What do you think?
Rate this book
The Trial
10 hours
2014, Dublin: at St Edmunds, an elite college on the outskirts of the city, twenty-year-old medical student Theo gets up one morning, leaving behind his sleeping girlfriend, Dani, and his studies - never to be seen again. With too many unanswered questions, Dani simply can't accept Theo's disappearance and reports him missing, even though no one else seems concerned, including Theo's father.
Ten years later, Dani returns to the college as a history professor. With her mother suffering from severe dementia, and her past at St Edmunds still haunting her, she's trying for a new start. But not all is as it seems behind the cloistered college walls - meanwhile, Dani is hiding secrets of her own.
2014, Dublin: at St Edmunds, an elite college on the outskirts of the city, twenty-year-old medical student Theo gets up one morning, leaving behind his sleeping girlfriend, Dani, and his studies - never to be seen again. With too many unanswered questions, Dani simply can't accept Theo's disappearance and reports him missing, even though no one else seems concerned, including Theo's father.
Ten years later, Dani returns to the college as a history professor. With her mother suffering from severe dementia, and her past at St Edmunds still haunting her, she's trying for a new start. But not all is as it seems behind the cloistered college walls - meanwhile, Dani is hiding secrets of her own.
Audible Audio
First published June 6, 2024
277 people are currently reading
6813 people want to read
About the author
Jo Spain
24 books1,177 followersJo Spain is the author of the bestselling Inspector Tom Reynolds series and several international No. 1 bestselling standalone novels. Her first book, With Our Blessing, was a finalist in the 2015 Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller.
Jo, a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, writes TV screenplays full-time. Her first crime series was broadcast on RTE in 2018 and she's currently involved in a number of TV developments including adaptations of her own novels. In 2021, she co-wrote Harry Wild, starring Jane Seymour, with the Emmy award-winning David Logan (airing 2022).
Jo lives in Dublin with her husband and four young children. In her spare time (she has four children, there is no spare time really) she likes to read. Her favourite authors include Pierre Lemaitre, Jo Nesbo, Liane Moriarty, Fred Vargas and Jodi Picoult. She also watches TV obsessively.
Jo thinks up her plots on long runs in the woods. Her husband sleeps with one eye open.
Jo, a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, writes TV screenplays full-time. Her first crime series was broadcast on RTE in 2018 and she's currently involved in a number of TV developments including adaptations of her own novels. In 2021, she co-wrote Harry Wild, starring Jane Seymour, with the Emmy award-winning David Logan (airing 2022).
Jo lives in Dublin with her husband and four young children. In her spare time (she has four children, there is no spare time really) she likes to read. Her favourite authors include Pierre Lemaitre, Jo Nesbo, Liane Moriarty, Fred Vargas and Jodi Picoult. She also watches TV obsessively.
Jo thinks up her plots on long runs in the woods. Her husband sleeps with one eye open.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
April 26, 2024
EXCERPT: Before she arrives at her destination, she hesitates.
For a moment, she thinks she feels somebody's eyes on her. She spins on her heel and looks back at where she's just come from.
She sees, or thinks she sees, the shadow of somebody who's just turned the corner.
He's gone now, but she suspects she knows who it is.
She knew he'd be watching her.
She just didn't think he'd start so soon.
ABOUT 'THE TRIAL': 2014, Dublin: at St Edmunds, an elite college on the outskirts of the city, twenty-year-old medical student Theo gets up one morning, leaving behind his sleeping girlfriend, Dani, and his studies - never to be seen again. With too many unanswered questions, Dani simply can't accept Theo's disappearance and reports him missing, even though no one else seems concerned, including Theo's father.
Ten years later, Dani returns to the college as a history professor. With her mother suffering from severe dementia, and her past at St Edmunds still haunting her, she's trying for a new start. But not all is as it seems behind the cloistered college walls - meanwhile, Dani is hiding secrets of her own.
MY THOUGHTS: Only a few pages in, I got that lovely prickling sensation on the back of my neck that meant I was in for a great read. And it was.
Jo Spain has created a tension, a heightened level of suspense that just didn't let up until I closed the cover for the final time and was able to take a deep breath.
The story is told over two timelines, 2014 and 2024, almost exclusively from the point of view of Dani. In 2014 she is mystified and devastated first by the disappearance of her boyfriend Theo and the diagnosis of her mother's Alzheimer's. 2024 and she is back at her old college on the faculty staff where her past keeps coming back to haunt her and something unsavory is going on that may adversely affect the health of millions of Alzheimer's patients.
The Trial is an exceedingly well written thriller. Its premise is topical and plausible; the execution flawless. The chapters are short and snappy, the tension palpable, the twists fresh and interesting.
Highly recommended.
The Trial by Jo Spain is scheduled for publication 25 April 2024.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheTrial #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Jo, a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, writes TV screenplays full-time. She lives in Dublin with her husband and four young children. In her spare time (she has four children, there is no spare time really) she likes to read. She also watches TV obsessively.
Jo thinks up her plots on long runs in the woods. Her husband sleeps with one eye open.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Quercus Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Trial by Jo Spain for review. all opinions expressed in this review are my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
For a moment, she thinks she feels somebody's eyes on her. She spins on her heel and looks back at where she's just come from.
She sees, or thinks she sees, the shadow of somebody who's just turned the corner.
He's gone now, but she suspects she knows who it is.
She knew he'd be watching her.
She just didn't think he'd start so soon.
ABOUT 'THE TRIAL': 2014, Dublin: at St Edmunds, an elite college on the outskirts of the city, twenty-year-old medical student Theo gets up one morning, leaving behind his sleeping girlfriend, Dani, and his studies - never to be seen again. With too many unanswered questions, Dani simply can't accept Theo's disappearance and reports him missing, even though no one else seems concerned, including Theo's father.
Ten years later, Dani returns to the college as a history professor. With her mother suffering from severe dementia, and her past at St Edmunds still haunting her, she's trying for a new start. But not all is as it seems behind the cloistered college walls - meanwhile, Dani is hiding secrets of her own.
MY THOUGHTS: Only a few pages in, I got that lovely prickling sensation on the back of my neck that meant I was in for a great read. And it was.
Jo Spain has created a tension, a heightened level of suspense that just didn't let up until I closed the cover for the final time and was able to take a deep breath.
The story is told over two timelines, 2014 and 2024, almost exclusively from the point of view of Dani. In 2014 she is mystified and devastated first by the disappearance of her boyfriend Theo and the diagnosis of her mother's Alzheimer's. 2024 and she is back at her old college on the faculty staff where her past keeps coming back to haunt her and something unsavory is going on that may adversely affect the health of millions of Alzheimer's patients.
The Trial is an exceedingly well written thriller. Its premise is topical and plausible; the execution flawless. The chapters are short and snappy, the tension palpable, the twists fresh and interesting.
Highly recommended.
The Trial by Jo Spain is scheduled for publication 25 April 2024.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheTrial #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Jo, a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, writes TV screenplays full-time. She lives in Dublin with her husband and four young children. In her spare time (she has four children, there is no spare time really) she likes to read. She also watches TV obsessively.
Jo thinks up her plots on long runs in the woods. Her husband sleeps with one eye open.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Quercus Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Trial by Jo Spain for review. all opinions expressed in this review are my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
March 11, 2024
2014, St Edmunds College Dublin, an elite university.
Early one morning, medical student, Theo Laurent quietly leaves his much loved girlfriend, Dani MacLochlainn, believing it to be for the best. Dani grows increasingly concerned and then overwhelmed with worry for him and nothing she learns is making any sense.
In September 2024, Dani returns to St Edmunds as a history tutor, a place she vows she’ll never return as her heart shatters ten years previously. Why has she returned to a place that has such bad memories for her? Perhaps she needs a fresh start and a distraction as her beloved mother Cora is now in the advance stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Whatever her reasons, nothing is ever as simple as it seems.
You know those books you begrudge setting to on side when real life dares to get in the way? This is one of those as the excellent Jo Spain knocks it out of the park with this utterly compelling new thriller. She has written some very good books, but this is the author at her peak, at her very best, in my opinion. I don’t want to say much about what lies at the heart of this but what I can say is that it’s totally believable and makes for mesmerising reading. It’s immersive from beginning to end and a real page turner.
The plot is extremely well thought out, the acadamia setting is terrific, adding an atmosphere all of its own. I really like the character of Dani who has a lot to bear. It’s full of tension and suspense with numerous excellent twists and turns. There are vibes from the start, off notes, moments of discomfort and palpable anxiety, which changes becoming more and more chilling and dangerous the deeper it goes. My suspicion antenna twitches furiously in several directions and one fools me completely.
I think this is a cracker of a read and I get off the rollercoaster ride with the greatest of reluctance. The ending is just as good as the beginning and the middle (hallelujah) and I like the outcome and the tone of the ending which fits perfectly. A highly recommended read.
With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to Quercus Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Early one morning, medical student, Theo Laurent quietly leaves his much loved girlfriend, Dani MacLochlainn, believing it to be for the best. Dani grows increasingly concerned and then overwhelmed with worry for him and nothing she learns is making any sense.
In September 2024, Dani returns to St Edmunds as a history tutor, a place she vows she’ll never return as her heart shatters ten years previously. Why has she returned to a place that has such bad memories for her? Perhaps she needs a fresh start and a distraction as her beloved mother Cora is now in the advance stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Whatever her reasons, nothing is ever as simple as it seems.
You know those books you begrudge setting to on side when real life dares to get in the way? This is one of those as the excellent Jo Spain knocks it out of the park with this utterly compelling new thriller. She has written some very good books, but this is the author at her peak, at her very best, in my opinion. I don’t want to say much about what lies at the heart of this but what I can say is that it’s totally believable and makes for mesmerising reading. It’s immersive from beginning to end and a real page turner.
The plot is extremely well thought out, the acadamia setting is terrific, adding an atmosphere all of its own. I really like the character of Dani who has a lot to bear. It’s full of tension and suspense with numerous excellent twists and turns. There are vibes from the start, off notes, moments of discomfort and palpable anxiety, which changes becoming more and more chilling and dangerous the deeper it goes. My suspicion antenna twitches furiously in several directions and one fools me completely.
I think this is a cracker of a read and I get off the rollercoaster ride with the greatest of reluctance. The ending is just as good as the beginning and the middle (hallelujah) and I like the outcome and the tone of the ending which fits perfectly. A highly recommended read.
With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to Quercus Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
March 10, 2024
Easy 5 stars for the new Jo Spain book. She never fails to impress me with her page turning thrillers and this might be one of her best yet. I could not stop reading it and ended up demolishing it in just a few hours. It was dark, emotional and twisty and I loved every minute of it.
Dani is returning to St Edmunds College 10 years after she left. Now she is a history lecturer, but in 2014 she was a student in love. The love her of her life, Theo, just vanished one day and she has never recovered. Now she is back and still looking for answers, as she deals with her mother’s Alzheimers.
Through alternate timelines, we learn about Dani and Theo and what happened in 2014 and how it links up to today. I felt that the author did a really great job dealing with such a sensitive subject, and I had tears in my eyes reading some of the scenes with Dani and her mother.
Nothing is really what is seems and I loved that I was kept guessing throughout.
Thank you so so much to Quercus for the early copy of this book to read. Always a pleasure to read this authors work.
Published on April 25th
Dani is returning to St Edmunds College 10 years after she left. Now she is a history lecturer, but in 2014 she was a student in love. The love her of her life, Theo, just vanished one day and she has never recovered. Now she is back and still looking for answers, as she deals with her mother’s Alzheimers.
Through alternate timelines, we learn about Dani and Theo and what happened in 2014 and how it links up to today. I felt that the author did a really great job dealing with such a sensitive subject, and I had tears in my eyes reading some of the scenes with Dani and her mother.
Nothing is really what is seems and I loved that I was kept guessing throughout.
Thank you so so much to Quercus for the early copy of this book to read. Always a pleasure to read this authors work.
Published on April 25th
September 22, 2025
Took me a while to get into but not in a bad way, there was just A LOT of information. There were so many twists, especially as we were following two timelines in which Dani is similar in both yet also has matured at a character. Overall a solid thriller.
Big TW for Alzheimer’s as this is a really raw portrayal
Big TW for Alzheimer’s as this is a really raw portrayal
July 25, 2024
4.5 stars 🤩
The Trial - Jo Spain
I love a book set within academia - even better when it’s unputdownable like The Trial.
Told in duel duel time lines - 2014 and 2024.
In 2014 Dani was a student and dating Theo, the were both madly in love with each other … until he just simply disappeared never to been seen again.
Fast forward to 2024 and Dani returns to St Edmunds college as a lecturer, but also to try and uncover what happened around the disappearance of Theo. While Dani is searching for answers from ten years ago, she is also dealing with the heartbreak of watching her mum suffer through Alzheimers.
Jo Spain is one of my favourite authors and The Trial did not disappoint. The timelines seamlessly blended together and the clever plot and narrative were simply brilliant. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for an e-arc.
The Trial - Jo Spain
I love a book set within academia - even better when it’s unputdownable like The Trial.
Told in duel duel time lines - 2014 and 2024.
In 2014 Dani was a student and dating Theo, the were both madly in love with each other … until he just simply disappeared never to been seen again.
Fast forward to 2024 and Dani returns to St Edmunds college as a lecturer, but also to try and uncover what happened around the disappearance of Theo. While Dani is searching for answers from ten years ago, she is also dealing with the heartbreak of watching her mum suffer through Alzheimers.
Jo Spain is one of my favourite authors and The Trial did not disappoint. The timelines seamlessly blended together and the clever plot and narrative were simply brilliant. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for an e-arc.
April 26, 2024
The Trial is the seventh stand-alone novel by best-selling Irish author, Jo Spain. Ten years after she was a student there, Danielle McLochlainn is back, somewhat reluctantly, at Dublin’s prestige university, St Edmund’s, as a history professor. Many of the teaching staff will recall how distressed she was, back in 2014, when Theo Laurent, her boyfriend of eighteen months, disappeared without trace.
Being back where it happened evokes memories Dani would rather not dredge up. At the time, it was claimed that Theo, highly intelligent and passionate about medicine, had abandoned the course he loved at the School of Medical Research to go travelling, but several aspects around his sudden departure had Dani convinced that something had happened to him. Her concerns were summarily dismissed, and then urgent family issues became her priority.
Now, Dani is here for a different reason, and not necessarily the one she has given, but what she encounters has her wondering if it bears any relation to Theo’s assumed fate a decade earlier.
Much more cannot be said without spoilers, except that this is a brilliantly-plotted, tense, thought-provoking thriller that examines the potential for corruption in drug trials. Spain’s characters are wholly credible, her setting is expertly rendered, and she includes enough red herrings and twists to keep the pages turning and the reader guessing right up to the final reveal. Yet another novel proving that anything by Jo Spain is a must-read!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Quercus
Being back where it happened evokes memories Dani would rather not dredge up. At the time, it was claimed that Theo, highly intelligent and passionate about medicine, had abandoned the course he loved at the School of Medical Research to go travelling, but several aspects around his sudden departure had Dani convinced that something had happened to him. Her concerns were summarily dismissed, and then urgent family issues became her priority.
Now, Dani is here for a different reason, and not necessarily the one she has given, but what she encounters has her wondering if it bears any relation to Theo’s assumed fate a decade earlier.
Much more cannot be said without spoilers, except that this is a brilliantly-plotted, tense, thought-provoking thriller that examines the potential for corruption in drug trials. Spain’s characters are wholly credible, her setting is expertly rendered, and she includes enough red herrings and twists to keep the pages turning and the reader guessing right up to the final reveal. Yet another novel proving that anything by Jo Spain is a must-read!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Quercus
June 5, 2024
3.5 / 5
Unfortunately I think this book isn’t as great as the previous books Spain has produced, I felt that the plot was dragging on too long and the last 50 pages had more action in the plot than the previous 100 pages. Although the writing is good and cohesive, I found the plot plateaued halfway through and I began to lose interest. I found the ending slightly underwhelming and poor - all that build up and lead up for the big reveal which didn’t live up to its class Spain standards.
In all honestly, I don’t think I’ll remember the plot of this book in the next month- it was that underwhelming. Essentially the book follows Dani, who had previously studied in St edmunds a prestigious colleague where she meets the love of her life Theo. One day Theo leaves early in the morning leaving her sleeping girlfriend and never seen again, leaving Dani in the dark. Ten year later Dani returns to the colleague this time as a colleague professor with her mum becoming seriously ill. However the past comes back to haunt her…
Unfortunately I think this book isn’t as great as the previous books Spain has produced, I felt that the plot was dragging on too long and the last 50 pages had more action in the plot than the previous 100 pages. Although the writing is good and cohesive, I found the plot plateaued halfway through and I began to lose interest. I found the ending slightly underwhelming and poor - all that build up and lead up for the big reveal which didn’t live up to its class Spain standards.
In all honestly, I don’t think I’ll remember the plot of this book in the next month- it was that underwhelming. Essentially the book follows Dani, who had previously studied in St edmunds a prestigious colleague where she meets the love of her life Theo. One day Theo leaves early in the morning leaving her sleeping girlfriend and never seen again, leaving Dani in the dark. Ten year later Dani returns to the colleague this time as a colleague professor with her mum becoming seriously ill. However the past comes back to haunt her…
March 28, 2024
Another great twisty crime thriller from Jo Spain.
The action is split into two timelines - 2014 when our protagonist, Dani, is studying at St Edmunds. She is young and in love with Theo, a brilliant medical student. However Theo has walked out early one morning and disappeared. Dani's time at uni becomes a nightmare as she tries to find Theo while chasing down leads of where he may have gone and why.
We jump forward to 2024 where Dani is now a detective for the Garda Siochana, investigating the college she was a student at. The medical science research facility for which St Edmunds is famous is under scrutiny following concerns raised over their testing of a saviour drug that could stop or even reverse the effects of Alzheimer's.
Dani is torn between wanting the drug to work because her mother has been suffering the effects of Alzheimer's for 10 years but also because she suspects that St Edmunds aren't just covering up dodgy research but also that it has something to do with Theo's disappearance.
As usual Jo Spain manages to throw us several curveballs along the twisty way to the end of this book. I'm afraid that it missed out on full marks because there were times when it felt like we were going slowly around in circles. However if you like a slow burn it'll be right up your street. The end itself is at breakneck speed with a twist or two right at the finish.
Altogether a really good book that I'd highly recommend. The subject matter of dementia runs throughout the book and its not an easy read in that respect but dementia of all types touches so many lives and, as we've seen in the past, Big Pharma is not above massaging figures and results to earn the big bucks.
Thankyou so much to Quercus Books and Netgalley for pre-approval of the advance review copy. Delighted to receive it.
The action is split into two timelines - 2014 when our protagonist, Dani, is studying at St Edmunds. She is young and in love with Theo, a brilliant medical student. However Theo has walked out early one morning and disappeared. Dani's time at uni becomes a nightmare as she tries to find Theo while chasing down leads of where he may have gone and why.
We jump forward to 2024 where Dani is now a detective for the Garda Siochana, investigating the college she was a student at. The medical science research facility for which St Edmunds is famous is under scrutiny following concerns raised over their testing of a saviour drug that could stop or even reverse the effects of Alzheimer's.
Dani is torn between wanting the drug to work because her mother has been suffering the effects of Alzheimer's for 10 years but also because she suspects that St Edmunds aren't just covering up dodgy research but also that it has something to do with Theo's disappearance.
As usual Jo Spain manages to throw us several curveballs along the twisty way to the end of this book. I'm afraid that it missed out on full marks because there were times when it felt like we were going slowly around in circles. However if you like a slow burn it'll be right up your street. The end itself is at breakneck speed with a twist or two right at the finish.
Altogether a really good book that I'd highly recommend. The subject matter of dementia runs throughout the book and its not an easy read in that respect but dementia of all types touches so many lives and, as we've seen in the past, Big Pharma is not above massaging figures and results to earn the big bucks.
Thankyou so much to Quercus Books and Netgalley for pre-approval of the advance review copy. Delighted to receive it.
July 24, 2024
This is a story of potential pharma shenanigans, but not of a downtrodden lawyer who gets huge damages for downtrodden plaintiffs.
The main character is someone who the reader can root for, and the bad are very bad indeed.
I found myself skimming bits towards the end, having been engaged with most of the book.
I have enjoyed Jo Spain's other books, therefore this is my least favourite, but still readable nonetheless.
The main character is someone who the reader can root for, and the bad are very bad indeed.
I found myself skimming bits towards the end, having been engaged with most of the book.
I have enjoyed Jo Spain's other books, therefore this is my least favourite, but still readable nonetheless.
April 6, 2024
2014
Dani and Theo study at an elite university St Edmonds College in Dublin Ireland. Early one morning he gets up and leaves Dani in bed, to be never seen again. At first Dani thinks he a has gone home to his parents in France. But no has had contact with him and Dani fears the worst. Why has Theo left without telling her? They were both happy, so what happened?
2024.
Dani now has returned to St Edmonds playing undercover as a history tutor with some hesitation. Hoping all what happened to her ten years ago, doesn’t come back to haunt her. The college is providing research and a drugs trial for a new drug to cure Alzheimer’s. She has a personal interest as her mother is in the latter stage of the disease. It soon come to light that there is a link to it and Theo’s disappearance.
The Trial by Jo Spain is another intriguing story by the author. I was expecting a court room drama and I confess I didn’t read the blurb, so I was surprised how it turned out. But I need not have worried about this. This is a gripping drama that I couldn’t put down except for the ending which for me personally dragged a bit at the end. 4 stars from me.
Dani and Theo study at an elite university St Edmonds College in Dublin Ireland. Early one morning he gets up and leaves Dani in bed, to be never seen again. At first Dani thinks he a has gone home to his parents in France. But no has had contact with him and Dani fears the worst. Why has Theo left without telling her? They were both happy, so what happened?
2024.
Dani now has returned to St Edmonds playing undercover as a history tutor with some hesitation. Hoping all what happened to her ten years ago, doesn’t come back to haunt her. The college is providing research and a drugs trial for a new drug to cure Alzheimer’s. She has a personal interest as her mother is in the latter stage of the disease. It soon come to light that there is a link to it and Theo’s disappearance.
The Trial by Jo Spain is another intriguing story by the author. I was expecting a court room drama and I confess I didn’t read the blurb, so I was surprised how it turned out. But I need not have worried about this. This is a gripping drama that I couldn’t put down except for the ending which for me personally dragged a bit at the end. 4 stars from me.
April 20, 2024
The Trial is an immersive dual-timeline mystery about an Irish college history professor who returns to the exclusive university she abandoned in second year after her boyfriend went missing. I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoilers, but the title gives away that part of the mystery involves a medical trial. I’ve worked as an investigator running clinical trials for nine years, so aspects of this didn’t ring true for me, but they aren’t things that would bother the average layperson. This is the fifth book I’ve read by this author, and while I haven’t loved all of them, when she’s good, she’s very good!
Dani MacLochlainn never got over the way her medical student boyfriend Theo got up one night and left her without saying goodbye ten years ago. She went to extreme lengths to try and find him, but has finally moved on, and is taking a junior professor post at her old university on the outskirts of Dublin. She learns that the well regarded medical research department is running a trial of a new wonder drug for Alzheimers disease, led by a charismatic clinician, which is of intense interest to her because her beloved mother is fading away from the same disease. The findings sound promising - so why did a nurse who raised concerns about side-effects die in suspicious circumstances, and who are the sinister drug company employees lurking on campus?
This is mostly told from Dani’s third person present POV in chapters that alternate between 2014 and the present. She’s a sympathetic character and we feel her mounting frustration as no one takes her concerns about Theo’s uncharacteristic absence seriously. In 2024, she’s older but still an impulsive risk-taker, and once her suspicions are raised, she’ll stop at nothing - including some highly dubious tactics - to get to the truth. The plot has a series of twists that are so well done that I didn’t see them coming, and enough cunning misdirection to keep me guessing.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the ARC. I’m posting this honest review voluntarily. The Trial is published on April 25th.
Dani MacLochlainn never got over the way her medical student boyfriend Theo got up one night and left her without saying goodbye ten years ago. She went to extreme lengths to try and find him, but has finally moved on, and is taking a junior professor post at her old university on the outskirts of Dublin. She learns that the well regarded medical research department is running a trial of a new wonder drug for Alzheimers disease, led by a charismatic clinician, which is of intense interest to her because her beloved mother is fading away from the same disease. The findings sound promising - so why did a nurse who raised concerns about side-effects die in suspicious circumstances, and who are the sinister drug company employees lurking on campus?
This is mostly told from Dani’s third person present POV in chapters that alternate between 2014 and the present. She’s a sympathetic character and we feel her mounting frustration as no one takes her concerns about Theo’s uncharacteristic absence seriously. In 2024, she’s older but still an impulsive risk-taker, and once her suspicions are raised, she’ll stop at nothing - including some highly dubious tactics - to get to the truth. The plot has a series of twists that are so well done that I didn’t see them coming, and enough cunning misdirection to keep me guessing.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the ARC. I’m posting this honest review voluntarily. The Trial is published on April 25th.
May 12, 2024
Disappointing and far fetched
I’ve read several other books by Jo Spain and found this one very disappointing by comparison. The story is pretty far fetched with way too many coincidences.. The leading character Dani manages on two separate occasions to ‘guess’ someone’s computer/email passwords (it’s that easy, just like in the movies).. Without wanting to give spoilers I’ll just say that the ending, in my opinion, was totally far fetched and not credible. A pity ☹️
I’ve read several other books by Jo Spain and found this one very disappointing by comparison. The story is pretty far fetched with way too many coincidences.. The leading character Dani manages on two separate occasions to ‘guess’ someone’s computer/email passwords (it’s that easy, just like in the movies).. Without wanting to give spoilers I’ll just say that the ending, in my opinion, was totally far fetched and not credible. A pity ☹️
August 14, 2024
Let me say first, I totally misinterpreted the title of the book! It's also my first standalone from Jo Spain since I started my experience with reading her Tom Reynolds series! What I realized is that I like her writing style, be it a standalone or her series!
The plot, though not fast-paced, is intriguing, and Dani, the main character, is written in such a way that has you invested in her story and what will happen to her in the future!
What happened to her in the past is heartbreaking to read about, and everything else she has to deal with makes a strong character!
George is another likeable character, and it's a shame he wasn't more present throughout the story!
What I enjoyed most is the twist of the twist. Even though I try not to use it in my reviews, I can't see any other way around it!
My two complaints are that the end felt a bit rushed and that revelation about Theo seemed to come out of the blue!
There were the occasional editing errors, and I think my copy had a problem in between two chapters despite the numbering of the pages being correct!
The plot, though not fast-paced, is intriguing, and Dani, the main character, is written in such a way that has you invested in her story and what will happen to her in the future!
What happened to her in the past is heartbreaking to read about, and everything else she has to deal with makes a strong character!
George is another likeable character, and it's a shame he wasn't more present throughout the story!
What I enjoyed most is the twist of the twist. Even though I try not to use it in my reviews, I can't see any other way around it!
My two complaints are that the end felt a bit rushed and that revelation about Theo seemed to come out of the blue!
There were the occasional editing errors, and I think my copy had a problem in between two chapters despite the numbering of the pages being correct!
March 9, 2024
4.5/5
Thank you so much Quercus and Net Galley for an advance copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review.
The book follows dual time lines of Dani in 2014, she is a History student at elite college St Edmunds where her boyfriend Theo goes missing. 10 years later she returns to the college as a lecturer where she makes a friend Colm who is working on clinical trials for new Alzheimer medication.
Jo Spain has knocked it out the park once again. I love how no 2 books of her are the same. This is nothing like what she’s written in the past but it’s still incredible!
If you love your Mum or if anyone you know has suffered from Alzheimer’s - you are going to sob your heart out and ugly cry 😭
Even though this is a thriller, it’s heartbreaking, clever and it sparks a real moral debate.
Everyone needs to read this for two reasons! The first… it’s incredible, why would you not want to read it. 😉 And secondly and selfishly, I need you to read it so we can discuss!! 😂
Thank you so much Quercus and Net Galley for an advance copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review.
The book follows dual time lines of Dani in 2014, she is a History student at elite college St Edmunds where her boyfriend Theo goes missing. 10 years later she returns to the college as a lecturer where she makes a friend Colm who is working on clinical trials for new Alzheimer medication.
Jo Spain has knocked it out the park once again. I love how no 2 books of her are the same. This is nothing like what she’s written in the past but it’s still incredible!
If you love your Mum or if anyone you know has suffered from Alzheimer’s - you are going to sob your heart out and ugly cry 😭
Even though this is a thriller, it’s heartbreaking, clever and it sparks a real moral debate.
Everyone needs to read this for two reasons! The first… it’s incredible, why would you not want to read it. 😉 And secondly and selfishly, I need you to read it so we can discuss!! 😂
June 19, 2024
In 2014, at St Edmunds, an elite college on the outskirts of the city, twenty-year-old medical student Theo gets up one morning, leaving behind his sleeping girlfriend, Dani, and his studies. He is never seen again.
Dani investigates his disappearance to no avail. Now, ten years later, she returns to the college as a professor but the ghosts of the past return and she can't help but consider further what really happened to Theo.
I found the blurb of this one did not give much away and I am so pleased with that, as I found myself in a story that was totally unexpected. The academia setting is always a winner for me and this, combined with Dani's secrets that come to light and the mystery that unfolds around Theo, was so suspenseful. The timelines in the story were so well crafted and this was another sensational novel by the author.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Quercus Books for this gifted review copy.
Dani investigates his disappearance to no avail. Now, ten years later, she returns to the college as a professor but the ghosts of the past return and she can't help but consider further what really happened to Theo.
I found the blurb of this one did not give much away and I am so pleased with that, as I found myself in a story that was totally unexpected. The academia setting is always a winner for me and this, combined with Dani's secrets that come to light and the mystery that unfolds around Theo, was so suspenseful. The timelines in the story were so well crafted and this was another sensational novel by the author.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Quercus Books for this gifted review copy.
April 20, 2024
This is a great thriller.
The story covers two timelines - 2014 when Dani was studying at St Edmunds in Dublin and 2024 when Dani takes on a job there as a history professor.
We learn that something happened in 2014 that Dani has never really recovered from.
Now she is dealing with a new role and is concerned about her Mum as she has Alzheimer’s.
There is a drugs trial taking place and as it’s to do with finding a cure for Alzheimer’s, Dani needs to find out more.
It’s hard to say anymore without spoiling the rest of the story, so I’ll leave it there.
I really enjoyed this book and there’s some great twists and turns in the story.
Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The story covers two timelines - 2014 when Dani was studying at St Edmunds in Dublin and 2024 when Dani takes on a job there as a history professor.
We learn that something happened in 2014 that Dani has never really recovered from.
Now she is dealing with a new role and is concerned about her Mum as she has Alzheimer’s.
There is a drugs trial taking place and as it’s to do with finding a cure for Alzheimer’s, Dani needs to find out more.
It’s hard to say anymore without spoiling the rest of the story, so I’ll leave it there.
I really enjoyed this book and there’s some great twists and turns in the story.
Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
April 25, 2024
As soon as I started reading “The Trial”, I know it was going to be different to what I expected. I was pleasantly surprised by this. The book is set along dual timelines in 2014 and 2024, so it is right up to the present day. Dani has returned to St Edmunds, a prestigious university in Ireland as a lecturer, and to discover what happened to her boyfriend, Theo, all those years ago when he disappeared. This story was believable: I felt like I was walking the old halls of the university with Dani, and I felt like the characters were well crafted.
There are a lot of twists and herrings in this book as well, and each of them were cleverly connected as the story progressed. The connection to the pharmaceutical company and texting was a masterstroke because it was quite conceivable that this kind of research project would occur at a reputable university. It was also clever to tie a link to the research disease - Alzheimer’s – to Dani who was desperately holding out hope for a lifeline for her mother, whose life was coming to a close , impacted by the same disease. They very hope that this research could provide a cure or relief was the wanting from Dani that gave her hope emotionally, and a possible connection to finding out more about Theo’s disappearance.
There are moments where I found the writing went in circles, and I think this was a deliberate ploy to demonstrate Dani’s confusion, frustration and obsession for the truth. It was particularly clever in scenes with members of the medical research faculty where the likes of Declan Graham, Malachy, Colm and George all leading her down many paths.
Thanks @netgalley for the e-ARC to read.
There are a lot of twists and herrings in this book as well, and each of them were cleverly connected as the story progressed. The connection to the pharmaceutical company and texting was a masterstroke because it was quite conceivable that this kind of research project would occur at a reputable university. It was also clever to tie a link to the research disease - Alzheimer’s – to Dani who was desperately holding out hope for a lifeline for her mother, whose life was coming to a close , impacted by the same disease. They very hope that this research could provide a cure or relief was the wanting from Dani that gave her hope emotionally, and a possible connection to finding out more about Theo’s disappearance.
There are moments where I found the writing went in circles, and I think this was a deliberate ploy to demonstrate Dani’s confusion, frustration and obsession for the truth. It was particularly clever in scenes with members of the medical research faculty where the likes of Declan Graham, Malachy, Colm and George all leading her down many paths.
Thanks @netgalley for the e-ARC to read.
March 25, 2024
As soon as I started reading this book I knew I was going to be hooked and it would have me racing through the pages which is exactly what it did. One sitting read with a 4am bedtime. Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for an arc of this suspenseful thriller.
Dual timeline dialogue 2014 and 2024, we slip easily from then and now. Back then Dani wakes in her room at St Edmunds college to find her boyfriend Theo has disappeared, she begins her frantic search for him as the days turn into weeks. Now Dani is back at St Edmunds as a professor teaching history, she becomes friends with Colm who is part of the medical research team who claim to have a groundbreaking discovery of a drug that’s under trial that can slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s and claim back some lost memories in the patient, she is Intrigued by this as Dani’s mum is an Alzheimer’s sufferer.
As Theo’s disappearance is still raw for Dani ten years on the story carries on uncovering the truths and secrets that were hidden back in 2014. I loved Dani’s character and the reveals as the story progressed. Short snappy chapters that have you wanting just one more which is also always a huge hit for me. First but definitely not the last of Jo Spain for me.
Dual timeline dialogue 2014 and 2024, we slip easily from then and now. Back then Dani wakes in her room at St Edmunds college to find her boyfriend Theo has disappeared, she begins her frantic search for him as the days turn into weeks. Now Dani is back at St Edmunds as a professor teaching history, she becomes friends with Colm who is part of the medical research team who claim to have a groundbreaking discovery of a drug that’s under trial that can slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s and claim back some lost memories in the patient, she is Intrigued by this as Dani’s mum is an Alzheimer’s sufferer.
As Theo’s disappearance is still raw for Dani ten years on the story carries on uncovering the truths and secrets that were hidden back in 2014. I loved Dani’s character and the reveals as the story progressed. Short snappy chapters that have you wanting just one more which is also always a huge hit for me. First but definitely not the last of Jo Spain for me.
November 5, 2024
Medical cures and wonder drugs offer hope to those affected by deadly and painful diseases.
The pharmaceutical companies are the driving force in an industry that can be unscrupulous at times.
St Edmunds College in Dublin is a prestigious university that has a renowned research division.
Dani has returned to her old school as a history professor, a place where she has a sad history.
Her boyfriend Theo disappeared from the campus and her life.
Deaths at a local aged hospital and of a whistle blowing nurse seem connected.
The pressure, the perks and the lucrative money have the university research staff developing a drug for alzheimers.
Something is amiss as greed and prestige take centre stage.
The past and the present have collided and Dani is only one step ahead of danger as the truth becomes exposed.
Another sublime story that has twists early on and a good dose of intrigue and suspense.
Moral dilemmas and the severity of illness sit alongside crime.
The pharmaceutical companies are the driving force in an industry that can be unscrupulous at times.
St Edmunds College in Dublin is a prestigious university that has a renowned research division.
Dani has returned to her old school as a history professor, a place where she has a sad history.
Her boyfriend Theo disappeared from the campus and her life.
Deaths at a local aged hospital and of a whistle blowing nurse seem connected.
The pressure, the perks and the lucrative money have the university research staff developing a drug for alzheimers.
Something is amiss as greed and prestige take centre stage.
The past and the present have collided and Dani is only one step ahead of danger as the truth becomes exposed.
Another sublime story that has twists early on and a good dose of intrigue and suspense.
Moral dilemmas and the severity of illness sit alongside crime.
April 17, 2024
I’ve read all of Jo Spain’s previous novels and loved them all so was looking forward to The Trial.
It’s set over two timelines of 2014 and 2024 at St Edmunds, an elite Dublin university. In 2014 Dani is studying History and in love with her French boyfriend Theo when he suddenly disappears. Ten years later Dani is back at the university as a lecturer, still trying to solve the mystery of Theo’s disappearance. Meanwhile medical trials on an Alzheimer’s drug are taking place at St Edmunds.
It’s hard to say too much without giving away the plot of The Trial, another well written and gripping thriller from the author. I liked the character of Dani and the St Edmunds setting is well done. It’s a multi layered plot that kept me guessing. The downside of the novel for me was much of the subject matter of medical trials and Big Pharma which I really struggled to maintain an interest in. For this reason I enjoyed this novel far less than the author’s previous books. Do read other reviews as there are many 5 star reviews and if this is a subject that interests you it’s a well written and gripping thriller. 3.5 stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
It’s set over two timelines of 2014 and 2024 at St Edmunds, an elite Dublin university. In 2014 Dani is studying History and in love with her French boyfriend Theo when he suddenly disappears. Ten years later Dani is back at the university as a lecturer, still trying to solve the mystery of Theo’s disappearance. Meanwhile medical trials on an Alzheimer’s drug are taking place at St Edmunds.
It’s hard to say too much without giving away the plot of The Trial, another well written and gripping thriller from the author. I liked the character of Dani and the St Edmunds setting is well done. It’s a multi layered plot that kept me guessing. The downside of the novel for me was much of the subject matter of medical trials and Big Pharma which I really struggled to maintain an interest in. For this reason I enjoyed this novel far less than the author’s previous books. Do read other reviews as there are many 5 star reviews and if this is a subject that interests you it’s a well written and gripping thriller. 3.5 stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
November 21, 2024
Имаше един обрат, който доста ми допадна, но като цяло не съм впечатлена.
September 15, 2024
The Trial was an enjoyable read with a clever storyline. However, it didn’t quite meet the high standards I’ve come to expect from Jo Spain's standalone novels, which usually grip me from start to finish -this one felt a bit one-paced and lacking in drama.
September 16, 2025
Engrossing start and lost me for a while and then really thrilling (though a small bit unbelievable) the end . 3.5 would recommend
March 8, 2024
I’ve loved all of Jo Spain’s previous books, but this is probably her best one yet and my favourite.
I inhaled it in almost one sitting. The plot is unique, intriguing and comes with plenty of twists. It’s definitely one of my top reads this year.
I inhaled it in almost one sitting. The plot is unique, intriguing and comes with plenty of twists. It’s definitely one of my top reads this year.
May 6, 2024
**Listened to the audiobook along with the electronic version**
I read a lot of thrillers, so it does take a lot to stand out from others, and to wow me. I really loved this book!! I was just so engrossed in the plot and the characters. I was desperate to know what happened. I feel Jo Spain is a great writer for making the reader/listener care. Whenever I have read their books before, along with this book - I just cared and was curious. I wanted to know.
I also was completely fooled by the title of 'the Trial' - thinking it was about a court case. It's not that type of trial!
I loved the format and structure of the book and really helped to keep me engrossed.
Really enjoyed this reading/listening experience, and just wanted to find the answers... didn't want it to end. Sped through this.
I read a lot of thrillers, so it does take a lot to stand out from others, and to wow me. I really loved this book!! I was just so engrossed in the plot and the characters. I was desperate to know what happened. I feel Jo Spain is a great writer for making the reader/listener care. Whenever I have read their books before, along with this book - I just cared and was curious. I wanted to know.
I also was completely fooled by the title of 'the Trial' - thinking it was about a court case. It's not that type of trial!
I loved the format and structure of the book and really helped to keep me engrossed.
Really enjoyed this reading/listening experience, and just wanted to find the answers... didn't want it to end. Sped through this.
July 13, 2024
One of the most shocking openers to any book I've read was written by Jo Spain. The prologue to The Confession has stuck with me ever since I read it back in 2017. This was the influencing factor in my decision to pluck The Trial from the shelf at my library recently. I tend to like novels set in Ireland too, which also helped, however my mind assumed that the title suggested "courtroom thriller" when it is actually based around a pharmaceutical drug trial which researchers at the college are involved in. My bad.
So, once I had settled into the subject matter not being what I'd expected, I began to process the story. Students Dani and Theo are very much in love, so it was a complete bombshell moment when Dani finds Theo missing from her lodgings at the college early one morning, never to be seen again. Fast forward into the separate timeline ten years later, and Dani is back at the college in a very different role.
My gut instinct told me straight away that there was more to Dani's reappearance at the college than a case of her returning to teach at her old place of study. I couldn't imagine that it would be a sentimental decision given how things ended there for her. And sure enough, as the layers of the story get peeled away, the truth gradually comes out. There are some quite unsavoury characters involved with the college but it takes Dani considerably longer than expected to wheedle out who the bad guys are and how deeply they are involved in events, past and present, which require investigating. Dani's suspicions about what happened to Theo also cloud her judgment and slow her progress, facts which cleverly provide a few red herrings for the author to use to smoke screen the reader too.
I enjoyed this book with its glimmer of hope for dementia treatments and some well-written unpleasant characters to get my teeth into making judgments on (don't you just love a real nasty piece of work in a novel?) however as it wasn't the book I was expecting I think this took the shine away from it for me. I know I should have read the synopsis before jumping in and that's entirely my fault but add to this the fact I am always wanting the same shock factor from this author that I got from The Confession I think I was expecting a more explosive storyline.
So all in all, an enjoyable story but lacking the edge of the seat action I was hoping for - plus I feel there needs to be a warning regarding the dementia aspect to the story. Anyone who has experience of dealing with this awful condition needs to be aware that it's a strong thread of the story from quite early on in the book and may wish to give it a miss.
So, once I had settled into the subject matter not being what I'd expected, I began to process the story. Students Dani and Theo are very much in love, so it was a complete bombshell moment when Dani finds Theo missing from her lodgings at the college early one morning, never to be seen again. Fast forward into the separate timeline ten years later, and Dani is back at the college in a very different role.
My gut instinct told me straight away that there was more to Dani's reappearance at the college than a case of her returning to teach at her old place of study. I couldn't imagine that it would be a sentimental decision given how things ended there for her. And sure enough, as the layers of the story get peeled away, the truth gradually comes out. There are some quite unsavoury characters involved with the college but it takes Dani considerably longer than expected to wheedle out who the bad guys are and how deeply they are involved in events, past and present, which require investigating. Dani's suspicions about what happened to Theo also cloud her judgment and slow her progress, facts which cleverly provide a few red herrings for the author to use to smoke screen the reader too.
I enjoyed this book with its glimmer of hope for dementia treatments and some well-written unpleasant characters to get my teeth into making judgments on (don't you just love a real nasty piece of work in a novel?) however as it wasn't the book I was expecting I think this took the shine away from it for me. I know I should have read the synopsis before jumping in and that's entirely my fault but add to this the fact I am always wanting the same shock factor from this author that I got from The Confession I think I was expecting a more explosive storyline.
So all in all, an enjoyable story but lacking the edge of the seat action I was hoping for - plus I feel there needs to be a warning regarding the dementia aspect to the story. Anyone who has experience of dealing with this awful condition needs to be aware that it's a strong thread of the story from quite early on in the book and may wish to give it a miss.
April 2, 2025
The Trial
Jo Spain
Read and Reviewed: March 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another twisty crime thriller from the great Jo Spain.
This one has all the hallmarks of her previous books - a well researched plot, interesting storyline and a whole lot of twists.
I couldnt turn the pages quick enough to see how the ending turned out.
Split into two timelines - 10 years apart.
Starting in 2014 when our gutsy female protagonist Dani is studying at St. Edmunds College and in a relationship with charming medical student Theo. Theo left early one morning and disappeared sending Dani's life into a spiral.
Jump ahead 10 years to the second timeline - 2024.
Dani is now in the Guards working as an undercover detective on a case investigating her old College St. Edmunds Medical Science Research Facility which is under scrutiny after concerns were raised over the testing and distributing of a drug that could help Alzheimers Disease - Stop the progression or even reverse the symptoms.
Dani's own mother has had Alzheimers for the last 10 years so Dani is torn between wanting this drug to work but also wanting to find out if there is dodgy research and dealings going on at her old college....
And does it have anything to do with Theos' disappearance all those years ago....
The subject matter of Alzheimers / Dementia runs throughout the book - this hits very close to home for me as my lovely mum who is 65 years old has late stage Lewy Body Dementia so this one wasnt an easy read in that aspect.
But I loved the crime/thriller aspect.
Jo Spain didnt disappoint once again.
Defo add this one to your list if crime and thrillers are your thing guys! She sure can write a good thriller and I was hooked on this one from the very first chapter.
It was well written, well researched, with well developed characters and an interesting storyline.
Cant wait for the next one Jo!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jo Spain
Read and Reviewed: March 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another twisty crime thriller from the great Jo Spain.
This one has all the hallmarks of her previous books - a well researched plot, interesting storyline and a whole lot of twists.
I couldnt turn the pages quick enough to see how the ending turned out.
Split into two timelines - 10 years apart.
Starting in 2014 when our gutsy female protagonist Dani is studying at St. Edmunds College and in a relationship with charming medical student Theo. Theo left early one morning and disappeared sending Dani's life into a spiral.
Jump ahead 10 years to the second timeline - 2024.
Dani is now in the Guards working as an undercover detective on a case investigating her old College St. Edmunds Medical Science Research Facility which is under scrutiny after concerns were raised over the testing and distributing of a drug that could help Alzheimers Disease - Stop the progression or even reverse the symptoms.
Dani's own mother has had Alzheimers for the last 10 years so Dani is torn between wanting this drug to work but also wanting to find out if there is dodgy research and dealings going on at her old college....
And does it have anything to do with Theos' disappearance all those years ago....
The subject matter of Alzheimers / Dementia runs throughout the book - this hits very close to home for me as my lovely mum who is 65 years old has late stage Lewy Body Dementia so this one wasnt an easy read in that aspect.
But I loved the crime/thriller aspect.
Jo Spain didnt disappoint once again.
Defo add this one to your list if crime and thrillers are your thing guys! She sure can write a good thriller and I was hooked on this one from the very first chapter.
It was well written, well researched, with well developed characters and an interesting storyline.
Cant wait for the next one Jo!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 9, 2024
I'm a huge fan of Jo Spain and have read all of her previous novels (and the Tom Reynolds series more than once), but despite my excitement by being offered the chance to read The Trial by Quercus Books, I had to stop and think for a few moments. The topic of dementia is central to the overall storyline and for me, this I'd both a very personal topic and one that I struggle to read about in nonfiction. In fact, I've started and put aside numerous novels where dementia formed part of the storyline but I opted to read The Trial regardless. Why, you might ask? Well, in previous works, Spain has handled sensitive topics (such as domestic abuse and the Magdalene laundries) in a sensitive manner, despite a sensational storyline. So, I trusted that she would have researched her topic and would be sensitive in her approach. And thankfully, this proved to be the case.
In The Trial, we have a dual timeline
- 2014 Dani as a history student at the prestigious St. Edmunds College, at the time of her boyfriend Theo's disappearance
- 10 years later, Dani has returned to St. Edmund's as a history lecturer, where she learns that the university is involved in a series of trials of a new, and groundbreaking, dementia medication.
Dani is soon plunged into an investigation to determine what really happened to Theo and if the results of the trials can really be trusted.
As the situation becomes increasingly tense, Dani realises that she is in danger and the events from a decade ago, have still to play out.
This is a fast-paced novel, and there is no doubt that I worked my way through a lot of tissues, especially when reading the very sweet scenes between Dani and her mother. But it is an intriguing thriller and one that raises many moral questions. Now, hurry and read it so I can talk about it with you all!
In The Trial, we have a dual timeline
- 2014 Dani as a history student at the prestigious St. Edmunds College, at the time of her boyfriend Theo's disappearance
- 10 years later, Dani has returned to St. Edmund's as a history lecturer, where she learns that the university is involved in a series of trials of a new, and groundbreaking, dementia medication.
Dani is soon plunged into an investigation to determine what really happened to Theo and if the results of the trials can really be trusted.
As the situation becomes increasingly tense, Dani realises that she is in danger and the events from a decade ago, have still to play out.
This is a fast-paced novel, and there is no doubt that I worked my way through a lot of tissues, especially when reading the very sweet scenes between Dani and her mother. But it is an intriguing thriller and one that raises many moral questions. Now, hurry and read it so I can talk about it with you all!
September 9, 2024
Jo Spain’s stand alone novels are nothing if not original and this one is certainly that.
The Trial of the books title refers to a pharmaceutical company’s trial of their new drug for Alzheimer’s and the lengths they will go to in order to ensure it succeeds. I found the story interesting and compelling rather than dramatic, so enjoyable rather than edge of the seat stuff.
The ending was a little too neat and tidy but a good 6 out of 10
The Trial of the books title refers to a pharmaceutical company’s trial of their new drug for Alzheimer’s and the lengths they will go to in order to ensure it succeeds. I found the story interesting and compelling rather than dramatic, so enjoyable rather than edge of the seat stuff.
The ending was a little too neat and tidy but a good 6 out of 10
March 10, 2024
Jo Spain has done it again. This was an incredible read. Spain has such a talent to suck you in from the beginning. She develops the characters to the point that you feel what they feel. My only problem is that now I have to patiently wait for her next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews