Penguin Until Proven Innocent (Lee Mitchell).

Lee Mitchell #1

by Nicola Williams

'Spectacular! British crime fiction has a dazzling new voice in Nicola Williams' Tony Parsons

THE BRILLIANTLY TAUT, GRITTY AND TWISTY NEW LEGAL THRILLER FOLLOWING BARRISTER LEE MITCHELL IN HER MOST CONTROVERSIAL CASE YET

Lee Mitchell is out for justice.

A young barrister from a working-class Caribbean background, everything is stacked against her in the cut-throat environment of the courtroom.

When the fifteen-year-old son of the pastor at the local Black church is shot near her home in South London, the community is shattered. All evidence is pointing to the notoriously corrupt, racist officer Sergeant Jack Lambert. Even his own boss is certain he is guilty - but he swears his innocence.

Against her will, Lee is strong-armed into defending him. With protests echoing in the streets, Lee is at the centre of the turmoil as lies, anger and mistrust spiral out of control. With the line between her personal and professional life blurring, Lee keeps asking herself the same question:

How can she defend the indefensible?

Genres: Crime, Thriller, Legal, Mystery

320 pages, Paperback

Published July 18, 2024

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicola Williams writes a gripping race, crime, community, and legal drama set in a South London black community facing the challenges of gentrification. Leanne 'Lee' Mitchell, who against all the odds, has succeeded in carving a successful career as a black barrister at Maple Court Chambers. However, she has never forgotten where she came from, as she continues to volunteer at the local law centre, now she is persuaded to serve as a board member. Life is good, she has all the trappings of success, and she is living with and in a great relationship with jazz musician, David. A young boy, 15 year old Paul, is shot in the face, and is now lying in hospital in a coma, the prognosis does not bode well. The victim is the son of a well known and well regarded black pastor and community activist, Desmond Matthews, and his wife, Eloise, their lives now broken and shattered.

DCI Danny Wallace too is from the same community, he managed to turn his troubled life around as a youngster when he received support from the pastor. He is leading the police investigation, and it not long before a prime suspect emerges, only it turns out he is one of their own, the notorious Sergeant Jack Lambert, a long serving racist officer with a reputation for brutality. Whilst the evidence provided by a gun is far from conclusive, it appears to be obvious he is their man, he is charged and a trial date is set. Lee wants nothing to do with the vile Lambert, but finds herself in the invidious position of being forced to defend him, an act that will have repercussions on her position in the community, and those close to her. The stage is set for a high profile trial, the Matthews family supported by tory councillor, Hugo Cunningham, with intense media scrutiny, attracting loud and vociferous protests, and dramatic courtroom scenes.

Receiving far less attention, is the murder of drug dealer, Jimmy Thomas, Lambert's informant, the police focus is on getting Lambert convicted. It is fascinating to observe Lee's handling of the case, her distaste for her unpleasant client, the stress and pressures coming from every direction, her professional pride, her inner desire to win, and the lack of any kind of defence available. This is a compulsive read, packed with some surprising twists and turns, the lies, deception, and with a riveting court trial at its heart. Many of the issues raised resonate with our contemporary world realities, such as the issue of race and the Black Lives Matter movement, and the controversial gentrification of parts of London. A great crime novel. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Mitchell is a London barrister from a Caribbean background. Female, working-class and of colour means Lee has to fight extra hard to keep her rising place in the hierarchy in an already cut throat Chambers environment. On her way home from a glittering Chambers party her journey is held up by police attending a shooting. The victim proves to be Paul, the 15 year old son of a well-known pastor of a church with a principally black congregation. The community is outraged, Paul being a decent and upright young man with no police convictions and there is further outrage when evidence points to Sergeant Jack Lambert as the perpetrator. Lambert is well known to be corrupt and a racist . Much against her will Lee is forced to defend Jack when the case comes to court. How will Lee ride out the inevitable storm?

This novel from an author who is new to me proves to be hard to put down. It’s very current, making powerful and thought provoking points especially about racism and pulling no punches and why should it? It feels very real and authentic with the south London neighbourhood, the characters and the various situations all ringing true, making for compelling reading.

I really like Lee, she’s an excellent character and you root for her with all the difficulties that accompany this particular case. There are some very good scenes such as in the courtroom along with many plot twists and turns to keep you glued to the pages. It shocks you at times as it’s meant to . Although I do figure out part of the answer it is still a cracking read. I look forward to hopefully reading more about Lee and more novels by the author.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin General U.K. for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Mitchell is a young barrister from a working-class Caribbean background: in the cut-throat environment of the courtroom, everything is stacked against her. On her doorstep in South London, the fifteen-year-old son of the pastor at the Black church is shot, and the local community is shattered. All evidence is pointing to infamously corrupt, racist police officer Sargent Jack Lambert as the irredeemable suspect. His own boss-rebel-turned-copper Danny Wakklace - is certain he is guilty. Against her will, Lee is strong-armed into defending him.

With well-developed characters and a compelling storyline, I was immediately pulled into this story. This is the second book in the series, and I wish I had read Without Prejudice before I started reading this book as there were quite a few references to the first book. This is a cleverly written story with quite a few twists. Against her judgement, Lee is forced to defend Sargent Jack Lambert. Her personal life suffers for taking on the case. I would have liked the courtroom scenes to be a bit longer than they were. The story covers racism within the police force.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #PenguinGeneralUK #FigTree and the author #NicolaWilliams for my ARC of #UntilProvenInnocent in exchange for an honest review.

[Ella Tansley · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Until Proven Innocent” was my first experience of reading detailed courtroom scenes, and it was just as tense as you’d expect.

Read it if: police/crime/legal procedurals are your thing.

Don’t read it if: you are triggered by the subject of racism within the police force, as this is a central theme.

This books tells the story of a young black barrister, Lee Mitchell, who ends up having to defend a prolific corrupt and racist police sergeant, Jack Lambert.

Lee lives close to where she grew up, but decidedly in a much more affluent part, and her struggles with her identity as she navigates this dichotomy is one of the book’s central themes. The tension between her and her community is exacerbated when it’s revealed that she will be defending Jack, and it also threatens her relationship with her partner.

The parts of the novel where we hear from Jack, and how he has been prejudiced throughout his police career, are sometimes difficult to read. Institutional racism within the UK police is a pertinent and very current issue and for most readers, many real life cases come to mind whilst reading.

Whilst I found the subject matter of the book very interesting, I feel like it spread itself a little thin in places. Characters which feel a little irrelevant seem to be given a lot of airtime, like you’d expect from a series. That said, I enjoyed learning about Lee and she’s a character I’d be happy to read about again.

With thanks to Penguin and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Charlie Morris (Read, Watch & Drink Coffee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A challenging and brilliantly-written crime thriller, Nicola Williams writes a powerful and tense British crime thriller which shines a light on the very relevant topic of systematic racism.

While not particularly fast-paced and putting the focus on words instead of action, Until Proven Innocent is a very insightful police procedural which tackles a pertinent subject from a point of view that is worthy of a spotlight.

I didn't realise that this was a sequel until writing up my review, following the 2021 book, Without Prejudice. But that didn't effect my enjoyment of this book at all, which can very easily be read as a standalone. Knowing that it's a sequel, I feel like I may have missed out on some more detail about Lee's background as I would have liked to know more about her, but I still engaged with her well enough at the time of reading so I don't feel like I missed out on anything.

However, I do wish that I got to know more about Jack beforehand so that I could understand the initial accusations against him, as it took me a while to understand his involvement in it all. But the story did piece together well eventually as it moves to the court room, and I really enjoyed the concept of not knowing where it was going or how Lee should feel about it all.

Overall, I think Nicola Williams adds a strong female voice to the British crime genre. She has a lot to say, and I definitely want to listen.

[Hazel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reading Stuff 'n' Things


I really, really wanted to enjoy this but, alas, I didn't.

I usually enjoy a meaty, courtroom drama .. the build up, the backstory, the tension of a court case but Until Proven Innocent was quite a lot of waffle, with too many characters which caused me to become confused about who was who and, in the end, I just didn't care and I can't even remember what happened, why and who to.

Now, I am only one of loads of people who have read this and there are many 5* and positive reviews out there so if you like the sound of this, give it a go ... it might just be one for you but, unfortunately, not for me.

Thanks to Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of Until Proven Innocent.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had not yet had the pleasure of reading any of this author's books before I read 'Until Proven Innocent', but now I will be actively seeking more of her books. 

Williams creates a tense, powerful story, focusing on racism within the police, society and within professional sectors.

Lee Mitchell is under threat of blackmail, leaving her with no choice but to take on the defence of Danny Wallace, an action that is met with strong disapproval and distress from her family and the people of the town. Unfortunately, the consequences of her actions are immense, making the story captivating and an absorbing read. 

The protagonist of this story is a character that readers can relate to and the moral dilemma presented in this plot makes it the ideal selection for a Book Club discussion. The story is filled with lies and deception, which makes it quite provocative and thought-provoking, and I predict that this will create a lot of different opinions and conversations. This controversial concept is highly relatable and very modern in its approach.

Admittingly, the first few chapters were a little slow-paced for my preference, but once I found the understanding of what was happening, it became a gripping and highly addictive read.

If you like courtroom tension, drama and emotive plots with ethically challenged characters, this is a must-read for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin UK Books, for a gifted copy of this book. 

[Rebecca Jamison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a crime thriller/police procedural and Williams has done this very well!

Set in South London in a Black community, Paul Matthews, the fifteen year old son of a pastor has been shot in the face at close range. Paul was innocent in this, his mistake was wearing the coat of his older brother, drug dealer Tony Matthews.

DCI Danny Williams is investigating the case but has ties to it. He was a troubled youngster and upon advice from Pastor Desmond Matthews, Paul's father, he turned his life around. The prime suspect emerges as one of their own; a racist and homophobic police sergeant, Jack Lambert.

Leanne "Lee" Mitchell works on the case and although she is a high flying barrister, she still returns to volunteer at her local law centre. I absolutely loved her character. The author is a barrister herself and this made Lee's handling of the case in the novel really come to life.

There are so many characters to observe in this book from police informants to MPs but the plot is weaved together perfectly and at a fantastic pace too.

Until Proven Innocent touches on race, gentrification and police bias really well. I would definitely recommend!

[Lydia Omodara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read lots of crime fiction by British and American authors, including Mark Billingham, Stuart MacBride, Tim Weaver, and Jeffrey Deaver. Each author and series has their own USP, but ultimately it wouldn't be unreasonable to say that all share the same white male perspective, which shapes the way characters are written and described, the plot and the broader worlds they establish.

Nicola Williams brings a fresh, much-needed alternative gaze to the genre, and for that alone I think Until Proven Innocent is an important book. It is not only an interesting legal thriller, but also a biting social commentary that will stand as an enduring testament to the systemic racism which still pervades all aspects of British society in 2023.

The story centres around Lee Mitchell, an ambitious, brilliant barrister who has taken the fact that people have underestimated her - a Black woman from a working class immigrant family - and made a hugely successful career out of it. We meet Lee as she is compelled to defend a racist, corrupt police officer accused of shooting an unarmed Black teenage choir boy. With her whole community telling her she should be ashamed of herself for taking on the case, Lee finds herself caught between her own aspirations and the expectations of those around her.

Williams has created a fully-realised world, in which even very minor characters are thoughtfully rendered and provide useful conduits through which we learn more about the main characters. The portrayal of this part of South London and of its diverse residents feels authentic, as does the story of how gentrification has transformed huge swaths of London - and left whole communities behind. Lee herself is a likeable protagonist who had me rooting for her from the outset, and I found myself outraged on her behalf during various maddening interactions with other characters. DCI Danny Wallace is an intriguing character, who wasn't really developed as much as I'd hoped in this novel, though I suppose that is par for the course when the author is presumably planning to continue the series.

Interestingly, Until Proven Innocent is a follow-up to Williams' first novel, Without Prejudice, which was originally published in 1998 and rescued from obscurity by Booker Prize-winning author Bernardine Evaristo, who, in 2021, curated a series for Penguin which rediscovered and championed neglected books depicting Black Britain. This book could not feel more topical: it is a scathing inditement of the Metropolitan Police and of Middle England; it serves as a rebuttal to those who mutter, 'All Lives Matter', to those who insinuate that it's the fault of Black boys and their families that they are being slain on the streets of the capital, rather than being symptomatic of broader and more complex social problems. One major character who is emblematic of a lot of these views is dismissed and pilloried throughtout the novel, gracefully highlighting the absurdity of these archaic prejudices.

This is the first crime book I've read which focuses on the legal system, and it is meticulously detailed - unsurprisingly given the author's background as a barrister specialising in Criminal Law and a judge. It was a fascinating insight and I would certainly be interested to read more of this series. Williams was also a legal expert on BBC World for the OJ Simpson trial verdict in 1995 and a member of the first Independent Advisory Group to the Metropolitan Police Service (following recommendations arising from the Stephen Lawrence Report 1999), so she is perhaps uniquely qualified to speak on matters of institutional racism as well as the convoluted workings of the British legal system.

My main frustration with the novel was that the focus on the legal process means that the author neglects to elucidate the findings of the police investigation. How did this case get to trial when they seemingly only have circumstantial evidence? I did wonder if some of the sub plots could have been trimmed in order to include more detail on this side of the plot, but then again, I'm not privy to the author's plans for the series so maybe there will be pay-off for some of the minor characters whose page time seemed somewhat unearned.

In summary, Until Proven Innocent is a well-written, original and essential addition to the British crime genre, and I will be looking out for the next installment in the series (which I hope will give more time to the investigation leading up to the court case.)

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

[B · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book as I had heard it focuses more on the legal/court side of the case which is right up my alley but I truly struggled to get into the book or into the characters. The smut scene felt icky to read and tbh the 20% that I did read felt like background which I don't mind but surely the pace could have been quicker. I think cause of the slow build up to even what happened and who it was it really did just make me struggle to be invested.

[Karolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Mitchell is a talented young barrister whose mum was born in the Caribbean and moved to London years ago. She still lives in the same house where Lee was born. Lee does some volunteering at the Ricketts Road Community Law Centre one night each month.

Jack Lambert is a cop with twenty five years experience in the job and he’s been a sergeant for five years. It’s a cold rainy night when he is following one of his informants along the street and he finally catches up with him. When he does, he searches him and finds a gun in one of his pockets so Jack says, ‘You don’t need that. I’ll take it for safekeeping.’ Then he put the gun in his pocket. He carried on his way to the church and knocked on the back door to attract Eloise Matthew’s attention. When she answered the door, he asked her for money or else he would make sure her boy Tony would go back to jail but she stood her ground and refused to pay him. He then threatened her further with her other secret but she refused profusely to pay him so in the end he left empty handed but threatened to be back soon.

A little bit later, a passerby found someone slumped in an alleyway with a gunshot wound to the head. There was a mobile phone and a bus pass on the ground near them. The passerby called the police. When the police turned up, there was blood all over the floor. From the bus pass, they got the name of the person who had been shot, Paul Matthews. DCI Danny Wallace knew Revend Matthews so went round to break the news personally and took the parents to the hospital.

When the police found the gun, there was a print on there that matched Sergeant Lambert's so he got arrested for attempted murder. He said he wanted his brief to be Lee Mitchell at all costs and he got Duncan Connolly as his solicitor. The hard part was persuading Lee Mitchell to take the case……

Was Sergeant Lambert guilty of shooting Paul Matthew? Did they manage to get Lee Mitchell to handle the case?

This book was a fantastic read. It was great to read about the crime and then the courtroom battle afterwards all in the same book. I like Lee Mitchell as she is a feisty character, she has her values but has to go against them sometimes which isn’t her and that comes out in this book, upsetting lots of people including her family. The author has taken a brilliant plot and written it really well, using both crime and courtroom. Will look out for more from this author.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Until Proven Innocent’ by Nicola Williams is the second book telling the story of barrister Lee Mitchell.

This can be read as a standalone though, so dont let it out you off if you have not read the first book with this character in as you will miss out if you wait.

Lee Mitchell lives in a world of conflict between her working class background and the position she sees herself in now as an up and coming barrister.

The conflicts continue when she is faced with defending a police officer accused of a serious crime against the local pastors son.

This is a book that you cannot put down and immediately grips you with its believable and very real characters.

The subject matter is very delicately treated also and highlights many of todays issues. It feels as if you are reading a true life story with these characters.

This plot has the right amount of twists to grip you whilst also letting you see the development of the characters.

Nicola Williams is a writer that will be going onwards and upwards with this great legal thriller that is sure to be a big hit.

An absolute pleasure to read and review.

Highly recommended.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read in return for a review.

[Jayne Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to Net Galley and Penguin General UK for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
This is an excellent crime courtroom drama where the tension builds, caused by a 15 year old boy being shot in the face, now in a coma.
Lee Mitchell is a young successful barrister, she is black and against the odds is carving a career in the legal world of South London.
Against her judgement Lee is forced to defend the notorious, rather vile Sergeant Jack Lambert who is part of the local police force and has been charged with this crime, There is evidence which points to Jack Lambert, but it far from conclusive.
Defending Jack wrecks havoc inLee’s personal life, with her partner David, her mother and in the community where she has lived and worked. Her dislike for her client is obvious, she does however still have the desire to win.
This is a fast pace read, filled with drama, lies and deception, many twists and turns.
My first book by Nicola Williams and I look forward to reading more. A 5 star read.

[bookishcharli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those thrillers that takes its time setting the scene for what’s to come, but once that’s over it amps up the pace until you can’t even bare to blink in case you miss a word. Nicola does a fantastic job on shining a light on the systematic racism still happening in England (and everywhere else).

The two things I loved the most? 1) this is a book where you are absolutely rooting for a character to get what they deserve, even if that means unaliving them. 2) the author is a legal expert and has clearly put her knowledge to great use in this book.

I can’t wait to read more of Nicola’s books now. If you like legal or crime thrillers then this one is definitely for you.

Thank you to Viking/Hamish Hamilton/Penguin UK for sending me a proof of this one.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive a proof copy of this book but, unfortunately, life got in the way & I was unable to review prior to publication.

Lee Mitchell is a young barrister fighting against the system. She is from a Caribbean background, working-class & female. On her way home from an in Chambers party, she comes across a live police operation where a young black boy has been shot. Evidence points to notoriously corrupt & racist Sergeant Jack Lambert as the perpetrator. Through various means, Lee is forced to defend him at trial. How will this play out for her & the close-knit community?

A new author for me & she certainly pulls no punches. Thought provoking & extremely relevant to now, making this an exhilarating read.

[Khurshid Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the City of London and the area of Brixton comes a courtroom drama like no other.

The defendant
Someone who is supposed to uphold the law but doesnt
Someone whose racist views and violence are noted but not prosecuted until now

The Victim
A young Carribean 15 year old who sang in a choir
The brother of a known drug dealer


The Barrister
An upcoming Carribean lawyer known for winning cases
Her next case a gun shot case

It seams simple - it is not

The defendant a racist police officer known for his violence against young boys

The barrister - Blackmailed to take case and shunned by her community

This is a thriller with a twist.
What seems obvious is not the truth

Has the defendant been given a taste of his own medicine?

Revenge is a dish best served cold

I would highly recommend reading. I will definitely be reading more by this author

[Mrs Susan J Bociek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lee is a successful barrister in London; young, black, going places. She has goes d friends and of course, plenty of jealous peers - the ones who didn't climb so high as her, a black girl from a poor part of town. She is called to defend a suspended police detective on a murder charge which is ok - except that this particular man is a well know racist misogynist and she would really prefer to refuse the case. However, under the rules of Chambers, if a Barrister can, then they must. So Lee accepts the case and faces the anger of her boyfriend, her Mother, neighbours and the local churchgoers. The Law and Justice are not the same things - but often they can rub along side by side.

[Yassin · Rating 3 out of 5]

From about the start to the 3rd quarter of the book, things ran smoothly. But I feel like the final quarter of the book was ever so rushed & could have done with a bit more pages/chapters to long it out just a little more. The twist at the end with Fee being the real killer & then her being sent to jail was way too fast of a transition and again could’ve used more writing to match the pace of the first 3 quarters of the book. Overall I didn’t think the story was amazing nor terrible but I can’t say I wasn’t slightly disappointed. And then the death of Lambert, not much was put into it, it was very much a blur

[Nicky Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed - I had such high hopes for a book written by my namesake. Sadly that was not to be.

There were too many characters to begin with - the first 60% was quite fractured and I found it difficult to actually follow who was who and what was happening. I couldn't really identify who was the main protagonist until much later in the book and even then I just could not get a 'feel' for her. The character development was weak to the point that I did not have any feelings for any of them one way or another.
The storyline was OK but it did not grip me. I was just going through the motions until the book was finished.
Unfortunately I will not be reading any more from this author.

[KazOfBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

challenging dark informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced
3.5 stars

If you want a really slow no action “thriller” then this might be the book for you. It held promise but it was really difficult to get into and did not pick up until 60% of the book. It felt like there was more waffling than plot progress for several chapters and it never really wrapped up the story at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Drug use, Drug abuse, Blood, Murder, Medical content, and Sexual content

Moderate: War and Homophobia

[D.A. Baden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because the book I'm writing now has a court scene so a book written by an ex-Barrister with a court scene was useful background reading. It delivered on that and had enough interest to keep me turning the pages, but it took half the book till the real crux came and it had numerous grammatical errors even on the back cover where a 'taut' page turner was described as 'taught'! I'm not usually too picky, and it's rare one doesn't find something, but there were several and one expects better from a penguin book.

[Kirsty ( kirstysbooked ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It was very cleverly written and the ending was very unpredictable. I thought the characters were extremely strong and dealt with really important things. I loved the way the story was written and how it kept me hooked. It took a little bit of the book for me to be able to keep track of who all the characters were but overall I loved the twists and turns and thought it was a really great book.

[Greville Waterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent first novel which deals with the issue of police misconduct and racism expertly. The characters are well drawn and credible and the plot original and realistic .

The murder suspect is identified very early on which helps build the tension as he is defended by a black barrister who loathes him nd what he allegedly stand for.

The tension builds and the court scenes are dramatic with unexpected twists.

What more can you ask for?

[Christina Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to #Netgalley for my copy of #UntilProvenInnocent by #NicolaWilliams
Although this book
Is described as a courtroom drama, it is a long time before it gets anywhere near a courtroom, and that episode is only a small part of the book, which centres on barrister Lee Mitchell and then tension that is caused by the murder of a 15 year old.
It is a good read and I would purchase the next book by this author.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detested local police officer on trial for the murder of the local pastors son. Public opinion and community lines are drawn. A local girl who has made an impressive career as a barrister blackmailed in to defending the officer. Her mum still lives in the area and is shunned by the community.
Lots of ripples for all the characters as lives intersect.
Right up to the final page you will be astounded by those ripples. Enjoy I did

[Clemence Lutiku Da Costa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of dissapointed. Nothing really happens until you’re 200 pages in, too many new characters. If you’re going to like it or not all depends on what you are looking for. If you want more drama in trial then skip this book. If you want more character backstories then you’ll like it more I guess. I will be honest though, almost DNF this book. I liked her writing though. Therefor I give this book three stars.

[Tamsin Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic book! I really enjoy books that involves law or a legal case, but this was really great. The author 100% knows her stuff (as per her previous work in the legal industry) and you could tell she was almost writing from experience. Only slight issue was sometimes it felt like there were too many characters and the chapters jumped around a lot, but it didn’t affect the drama of the story. 4.5 stars.

[kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the plot was very good. A legal crime book, were a black female barrister is somewhat made to defend a corrupt racist police officer. While I liked the plot I felt it lacked the courtroom drama, a lot of the dialogue was outside the courtroom. Personally I didn’t really warm to any of the characters however they were written well and fit well into the story. Overall a good read.

[Jo Donnelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book by this author - I later found this was the 2nd book with the Lee Mitchell character but it didn't matter plotwise. A well written book, with a wealth of well-rounded characters. It devloped well and plotted out how the characters were connected. An interesting concept of defending someone who is vile. I'd definitely read Nicola Williams again.

[Pasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5*

First half was slow but thankfully the second half picked up and I was way more invested. I liked the twists/reveals that I hadn't guessed.

I wasn't a fan of the story having so many characters - struggled to keep with who was who.