times, but somehow the author manages to persuade you not only to like him, but to root for him, despite the awful thing he has done.
That 'awful thing' is to frame one of his own clients, the unfortunate Elton Spears. In fact he doesn't just frame him, for a murder which Jim thinks he would otherwise be held responsible for himself, but then goes on to represent him at trial. Wicked!
Jim is a truly fascinating character, as are many others in the book, including the beguiling Sarena, with whom he falls in love. The atmosphere of the courtroom and the various police stations and prisons are portrayed with great confidence and authenticity. Despite the extraordinary goings on you could easily believe that something so awful could actually happen. Not only is this a great plot, and a well told story, but beneath the dark humour lies a serious and thought provoking message.
I have to say I enjoyed this read as much as any during the last year. It keeps you intrigued right from the opening at Elton's trial, through all the twists and turns of the story, to the rewarding end. Very highly recommended.
This is a really cleverly plotted crime fiction story, and quite unlike anything else I've previously read. I'm sure I won't be the last to comment on its inventiveness and originality... which is something the genre doesn't always deliver.
The protagonist Jim Harwood is a lawyer with dubious morals, and a troubled past, one beset by tragedy. It makes him awkward and flippant at times, but somehow the author manages to persuade you not only to like him, but to root for him, despite the awful thing he has done.
That 'awful thing' is to frame one of his own clients, the unfortunate Elton Spears. In fact he doesn't just frame him, for a murder which Jim thinks he would otherwise be held responsible for himself, but then goes on to represent him at trial. Wicked!
Jim is a truly fascinating character, as are many others in the book, including the beguiling Sarena, with whom he falls in love. The atmosphere of the courtroom and the various police stations and prisons are portrayed with great confidence and authenticity. Despite the extraordinary goings on you could easily believe that something so awful could actually happen. Not only is this a great plot, and a well told story, but beneath the dark humour lies a serious and thought provoking message.
I have to say I enjoyed this read as much as any during the last year. It keeps you intrigued right from the opening at Elton's trial, through all the twists and turns of the story, to the rewarding end. Very highly recommended.
July 31, 2014
A very different crime novel, where a solicitor attempts to cover up a murder by blaming a client with mental health problems - to the point of representing him at the trial!
There are two parallel threads - in the present, preparing for court and at the Old Bailey, and in the past, leading up to the murder and its aftermath. Little pieces of the puzzle emerge from the two timeframes, building up to a surprise conclusion. Odd diversions in the narrative turn out to be of the greatest significance, and I like how it all slotted together to form a cohesive whole.
The morally grey tone of the book made me uncomfortable, but I think that was the point. Jim isn't an easy man to know, and that comes across in his voice. He has a difficult past and knows the legal system, how it can potentially screw him over and how to play the game for the best outcome. While he may not have much luck at the bookies, he tries his hand at gambling with both his and Elton's futures.
If you like crime fiction where there are no good guys, the lawyers and criminals are virtually indistinguishable, and taking a refreshingly honest look at criminal justive and mental health provision, this is the book for you.
There are two parallel threads - in the present, preparing for court and at the Old Bailey, and in the past, leading up to the murder and its aftermath. Little pieces of the puzzle emerge from the two timeframes, building up to a surprise conclusion. Odd diversions in the narrative turn out to be of the greatest significance, and I like how it all slotted together to form a cohesive whole.
The morally grey tone of the book made me uncomfortable, but I think that was the point. Jim isn't an easy man to know, and that comes across in his voice. He has a difficult past and knows the legal system, how it can potentially screw him over and how to play the game for the best outcome. While he may not have much luck at the bookies, he tries his hand at gambling with both his and Elton's futures.
If you like crime fiction where there are no good guys, the lawyers and criminals are virtually indistinguishable, and taking a refreshingly honest look at criminal justive and mental health provision, this is the book for you.
August 16, 2013
A solicitor breaking the law himself and then using his own defendant in order to cover up the crime is an intriguing story-line
There could well be an element of autobiographical content in the narrative of the childhood of Jim Harwood the solicitor, or is just that well written?
The changes to italics for alternating chapters become irksome after a while and of course italic font is not as easy to read.
Elton is obviously a lost soul continuously failed by various institutions; there must be many real Elton’s around who are just allowed to drift without proper help. That said Jim Harwood is not very far from a lost soul himself.
Sarena did not feature enough, and I never quite figured her out, very disturbing that her murder remained unsolved.
At the end, if he actually jumped off the cliff, what was the point?
There could well be an element of autobiographical content in the narrative of the childhood of Jim Harwood the solicitor, or is just that well written?
The changes to italics for alternating chapters become irksome after a while and of course italic font is not as easy to read.
Elton is obviously a lost soul continuously failed by various institutions; there must be many real Elton’s around who are just allowed to drift without proper help. That said Jim Harwood is not very far from a lost soul himself.
Sarena did not feature enough, and I never quite figured her out, very disturbing that her murder remained unsolved.
At the end, if he actually jumped off the cliff, what was the point?
April 25, 2013
Defending Elton is not a who-dun-it but more like a how-will-they-not-be-suspected.
For me this was a mystery inside a mystery where I was not quite sure what’s hanging around the corner. On occasions I thought the characters were a bit flat but the plot never lost its energy as it drove me to the final chapter.
For being a good read it gets 3.5 stars from me.
For me this was a mystery inside a mystery where I was not quite sure what’s hanging around the corner. On occasions I thought the characters were a bit flat but the plot never lost its energy as it drove me to the final chapter.
For being a good read it gets 3.5 stars from me.
May 12, 2014
Since when do you read a crime thriller from the point of view of the killer and enjoy it immensely? TJ Cooke has pulled off this rare feat with Defending Elton, a real page turner of a mystery. The characterisation is really well imagined, especially of the mentally challenged Elton who is being set up to take the fall by his own lawyer! What a premise!
December 27, 2013
Less of a whodunit , More of a 'will he really get away with it?'
Elton Spears is accused of murder, but it's his solicitor Jim Harwood who really holds the key to the mystery. The book switches time frames so we learn more about Jim, the victim Sarena and how the downward spiral began. An interesting view of a court system where it seems that truth isn't the most important thing.
Elton Spears is accused of murder, but it's his solicitor Jim Harwood who really holds the key to the mystery. The book switches time frames so we learn more about Jim, the victim Sarena and how the downward spiral began. An interesting view of a court system where it seems that truth isn't the most important thing.
April 26, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, I liked how T.J. Cooke was able to weave a story with twists an always keeping you guessing as to what is happening next.
May 13, 2014
im not too keen on books based around courtrooms but i quite enjoyed this one
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews