Court Out

by Elle Wynne

Lauren is a successful criminal barrister. She likes to work, play and shop hard. When she lands the brief of a lifetime, the prosecution of a premiership footballer accused of murdering his wife, she knows that she’ll have to pull out all the stops to prove that she’s up to the challenge.

But the trial brings challenges that Lauren never saw coming. Her best friend and colleague, Serena, has forsaken planning her own wedding to get far too cosy with the opposition and wildly jealous of Lauren’s role, is being anything but a friend.

Just when things are looking up, the unthinkable happens when Lauren is arrested for a crime she did not commit. Abandoned by those closest to her, stripped of her career, her world spirals out of control. With no way left to go but up, Lauren is forced to challenge the most basic of legal principles: is anyone really innocent until proven guilty?

Genres: Chick Lit

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 9, 2013

Reviews

[Wendy Janes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is going rather well for Lauren. She has a flourishing career as a criminal barrister, the Moet flows, her wardrobe is full of designer shoes and handbags. She has a gorgeous boyfriend, Sebastian, and a great best friend and colleague, Serena, whose wedding plans are going totally OTT. Then comes a high-profile brief – the prosecution of a premiership footballer who has been accused of murdering his wife. Will Lauren be up to the challenge of fighting the case, and then later fighting to clear her own name?

In Lauren the author has created a wonderfully engaging narrator. She’s the sort of person who many of us would like to have as a friend – witty, compassionate, loyal, knows how to have a good time and doesn’t take herself too seriously. Lauren has an energy that bounces off the page.

There are many lively scenes that add to our understanding of the characters and also cleverly move the narrative forward. My favourites include how Lauren and Sebastian meet, Lauren and Serena’s tussle in court over a legal nicety, and Lauren dressing down a receptionist at Sebastian’s workplace. Oh, and there’s an excruciatingly embarrassing wedding to enjoy as well.

As well as entertaining us with the daily drama of the courtroom – plenty of verbal jousting and hapless Defendants - the author treats us to a ‘whodunit?’ and a ‘how-on-earth-did-they-do-it?’ that had me guessing and second-guessing.

This is a super tale that is told with wit and panache.

I was not familiar with this author before she sent me a review copy, but I’ll definitely be looking out for her next book.

[Aunty Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an undemanding and easy to read novel, not particularly challenging plot-wise and the characters were sometimes somewhat one-dimensional. A few typos were irritating and the book could do with a professional edit.
''Lauren is a successful criminal barrister. She likes to work, play and shop hard. When she lands the brief of a lifetime, the prosecution of a premiership footballer accused of murdering his wife, she knows that she’ll have to pull out all the stops to prove that she’s up to the challenge.
But the trial brings challenges that Lauren never saw coming. Her best friend and colleague, Serena, has forsaken planning her own wedding to get far too cosy with the opposition and wildly jealous of Lauren’s role, is being anything but a friend.
Just when things are looking up, the unthinkable happens when Lauren is arrested for a crime she did not commit. Abandoned by those closest to her, stripped of her career, her world spirals out of control. With no way left to go but up, Lauren is forced to challenge the most basic of legal principles: is anyone really innocent until proven guilty?''
The wedding near the end of the book was amusing, as were some of the court scenes.
An easy read to pass an afternoon.

[Laura Gritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book couldn't put it down

[Ashleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mehhh