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Dice
A compelling courtroom drama, Dice is an incredibly timely exploration of how sexual violence is viewed in our society.
Four teenage boys invent a sex game based on rolling dice and doing what the numbers say.
They are charged with multiple sexual offences against three teenage girls.
Twelve random jurors are brought together in a trial to work out what actually happened.
Only they can say whether crimes have been committed and who should be punished.
How does the jury find?
Dice is a stunning courtroom drama told from the perspective of a diverse group of ordinary people - the jury. How will twelve women and men, aged from eighteen to seventy-two with hugely disparate backgrounds, beliefs and experience, decide whether consent was given or crimes were committed?
How can they possibly arrive at a unanimous verdict? How will justice be properly served?
In this dazzlingly accomplished and gripping debut novel, chapters are told through the point of view of each juror as the trial unfolds. The reader too becomes a jury member as the evidence is presented and information is withheld, fragmented and re-told by different witnesses. Each person must decide where the truth lies.
Will the verdict deliver justice, or just reflect the prejudices and differences in the jury?
' Dice achieves what the best fiction it draws us into the story on a deeply personal level, coaxing us to consider what we would do in the same situation...the moving and powerful final moment delivers a sense of narrative completion while also reminding us of the flawed nature of the justice system.' Catherine Chidgey, award-winning author of Remote Sympathy
'An utterly compelling, nuanced and appropriately complex read that effortlessly depicts the unique combination of the sensational and the mundane, which often characterises the criminal trial.' Professor Vanessa Munro, Warwick University
Four teenage boys invent a sex game based on rolling dice and doing what the numbers say.
They are charged with multiple sexual offences against three teenage girls.
Twelve random jurors are brought together in a trial to work out what actually happened.
Only they can say whether crimes have been committed and who should be punished.
How does the jury find?
Dice is a stunning courtroom drama told from the perspective of a diverse group of ordinary people - the jury. How will twelve women and men, aged from eighteen to seventy-two with hugely disparate backgrounds, beliefs and experience, decide whether consent was given or crimes were committed?
How can they possibly arrive at a unanimous verdict? How will justice be properly served?
In this dazzlingly accomplished and gripping debut novel, chapters are told through the point of view of each juror as the trial unfolds. The reader too becomes a jury member as the evidence is presented and information is withheld, fragmented and re-told by different witnesses. Each person must decide where the truth lies.
Will the verdict deliver justice, or just reflect the prejudices and differences in the jury?
' Dice achieves what the best fiction it draws us into the story on a deeply personal level, coaxing us to consider what we would do in the same situation...the moving and powerful final moment delivers a sense of narrative completion while also reminding us of the flawed nature of the justice system.' Catherine Chidgey, award-winning author of Remote Sympathy
'An utterly compelling, nuanced and appropriately complex read that effortlessly depicts the unique combination of the sensational and the mundane, which often characterises the criminal trial.' Professor Vanessa Munro, Warwick University
375 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2023
43 people are currently reading
645 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
August 1, 2023
From jury selection through to deliberation and the final verdict. Law researcher Claire Baylis takes us inside the jury room for a complicated teen sexual assault case with multiple victims and defendants. Four teenage boys face an array of charges relating to a sex game they invented involving dice. Twelve jury members from a variety of backgrounds try to sort out the facts and come up with a reasonable verdict.
The strong suit of this novel is the realism - the author's extensive research into how juries work and her background in law inform the novel in ways that take it far beyond a run-of-the-mill "count room drama", but the research lies a little too heavily upon the book. By which I mean ... this is a grind in parts. The complexities of the case, the voices of the jury members, and the endless repetition of the case. The problem is in demonstrating how repetitive and perplexing a court case can be you risk making the reading experience equally frustrating.
This is an ambitious, polyphonic novel for any author to pull off, let alone a debut novelist. I wish it had some more time in the oven and a more ruthless edit ( but I say this a lot, so maybe it's irrelevant ).
Happily, for readers who stick with it, the ending is powerful and thoughtful and certainly the entire book is a good entry point to discuss issues surrounding how sexual assault cases are handled in court.
The strong suit of this novel is the realism - the author's extensive research into how juries work and her background in law inform the novel in ways that take it far beyond a run-of-the-mill "count room drama", but the research lies a little too heavily upon the book. By which I mean ... this is a grind in parts. The complexities of the case, the voices of the jury members, and the endless repetition of the case. The problem is in demonstrating how repetitive and perplexing a court case can be you risk making the reading experience equally frustrating.
This is an ambitious, polyphonic novel for any author to pull off, let alone a debut novelist. I wish it had some more time in the oven and a more ruthless edit ( but I say this a lot, so maybe it's irrelevant ).
Happily, for readers who stick with it, the ending is powerful and thoughtful and certainly the entire book is a good entry point to discuss issues surrounding how sexual assault cases are handled in court.
August 20, 2023
Claire Baylis has delivered a superlative debut novel and from start to finish, you can feel the nurturing that has gone into this book. She has used all the right ingredients to ensure DICE is a recipe for success. The storyline is well thought-out and executed and you can tell the extensive research that has gone into the character development and court-case. Speaking of the characters…. there are a lot, but don’t be put off by this. There is a character list in the front of the book, but after the first few chapters I found I had a good grasp on who was who… easily categorised into: the jury members, the defendants and the complainants. I would imagine publishers and editors would be discouraging of having 12 main characters as well as several others to keep track of, so kudos to Claire for hanging on to every one of them, as they are integral to her story. Having sat on a jury trial for a manslaughter charge, I found the characters and behaviour of the jury members very believable. Reading this book made me feel I was right back in the courtroom myself, trying to keep my focus and concentration on the multitude of witnesses, evidence, legal jargon and transcripts over multiple days. This novel raises awareness of the task that a group of individuals from all walks of life are faced with when selected as a juror. Not only do they have the legal aspect of this role to take on board, they have to navigate through the differing personalities of the other jury members. The back-stories of the jury members are cleverly woven into this story giving the reader insight as to how they process what they hear and see in the courtroom and their decisions when it is time to deliver their verdicts. Their task is extremely complex given there are multiple defendants (each with their own lawyer) and multiple complainants and charges. The content of non-consensual sex is at times confronting and graphic, but it is also sadly very real and prevalent as is revealed not only in the courtroom but also in the back-stories of a number of the female jury members. There are so many layers to this book and I thought it was fitting to give the final chapter to one of the complainants. I commend the editing of this book; my only suggestion would have been to include footnotes translating the Maori words. I feel this novel has a wide-ranging audience appeal and I will be highly recommending it to fellow readers. It is also a choice for reading within my Book Group and I am really looking forward to the discussions this novel will generate. There is also a personal connection in that the author is the daughter of a past founding member of my Book Group, so we will also be celebrating that.
March 10, 2024
A very confronting read that, through the framework of the legal process of trial by jury, has a lot to say about prevailing attitudes to sexual crimes in New Zealand. Baylis leans quite heavily on a real case, which made this a little more uncomfortable as it makes it hard for a reader to lean into its fictional nature for comfort. Using the perspectives of each of the jurors to unpack the case at the centre of this novel was a clever way to examine the challenges and flaws of legal process, as well as to peer into the prejudices that impact the ways we think about crime. What I found most clever, was the way that Baylis revealed many more social prejudices that prevail in New Zealand, making this novel a much broader social commentary. My personal taste would have liked some of the background stories to be tidier, or more well-integrated, but this is an assured novel which is no mean feat given its subject matter. I found it compelling.
October 19, 2023
I was absolutely gripped by this courtroom drama! Three teenage boys have been charged with sexual offences against three teenage girls based on a dice game the boys made up. A jury must listen to the evidence and decide whether or not they are guilty.
There are multiple viewpoints, allowing the reader into the minds of each of the jurors, who bring their own prejudices, life experience and beliefs into the jury room. It's a fascinating look at the complex issue of consent, and what constitutes a criminal offence. The author shows how lawyers present an event in a different light to suit what they want us to believe, and the different reactions of each juror to this - whether they see past it or are taken in. For example one of the jurors in a father of a young teenage boy; one of the female jurors starts questioning if she consented to a past sexual encounter. I also loved the New Zealand setting and the way the author worked in aspects of Maori culture and language.
A fascinating, thought-provoking and important novel. Perfect for fans of Kia Abdullah!
There are multiple viewpoints, allowing the reader into the minds of each of the jurors, who bring their own prejudices, life experience and beliefs into the jury room. It's a fascinating look at the complex issue of consent, and what constitutes a criminal offence. The author shows how lawyers present an event in a different light to suit what they want us to believe, and the different reactions of each juror to this - whether they see past it or are taken in. For example one of the jurors in a father of a young teenage boy; one of the female jurors starts questioning if she consented to a past sexual encounter. I also loved the New Zealand setting and the way the author worked in aspects of Maori culture and language.
A fascinating, thought-provoking and important novel. Perfect for fans of Kia Abdullah!
August 11, 2023
Everyone should read this book. I feel like a different person having just finished it.
March 29, 2025
F*** that was an infuriating experience reading this book. Definitely not an easy read, but impossible to put down.
Naively made the mistake of staying up until 1am to find out what happens.. thinking surely the author was leading us to feel a certain way for a reason…..and she was… but I wanted justice. I guess that’s the whole point! So many poor girls who have to go through the horrors of the court experience, re-live their rape experiences to strangers and lawyers who brutalize their stories…… all to end up with a “not guilty” verdict by a bunch of jury members who have their own biases and prejudices.
“Boys just being boys” so “better not ruin their lives”
“Girls just make this stuff up for attention”
“She was drunk, what did she expect would happen?”
Damned if they do and damned if they don’t - either a girl is a prude for saying no or a slut and therefore “deserves it”
No wonder 92% of sexual violence cases in NZ go unreported. And are most likely to happen by someone the victim knows.
Trigger warning: the author does not shy away from graphic details of rape and sexual assault (again highlights just how poor our court system is and what survivors have to endure).
Naively made the mistake of staying up until 1am to find out what happens.. thinking surely the author was leading us to feel a certain way for a reason…..and she was… but I wanted justice. I guess that’s the whole point! So many poor girls who have to go through the horrors of the court experience, re-live their rape experiences to strangers and lawyers who brutalize their stories…… all to end up with a “not guilty” verdict by a bunch of jury members who have their own biases and prejudices.
“Boys just being boys” so “better not ruin their lives”
“Girls just make this stuff up for attention”
“She was drunk, what did she expect would happen?”
Damned if they do and damned if they don’t - either a girl is a prude for saying no or a slut and therefore “deserves it”
No wonder 92% of sexual violence cases in NZ go unreported. And are most likely to happen by someone the victim knows.
Trigger warning: the author does not shy away from graphic details of rape and sexual assault (again highlights just how poor our court system is and what survivors have to endure).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2023
This one had too many characters to stay on top of which was too distracting. Ok read
August 21, 2024
An unusual, harrowing and important crime fiction read, as legal researcher Claire Baylis takes us behind the curtain of modern-day jury deliberations in a fictional sexual assault case inspired by real-life events. Usually courtroom thrillers are told from the lawyers perspective, or others who work in the criminal justice field professionally. Instead, Baylis delivers a nuanced and provocative thriller via the eyes of the jury, those 'ordinary citizens' tasked with weighing varying accounts of troubling events and trying to find justice. Baylis does a great job luring readers in, and shows rather than tells how our justice system struggles in so many ways, particularly when it comes to sexual assault cases where alcohol, drugs, and teenage hormones complicate an already complex area, and societal prejudices and past experiences colour understandings of right and wrong, criminal or 'icky', and more... a terrific and important read.
July 22, 2023
A compelling read, albeit a disturbing one! It brought back memories of the “RoastBusters” case - making me wonder at times how much was fiction and how much was based on fact!🤔😢
It delivers its message with a solid punch and is certainly a book that will stay with me for a very long time.
The different personalities on the jury are perfect and it is a real credit to Baylis that she has “cast” these so well.
It delivers its message with a solid punch and is certainly a book that will stay with me for a very long time.
The different personalities on the jury are perfect and it is a real credit to Baylis that she has “cast” these so well.
August 5, 2023
This book was thought provoking and frustrating, but rightly so. Several times I had to put it down to take some deep breaths because the characters made me so angry. I also thought the concept was quite clever, but I got sick of it after a while.
September 17, 2023
Brilliant writing that traverses different perspectives and lived experiences so well. This book comes with a huge trigger warning for s*xual assault and goes into graphic detail about the subject material. A poignant reminder of our jury system and how it treats survivors.
Read
August 8, 2023DNF ….. that should say it all !
Read
November 1, 2023Everyone needs to read this. What a powerful novel. All the characters felt real and I had to put the book down occasionally cause they enraged me.
January 6, 2024
This book left me with many questions about our legal system. It is a terrifying read as a woman and a mother.
Would I recommend it, yes. Would I want to read it again - probably not.
Would I recommend it, yes. Would I want to read it again - probably not.
August 14, 2024
Very well-written, thought out story, told from each juror's perspective for a trial for sexual assault allegations. The structure was clever and allowed insight into each juror's way of thinking and prejudices brought.
September 22, 2023
The main theme throughout this book is consent. And how different people determine what consent is, how consent is given or not given - whether consent is active or passive, or if consent is not given, can another person reasonably believe they have consent anyway.
The book infuriated me - it explores the tropes of how people of different ages, genders and background conceive sexual misconduct and rape.
This novel also highlights how young boys who conduct themselves in such a manner get sympathy from the public “they’re so young, do they deserve to have their lives ruined by going to jail” - newsflash - they do.
Ultimately the verdict was thoroughly disappointing- but conceivable that a jury would come to these conclusions (I hope I would stand my ground however if I were in this jury)
This novel was just a reflection of how many young men get light punishments even when convicted. I was hoping the ending would go in another direction - highlight women and girls as truth tellers. The lives of victims are forever changed.. the same should be of the perpetrator. Alas, if you are after a novel with a just ending, this is not the book for you.
I was invested in the court case - but each chapter is from the POV of each juror, and gives you excerpts into each of their lives - therefore there were large parts of the novel I didn’t really care about and didn’t provide any substance to the story.
I probably wouldn’t recommend this book to any friends, but if people I do know read it, I’d happily discuss it with animation and gusto.
The book infuriated me - it explores the tropes of how people of different ages, genders and background conceive sexual misconduct and rape.
This novel also highlights how young boys who conduct themselves in such a manner get sympathy from the public “they’re so young, do they deserve to have their lives ruined by going to jail” - newsflash - they do.
Ultimately the verdict was thoroughly disappointing- but conceivable that a jury would come to these conclusions (I hope I would stand my ground however if I were in this jury)
This novel was just a reflection of how many young men get light punishments even when convicted. I was hoping the ending would go in another direction - highlight women and girls as truth tellers. The lives of victims are forever changed.. the same should be of the perpetrator. Alas, if you are after a novel with a just ending, this is not the book for you.
I was invested in the court case - but each chapter is from the POV of each juror, and gives you excerpts into each of their lives - therefore there were large parts of the novel I didn’t really care about and didn’t provide any substance to the story.
I probably wouldn’t recommend this book to any friends, but if people I do know read it, I’d happily discuss it with animation and gusto.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2024
I did not know what this was going in - I thought it was a quick crime novel/courtroom procedural by a Kiwi Author with high drama and a fast pace. This was something completely different, a product of over 7 years of effort and a PhD in creative writing. This book feels like a dramatisation of a real court case.
I have to commend how well thought out the trial, testimony, and cross examination scenes are. It creates the same tension in your brain that the jury experiences. While I was never personally sold that any of the boys were innocent, I could see how a reasonable person *could* argue against a conviction. This shows that the system is not built for this type of crime, and artfully illustrates it instead of telling you.
My only real gripe is that since theres 12 (eventually 11) characters in the Jury, many are going to be stock archetypes and nobody really gets development. This is fine. the book is about the trial. It just (perhaps intentionally) became a bit of a drag when the conversations all go like:
Eva: he did that
Mark: Nah
Scott: I am pro-sexual assault its so awesome
Les: hmmm idk guys its tough
I think strong characters would have made this book truly special, but for now I'm happy to call it "quite good!"
I have to commend how well thought out the trial, testimony, and cross examination scenes are. It creates the same tension in your brain that the jury experiences. While I was never personally sold that any of the boys were innocent, I could see how a reasonable person *could* argue against a conviction. This shows that the system is not built for this type of crime, and artfully illustrates it instead of telling you.
My only real gripe is that since theres 12 (eventually 11) characters in the Jury, many are going to be stock archetypes and nobody really gets development. This is fine. the book is about the trial. It just (perhaps intentionally) became a bit of a drag when the conversations all go like:
Eva: he did that
Mark: Nah
Scott: I am pro-sexual assault its so awesome
Les: hmmm idk guys its tough
I think strong characters would have made this book truly special, but for now I'm happy to call it "quite good!"
August 11, 2023
I’m not sure ‘enjoyed’ is a term that can be used when reading a novel about teenage boys being tried for sexual abuse and rape but this courtroom drama about what constitutes consent was certainly interesting and engaging. It focuses on the jury rather than the defendants, claimants or lawyers and gives each their own chapter and perspective. Obviously it won’t be for everyone but an excellent debut novel for Claire Baylis.
August 16, 2023
This book is not for everyone, which is a pity. If only young girls could read it and understand that they can say no. But it is not written for them.
I read it compulsively in one day. Yes, lots of characters, but they gradually come into sharper focus.
I loved how it also gave greater insights into the jury system, especially the NZ one, which is different to the movies we see. Creepy Scott - I hope Bethany trusts her instincts!
I read it compulsively in one day. Yes, lots of characters, but they gradually come into sharper focus.
I loved how it also gave greater insights into the jury system, especially the NZ one, which is different to the movies we see. Creepy Scott - I hope Bethany trusts her instincts!
May 25, 2024
.
I am horrified if the justice system is like this. the author has portrayed a court case about rape from young adult boys and the injustice of the jury system. I was disgusted, shocked and gripped throughout.
I am horrified if the justice system is like this. the author has portrayed a court case about rape from young adult boys and the injustice of the jury system. I was disgusted, shocked and gripped throughout.
August 14, 2024
Yikes hard read
October 23, 2023
A game of Dice leads to sexual impropriety between a bunch of New Zealand school kids, so a jury is selected for the court case to try and determine the truth. This novel is almost completely set in a courtroom as twelve jurors bring their own experiences, prejudices, traumas, and backstories into play - it’s up to them to determine which of the parties is lying or telling the truth. Who do they believe beyond reasonable doubt?
By demonstrating how cloudy some issues are regarding sexual consent, this novel does a great job in drawing out how personal prejudices and histories can confuse our own decision-making processes.
Told from each of the jurors’ perspectives (but third party POV, not first), I was occasionally confused with whose perspective I was seeing. Ultimately, though, I enjoyed this novel, even though courtroom dramas are not my first choice of fiction reading.
By demonstrating how cloudy some issues are regarding sexual consent, this novel does a great job in drawing out how personal prejudices and histories can confuse our own decision-making processes.
Told from each of the jurors’ perspectives (but third party POV, not first), I was occasionally confused with whose perspective I was seeing. Ultimately, though, I enjoyed this novel, even though courtroom dramas are not my first choice of fiction reading.
August 4, 2024
A truely gripping but confronting book that explores the jury system in New Zealand. I enjoyed the chapter layout, and how the varied mix of characters capture multiple opinions, despite some of these being controversial. I thought it was creatively written and a unique topic of fiction, which I found highly thought provoking and insightful.
January 29, 2024
Nope. So glad it’s finally finished. Too many characters with uninteresting and irrelevant backstories that don’t add anything to the plot. A very frustrating read in both the way it was written and also the jury’s deliberation process.
November 25, 2023
Love it! It feels like I am one of the juror in the case. It slightly shakes my belief in the justice system.
February 14, 2024
eNRAGING but very good
December 28, 2023
A must read but definitely needs a trigger warning. Confronting, frustrating at times and all too real
August 19, 2023
Not many books actually bring a visceral response of anger, but this one did. On many levels but especially during deliberation. Having sat in a jury as foreperson I have experienced this in a complicated multiple defendant case and no way in Hell would such a quick deliberation happen with such an appalling result. Booked flights and wanting to get back to day to day life and a one afternoon deliberation for complex charges resulting in a ridiculous judgement. Overall I enjoyed the book but the end made me angry, which maybe was the authors intent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2025
One of the best books I’ve read in a while. A harrowing and unforgettable courtroom drama from a NZ author and set in NZ. All from the perspective of the jury, from jury selection to the verdict. It’s a timely exploration of how sexual violence/ assault is viewed in our society. Centres around four teenage boys who invent a sex game based on the toss of a dice, and how the 12 juror interpret the trial.
August 21, 2023
I think everyone should read this. Teens and parents of teens or soon to be teens especially. The writing isn't the best but the content is a must read. The idea of what is consent. How do you not put yourself in a position where anything can be misread. Never assume someone is into it especially if alcohol or drugs are involved. Take into account the games with the dice the attitude of these boys is disgusting. It was really interesting to read from the perspective of the jury. I can see how real it is that everyone would bring their own history and bias into a case whether they mean to or not. So much to unpack I could go into a very long discussion... 🤣🤣🤣 just read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews