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Conviction
TO STEAL A MAN'S FREEDOM ALL IT TAKES IS . . . CONVICTION
Wade Darling stands accused of killing his wife and teenage children as they slept before burning the family home to the ground.
When the case lands on barrister Neve Harper’s desk, she knows it could be the career making case she’s been waiting for. But only if she can prove Wade’s innocence.
A matter of days before the case, as Neve is travelling home for the night, she is approached by a man. He tells her she must lose this case or the secret about her own husband’s disappearance will be revealed.
Failing that, he will kill everyone she cares about until she follows orders.
Neve must make a choice – betray every principle she has ever had by putting a potentially innocent man in prison, or risk putting those she loves in mortal danger.
For fans of Steve Cavanagh, Linwood Barclay and Gillian McAllister, introducing the latest novel from the master of the moral dilemma, Jack Jordan.
Wade Darling stands accused of killing his wife and teenage children as they slept before burning the family home to the ground.
When the case lands on barrister Neve Harper’s desk, she knows it could be the career making case she’s been waiting for. But only if she can prove Wade’s innocence.
A matter of days before the case, as Neve is travelling home for the night, she is approached by a man. He tells her she must lose this case or the secret about her own husband’s disappearance will be revealed.
Failing that, he will kill everyone she cares about until she follows orders.
Neve must make a choice – betray every principle she has ever had by putting a potentially innocent man in prison, or risk putting those she loves in mortal danger.
For fans of Steve Cavanagh, Linwood Barclay and Gillian McAllister, introducing the latest novel from the master of the moral dilemma, Jack Jordan.
432 pages, Paperback
First published June 22, 2023
155 people are currently reading
3692 people want to read
About the author
Jack Jordan
9 books863 followersSunday Times bestselling author of eight thrillers. 9th coming 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 559 reviews
July 10, 2023
I often feel intimidated by legal thrillers due to their complex legal terminology. However, this book simplifies it considerably for readers like me who enjoy fiction. Captivating from the start with an interesting storyline!
September 1, 2023
Well, I'm concluding this isn't an author for me. 🏝️
I was so excited to read this, but it felt like a repeat of his last book ( which was a 2 star for me)! Both books were 432 pages, this one was legal rather than medical. If you loved his last, you may love this one as well.
I was slightly entertained and kept reading to the end, but then the ending disappointed. 🤷♀️ I've seen this premise done before, but better. I also had a feeling about the end, but held up hope that I was wrong. Nope, it happened and was disappointing.
Maybe this would have worked better had I listened? Hard to say, but the repetition and the protags constant repeating of the same inner thoughts drove me nuts! 🙄
We all know not every book works for everyone, so this will most likely be my last from the author!
Published June 22, 2023
I was so excited to read this, but it felt like a repeat of his last book ( which was a 2 star for me)! Both books were 432 pages, this one was legal rather than medical. If you loved his last, you may love this one as well.
I was slightly entertained and kept reading to the end, but then the ending disappointed. 🤷♀️ I've seen this premise done before, but better. I also had a feeling about the end, but held up hope that I was wrong. Nope, it happened and was disappointing.
Maybe this would have worked better had I listened? Hard to say, but the repetition and the protags constant repeating of the same inner thoughts drove me nuts! 🙄
We all know not every book works for everyone, so this will most likely be my last from the author!
Published June 22, 2023
August 18, 2024
I’ve just read witness 8 by cavanagh so that might explain why this did nothing for me. This wasn’t a brilliant legal thriller, it was mediocre at best and I didn’t care much about the main character either.
March 17, 2023
4+
January 2019. It’s five days until the trial of the year, that of Wade Darling, accused of killing his wife and two teenage children prior to burning down their country mansion to the ground. Unexpectedly, the case lands on Neve Harper’s desk and if she wins, if she can prove Wade is innocent then she could be a shoo-in for QC. However, a day or so before the start of the trial she has a shocking encounter with ‘The Messenger’. He tells her to lose the case, Wade must not get off and in return her deepest, darkest secret will not be revealed or members of her family harmed. What a moral dilemma. She has to choose between her life or that of a potentially innocent man.
This is an extremely well plotted, multilayered, psychological thriller, which hooks me from the start. It begins with a bang, well, several actually, and you feel the suspense and tension from the beginning. Choosing to set the story across a few desperate days adds to the tension, you’re on the edge of your seat, trying to figure out which way it will go. It’s an evidential race against time, with the terror of the situation Neve finds herself in adding to the escalating tension. Describing her as being in a tailspin doesn’t do it justice, as it’s a claustrophobic net closing in type of scenario with the knowledge that The Messenger et al are most definitely not bluffing. It’s told at a good pace, the layers connect well, there are shocks and surprises, your suspicion antenna twitches in several directions, you doubt, you change your mind, which, of course keeps you reading on. The courtroom scenes are very good, they’re gripping as things bat back and forth. The tension and drama post verdict is almost Hollywood worthy and I like the ambiguous cliffhanger of an ending.
At the centre of this plot, you have two people who you can’t make your mind up about. Wade Darling, innocent or guilty? As for Neve, how likeable is she? The jury is out on that one, but I like that she is full on fight, she’s a clever woman with a strong personality who bears a heavy burden. She doesn’t always do the right thing, but that’s what makes her an interesting central protagonist.
Overall, a compelling rollercoaster of a read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Simon and Schuster for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
January 2019. It’s five days until the trial of the year, that of Wade Darling, accused of killing his wife and two teenage children prior to burning down their country mansion to the ground. Unexpectedly, the case lands on Neve Harper’s desk and if she wins, if she can prove Wade is innocent then she could be a shoo-in for QC. However, a day or so before the start of the trial she has a shocking encounter with ‘The Messenger’. He tells her to lose the case, Wade must not get off and in return her deepest, darkest secret will not be revealed or members of her family harmed. What a moral dilemma. She has to choose between her life or that of a potentially innocent man.
This is an extremely well plotted, multilayered, psychological thriller, which hooks me from the start. It begins with a bang, well, several actually, and you feel the suspense and tension from the beginning. Choosing to set the story across a few desperate days adds to the tension, you’re on the edge of your seat, trying to figure out which way it will go. It’s an evidential race against time, with the terror of the situation Neve finds herself in adding to the escalating tension. Describing her as being in a tailspin doesn’t do it justice, as it’s a claustrophobic net closing in type of scenario with the knowledge that The Messenger et al are most definitely not bluffing. It’s told at a good pace, the layers connect well, there are shocks and surprises, your suspicion antenna twitches in several directions, you doubt, you change your mind, which, of course keeps you reading on. The courtroom scenes are very good, they’re gripping as things bat back and forth. The tension and drama post verdict is almost Hollywood worthy and I like the ambiguous cliffhanger of an ending.
At the centre of this plot, you have two people who you can’t make your mind up about. Wade Darling, innocent or guilty? As for Neve, how likeable is she? The jury is out on that one, but I like that she is full on fight, she’s a clever woman with a strong personality who bears a heavy burden. She doesn’t always do the right thing, but that’s what makes her an interesting central protagonist.
Overall, a compelling rollercoaster of a read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Simon and Schuster for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
July 25, 2023
I was instantly intrigued by this book's premise:
A man is accused of shooting his wife and two teenagers as they sleep before burning his family's home to the ground.
Is he innocent or guilty?
When the man's first barrister dies under suspicious circumstances, a new barrister is assigned to his case.
Almost immediately, the new barrister is given "you must lose this case" orders or the secret about her role in her husband’s disappearance will be revealed and her family members will be harmed.
What should the new barrister do?
To say that this book's fast-paced and intense courtroom drama was riveting is an understatement.
From start to finish, the book was unputdownable.
I listened to the audiobook read by Sophie Roberts, who did an outstanding job with the narration.
5 enthusiastic stars!
A man is accused of shooting his wife and two teenagers as they sleep before burning his family's home to the ground.
Is he innocent or guilty?
When the man's first barrister dies under suspicious circumstances, a new barrister is assigned to his case.
Almost immediately, the new barrister is given "you must lose this case" orders or the secret about her role in her husband’s disappearance will be revealed and her family members will be harmed.
What should the new barrister do?
To say that this book's fast-paced and intense courtroom drama was riveting is an understatement.
From start to finish, the book was unputdownable.
I listened to the audiobook read by Sophie Roberts, who did an outstanding job with the narration.
5 enthusiastic stars!
July 17, 2023
This had my name all over it, a legal thriller, a moral dilemma... read me now!
I did have some hesitation about the similarities to his previous book Do No Harm, which follows a surgeon being blackmailed to follow orders on the operating table. This has a similar scenario, of a legal barrister battling her professional compass to save her family from harm. I decided that maybe this is going to be Jack Jordan's 'thing'- so if his next book is involves a teacher, you heard it here first!
Once I accepted that, I found it gripping and readable, and extremely compelling reading. There are some scenes that I struggled with some reveals towards the end. It made me literally laugh out loud. I wish there were better conclusions to some of the main storylines as I think the book lost some credibilty towards the end.
I did have some hesitation about the similarities to his previous book Do No Harm, which follows a surgeon being blackmailed to follow orders on the operating table. This has a similar scenario, of a legal barrister battling her professional compass to save her family from harm. I decided that maybe this is going to be Jack Jordan's 'thing'- so if his next book is involves a teacher, you heard it here first!
Once I accepted that, I found it gripping and readable, and extremely compelling reading. There are some scenes that I struggled with some reveals towards the end. It made me literally laugh out loud. I wish there were better conclusions to some of the main storylines as I think the book lost some credibilty towards the end.
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August 10, 2023
1_Star - DNF@46% - Major Outlier Review:
Audiobook: 11:55 Hours - Narrator: Sophie Roberts
Heard: 05:26 Hours - Balance: 06:29 Hours
What A Bloated, Boring, Book!
From My Listening Activity:
Aug 06, 2023 @24%: "I have heard 24% of "Conviction" and so far I think the story has induced an impending sense of... boredom🥱. I will persevere a while longer, but I'm not holding my breath."
Aug 08, 2023 @46%: "46% is enough for me to know that this book will not become any less boring if I continue to the bitter end, so I won't! An increasingly implausible plot, plus the repetitious and introspective first-person nattering of the lady barrister, overwhelmed me. I quit!"
Audiobook: 11:55 Hours - Narrator: Sophie Roberts
Heard: 05:26 Hours - Balance: 06:29 Hours
What A Bloated, Boring, Book!
From My Listening Activity:
Aug 06, 2023 @24%: "I have heard 24% of "Conviction" and so far I think the story has induced an impending sense of... boredom🥱. I will persevere a while longer, but I'm not holding my breath."
Aug 08, 2023 @46%: "46% is enough for me to know that this book will not become any less boring if I continue to the bitter end, so I won't! An increasingly implausible plot, plus the repetitious and introspective first-person nattering of the lady barrister, overwhelmed me. I quit!"
July 3, 2023
Superb courtroom/trial drama where we find Wade accused of killing his wife and children ( he protests his innocence) and Neve the barrister who is going to help him prove it…..but nothing about this case,nor the characters is quite as it seems and the truth is the last thing on some people’s agenda…
Many an intricate web is spun in this story and at times you wonder how the main players keep their heads and carry on…but they do and it turns into a very tense,and at times dark,engaging and exciting thriller,you really will be turning the pages as quick as you can and will want to know the big question ‘is Wade Guilty or Innocent’?,of course I am not going to give a hint of the answer….I changed my mind throughout
Wonderful writing from this author,I never say the word ‘gripping’ in a review but if I did I would 100% use it for this book
Outstanding,dramatic,plausible and more than worthy of recommendation..
Many an intricate web is spun in this story and at times you wonder how the main players keep their heads and carry on…but they do and it turns into a very tense,and at times dark,engaging and exciting thriller,you really will be turning the pages as quick as you can and will want to know the big question ‘is Wade Guilty or Innocent’?,of course I am not going to give a hint of the answer….I changed my mind throughout
Wonderful writing from this author,I never say the word ‘gripping’ in a review but if I did I would 100% use it for this book
Outstanding,dramatic,plausible and more than worthy of recommendation..
July 13, 2023
Wow Jack Jordan, just wow!!
Conviction is going to be one of my favourite books for 2023. I could not put it down, and was annoyed when I had to do real life. I just wanted to keep reading and see what would happen next. A massive thank you to my bestie Debbie for ordering this for me from the UK as she knew how desperately we both wanted to read it.
I do love a good, twisty legal thriller. The lead up, the court case, the aftermath… what is not to love. Nothing every goes smoothly, and barrister Neve is about to see how wrong it can go. She is handed the case of Wade Darling just a week before the trial is start. Wade is accused of murdering his wife and 2 kids in their home before setting fire to their house. Everyone thinks he did it so she has her work cut out for her. Things get worse when she is approached on a late night train by a man telling her to throw the case, Wade must be found guilty or her deepest darkest secret will be revealed. A moral and legal dilemma… how was she going to get out of this?
It was just brilliantly done, a Jack Jordan had me reading late into the night, and on a school night no less!! Full of shocks and surprises, you just have to read this book.
Conviction is going to be one of my favourite books for 2023. I could not put it down, and was annoyed when I had to do real life. I just wanted to keep reading and see what would happen next. A massive thank you to my bestie Debbie for ordering this for me from the UK as she knew how desperately we both wanted to read it.
I do love a good, twisty legal thriller. The lead up, the court case, the aftermath… what is not to love. Nothing every goes smoothly, and barrister Neve is about to see how wrong it can go. She is handed the case of Wade Darling just a week before the trial is start. Wade is accused of murdering his wife and 2 kids in their home before setting fire to their house. Everyone thinks he did it so she has her work cut out for her. Things get worse when she is approached on a late night train by a man telling her to throw the case, Wade must be found guilty or her deepest darkest secret will be revealed. A moral and legal dilemma… how was she going to get out of this?
It was just brilliantly done, a Jack Jordan had me reading late into the night, and on a school night no less!! Full of shocks and surprises, you just have to read this book.
June 25, 2024
Totally loving all courtroom thrillers right now and this one was also really good. Defense attorney given an impossible choice… let her client go down for a murder he may not have committed or have what happened to her missing husband be exposed…. Really interesting concept that I really enjoyed! Would love to read more from him in the future!
July 19, 2023
4.5/5
Wow, talk about legal thrillers this is one of them! After having read Do no harm last year, I was drawn to Jack's writing style and ability to captivate readers through the plot. This book did not disappoint. I was shocked at how quick I had finished this book, it flew by for me. This is one book I will not be forgetting, credit to Jack.
The plot follows Never Harper, a barrister for 15 years who is tasked with defending Wade Darling. Wade is accused of murdering his entire family shooting his kids and wife and burning his mansion to the ground. This seems all simple, but as Neve takes the case on as means to further her career and get onto the Queen's Council, she is approached by someone that knows her secrets. This person is referred to as 'the Messenger' who approaches Neve to lose the case so Wade can be imprisoned for his crimes, if not they will exposure her one secret she wishes no one will know.
I have to give credit, the plot is unique. I've not crossed a plot which has left me feeling this way in a while. I was shocked at how well the moral dilemma was portrayed to the points. This is one multilayered thriller that grips you at the start. You'll see the journey Neve takes personally and professionally. Reading this book creates this weird level of claustrophobia, forcing you to read on so you don't miss the next beat. I was truly blown by how well this has been put together. The only thing I didn’t like was one aspect of the ending felt too forced to get the true happy ending (which makes more sense if you ever read the book). It felt like ‘whelp we still have this small minor problem’ but let’s just finish this off and sweep it under the rug. It makes it feel like you weren’t though all the emotions just for it to be like ‘sike’! But over than that the book is top notch. Highly recommend if you love legal, courthouse thrillers mixed in with a psychological thriller!
Wow, talk about legal thrillers this is one of them! After having read Do no harm last year, I was drawn to Jack's writing style and ability to captivate readers through the plot. This book did not disappoint. I was shocked at how quick I had finished this book, it flew by for me. This is one book I will not be forgetting, credit to Jack.
The plot follows Never Harper, a barrister for 15 years who is tasked with defending Wade Darling. Wade is accused of murdering his entire family shooting his kids and wife and burning his mansion to the ground. This seems all simple, but as Neve takes the case on as means to further her career and get onto the Queen's Council, she is approached by someone that knows her secrets. This person is referred to as 'the Messenger' who approaches Neve to lose the case so Wade can be imprisoned for his crimes, if not they will exposure her one secret she wishes no one will know.
I have to give credit, the plot is unique. I've not crossed a plot which has left me feeling this way in a while. I was shocked at how well the moral dilemma was portrayed to the points. This is one multilayered thriller that grips you at the start. You'll see the journey Neve takes personally and professionally. Reading this book creates this weird level of claustrophobia, forcing you to read on so you don't miss the next beat. I was truly blown by how well this has been put together. The only thing I didn’t like was one aspect of the ending felt too forced to get the true happy ending (which makes more sense if you ever read the book). It felt like ‘whelp we still have this small minor problem’ but let’s just finish this off and sweep it under the rug. It makes it feel like you weren’t though all the emotions just for it to be like ‘sike’! But over than that the book is top notch. Highly recommend if you love legal, courthouse thrillers mixed in with a psychological thriller!
January 28, 2023
Jack Jordan returns with this summer’s most addictive thriller!
If Do No Harm established Jack Jordan as the king of the moral dilemma thriller, Conviction cements him as the master. WHAT. A. BOOK!! It is absolutely relentless in its tension, continually dialling it up as another twist of fate propels the narrative forward. The format works spectacularly, splitting the narrative into different parts: the establishing dilemma, the prosecution’s case and then the defence’s. Framing the narrative around the impending trial meant that suspense was built from multiple angles and the courtroom scenes were absolutely fraught with tension. Prepare to bite EVERY nail to the quick! The moral dilemma at the heart of the plot is serpentine and twists readers on multiple levels, creating that gut-churning tension familiar from Jordan’s previous novel Do No Harm. He places the reader smack bang in the middle of the narrative and I throughly enjoyed feeling every splinter of agony, fear and desperation that the characters did. This novel is constructed to perfection and as such, is virtually impossible to put down. It’s a rollercoaster of a ride that will glue you to your seat. It’s really well paced, taking a fragment of time to build Neve’s story, hooking readers in and allowing them to form a bond with her. After the first few establishing chapters and once the gravity of her predicament becomes clear, the pace hurtles along at breakneck speed, twisting and turning in the most sensational ways. If you enjoy a book that leaves you breathless, Conviction should shoot straight to the top of your wishlist.
The real power of Jordan’s writing is his ability to create a questionable and on some level, unlikeable, character and still make you care about them. I was wholeheartedly rooting for Neve throughout, despite her nefarious past. She’s a beautifully complex character and Jordan expertly crafts her so that we come to know her gradually, like peeling back the layers of on an onion individually. There were times where I felt conflicted by the prospect of her getting away with her crimes, but as more and more of her truth came to the surface I knew that she simply HAD to! I loved how Jordan took his time to reveal Neve’s full story. It allowed me to form a bond with her, feel all of her emotions and become fully invested in her plight. Similarly, Jordan very cleverly builds both the prosecution and defence cases in Wade Darling’s trial, meaning that as a reader we form our own convictions whilst being the master puppeteer that he is and unbeknown to us, Jordan is leading us down a certain path. When the proverbial rug was pulled out from underneath me, I was genuinely gobsmacked! It flipped the story with as much of a thwack (wait until you read this…this word will send shivers down your spine forever more!) as some of the most iconic twists of the genre and made me reevaluate everything I had felt reading the novel up to that point. Don’t you just love when a book does that to you!?
Conviction is set to be one of summer’s most compulsive reads, so I hereby call this court to order and sentence you all to pre-order it immediately. I say these words with whole-hearted conviction…and you can thank me in June! 😉
If Do No Harm established Jack Jordan as the king of the moral dilemma thriller, Conviction cements him as the master. WHAT. A. BOOK!! It is absolutely relentless in its tension, continually dialling it up as another twist of fate propels the narrative forward. The format works spectacularly, splitting the narrative into different parts: the establishing dilemma, the prosecution’s case and then the defence’s. Framing the narrative around the impending trial meant that suspense was built from multiple angles and the courtroom scenes were absolutely fraught with tension. Prepare to bite EVERY nail to the quick! The moral dilemma at the heart of the plot is serpentine and twists readers on multiple levels, creating that gut-churning tension familiar from Jordan’s previous novel Do No Harm. He places the reader smack bang in the middle of the narrative and I throughly enjoyed feeling every splinter of agony, fear and desperation that the characters did. This novel is constructed to perfection and as such, is virtually impossible to put down. It’s a rollercoaster of a ride that will glue you to your seat. It’s really well paced, taking a fragment of time to build Neve’s story, hooking readers in and allowing them to form a bond with her. After the first few establishing chapters and once the gravity of her predicament becomes clear, the pace hurtles along at breakneck speed, twisting and turning in the most sensational ways. If you enjoy a book that leaves you breathless, Conviction should shoot straight to the top of your wishlist.
The real power of Jordan’s writing is his ability to create a questionable and on some level, unlikeable, character and still make you care about them. I was wholeheartedly rooting for Neve throughout, despite her nefarious past. She’s a beautifully complex character and Jordan expertly crafts her so that we come to know her gradually, like peeling back the layers of on an onion individually. There were times where I felt conflicted by the prospect of her getting away with her crimes, but as more and more of her truth came to the surface I knew that she simply HAD to! I loved how Jordan took his time to reveal Neve’s full story. It allowed me to form a bond with her, feel all of her emotions and become fully invested in her plight. Similarly, Jordan very cleverly builds both the prosecution and defence cases in Wade Darling’s trial, meaning that as a reader we form our own convictions whilst being the master puppeteer that he is and unbeknown to us, Jordan is leading us down a certain path. When the proverbial rug was pulled out from underneath me, I was genuinely gobsmacked! It flipped the story with as much of a thwack (wait until you read this…this word will send shivers down your spine forever more!) as some of the most iconic twists of the genre and made me reevaluate everything I had felt reading the novel up to that point. Don’t you just love when a book does that to you!?
Conviction is set to be one of summer’s most compulsive reads, so I hereby call this court to order and sentence you all to pre-order it immediately. I say these words with whole-hearted conviction…and you can thank me in June! 😉
May 19, 2025
5 Stars – Gripping, Twisty, and Unputdownable!
Conviction is a masterclass in legal thriller storytelling. Jack Jordan crafts a tense, morally complex narrative that pulls you in from the very first page and never lets go. The characters are compelling, especially the lead character neve Harper who’s caught in an impossible ethical dilemma that forces you to question what you would do in their shoes. The courtroom drama is intense and the plot twists hit hard without ever feeling forced. Jack Jordan has a rare talent for pacing and suspense every chapter ratchets up the tension. If you're a fan of thrillers that blend emotional depth with high-stakes drama, Conviction is an absolute must-read.
Conviction is a masterclass in legal thriller storytelling. Jack Jordan crafts a tense, morally complex narrative that pulls you in from the very first page and never lets go. The characters are compelling, especially the lead character neve Harper who’s caught in an impossible ethical dilemma that forces you to question what you would do in their shoes. The courtroom drama is intense and the plot twists hit hard without ever feeling forced. Jack Jordan has a rare talent for pacing and suspense every chapter ratchets up the tension. If you're a fan of thrillers that blend emotional depth with high-stakes drama, Conviction is an absolute must-read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2023
As always, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Jack Jordan’s latest book.
I anticipate his books each time and each wait has been so worth it.
There’s always lots for the reader to think about.
Main character, flawed, so flawed, but what is she hiding.
I always wonder what plot the author is going to use in each of his books and the characters. He breathes life into his characters so well and I’m convinced they are alive somewhere!
Brilliant read.
I listened to this from borrowbox and I’d highly recommend it.
I anticipate his books each time and each wait has been so worth it.
There’s always lots for the reader to think about.
Main character, flawed, so flawed, but what is she hiding.
I always wonder what plot the author is going to use in each of his books and the characters. He breathes life into his characters so well and I’m convinced they are alive somewhere!
Brilliant read.
I listened to this from borrowbox and I’d highly recommend it.
June 28, 2023
Conviction by Jack Jordan 📚
This was SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD.
I absolutely love a thriller and this had everything! Suspense, drama, suspicion and the TWISTS were 🙌🏼🙌🏼
I was completely gripped throughout, trying to work out who was involved and my mind was changing all the time with new evidence. I was so invested and enjoyed every jaw dropping moment 😱
The characters were so compelling and iconic and written so well! I didn't trust anyone.. everyone was a suspect!
I was lucky to partake in the Tandem Readalong and I found it difficult to stick with the daily chapter prompts because the story was so addictive!
And the ending.... I GOT CHILLS!
A nail-biting and intense page-turner that is a must read this Summer.
This was SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD.
I absolutely love a thriller and this had everything! Suspense, drama, suspicion and the TWISTS were 🙌🏼🙌🏼
I was completely gripped throughout, trying to work out who was involved and my mind was changing all the time with new evidence. I was so invested and enjoyed every jaw dropping moment 😱
The characters were so compelling and iconic and written so well! I didn't trust anyone.. everyone was a suspect!
I was lucky to partake in the Tandem Readalong and I found it difficult to stick with the daily chapter prompts because the story was so addictive!
And the ending.... I GOT CHILLS!
A nail-biting and intense page-turner that is a must read this Summer.
October 14, 2024
4.5 ⭐️= Good (Not Quite An Excellent).
Hardback.
I borrowed this from my daughter and didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. For a book about the judicial system, this wasn’t too heavy or difficult to understand. It was a real page turner that kept throwing in an odd surprise to keep me on my toes.
What lengths would you go to,to protect your family? If pushed, are we all capable of committing a crime?
I’d certainly give this a go if you like a fast paced thriller- just be patient at the beginning as the scene is set.
Hardback.
I borrowed this from my daughter and didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did. For a book about the judicial system, this wasn’t too heavy or difficult to understand. It was a real page turner that kept throwing in an odd surprise to keep me on my toes.
What lengths would you go to,to protect your family? If pushed, are we all capable of committing a crime?
I’d certainly give this a go if you like a fast paced thriller- just be patient at the beginning as the scene is set.
June 9, 2023
Um...excuse me...Jack Jordan...what the frick was this!
I'm not usually one for legal thrillers. The only ones I can read are by Steve Cavanagh snd even those I can find difficult to read. But this? This book was something else.
I read it in 3 days. I read it while I was cooking dinner. I read it when I was supposed to be helping my husband get our son ready for bed. I couldn't put it down!
The legal jargon was so cleverly explained that I actually understood it. And the MC was just incredibly flawed and I was rooting for her every step of the way. Granted, I was a little concerned and confused at one bit in particular (no spoilers!) but the way it was written kept me glued to the page.
I have nothing else to say other than...BRAVO!
P.S. Please write a sequel!
I'm not usually one for legal thrillers. The only ones I can read are by Steve Cavanagh snd even those I can find difficult to read. But this? This book was something else.
I read it in 3 days. I read it while I was cooking dinner. I read it when I was supposed to be helping my husband get our son ready for bed. I couldn't put it down!
The legal jargon was so cleverly explained that I actually understood it. And the MC was just incredibly flawed and I was rooting for her every step of the way. Granted, I was a little concerned and confused at one bit in particular (no spoilers!) but the way it was written kept me glued to the page.
I have nothing else to say other than...BRAVO!
P.S. Please write a sequel!
June 27, 2023
I have a confession, despite buying Jack’s previous books, this is the first I have actually read – and what a fantastic one to start with. I’ve spent most of my working life in a legal environment and I love legal thrillers, I was thrilled when a review copy arrived from the publisher’s The Likely Suspects.
Neve Harper is an ambitious 38 year old barrister. She has been been handed a controversial murder case which has made the headlines. Wade Darling has been accused of familicide – killing his wife and children and then burning the family home, injuring himself in the process. This is a last minute case for her and she has very little time to prepare for the forthcoming court appearance, however this is not a straightforward defence by any means and a moral dilemma is in store for Neve.
Neve has a backstory of her own and it is this history which makes her vulnerable to the ultimatum she has received. Those behind the threats are deadly serious, in fact Neve is shown at first hand just how far they will go to get the result they wish.
I was glued to this book and to see which way Neve would go. It seemed as though she didn’t have any choice and although at times her decisions seemed rather unwise and irrational, she was definitely caught between that rock and a hard place.
As for Wade Darling, at times he cut rather a pathetic figure. He wasn’t always minded to cooperate which made me suspicious and I was for the most part, undecided as to his guilt or innocence, veering constantly between the two.
Split into three parts, focusing on different aspects including the Defence and the Prosecution, Conviction is a thrilling and dramatic read with some deceitful characters and a sinister violent edge which ticked all the boxes for me. I was kept guessing as to whether Neve would throw the trial to save herself and her loved ones and fearful for the consequences if she did not. She was definitely a character that I could get behind, her conflicting emotions were made clear and even Wade Darling, as awful as his alleged crimes were, garnered some sympathy from me with certain disclosures that came to light.
I thoroughly enjoyed the moral dilemma and the emotional consequences which the author skilfully creates in Conviction and the twists and surprises kept me intrigued to the last page. I had already bought Do No Harm, his previous book and am now particularly keen to bump this up the list.
Neve Harper is an ambitious 38 year old barrister. She has been been handed a controversial murder case which has made the headlines. Wade Darling has been accused of familicide – killing his wife and children and then burning the family home, injuring himself in the process. This is a last minute case for her and she has very little time to prepare for the forthcoming court appearance, however this is not a straightforward defence by any means and a moral dilemma is in store for Neve.
Neve has a backstory of her own and it is this history which makes her vulnerable to the ultimatum she has received. Those behind the threats are deadly serious, in fact Neve is shown at first hand just how far they will go to get the result they wish.
I was glued to this book and to see which way Neve would go. It seemed as though she didn’t have any choice and although at times her decisions seemed rather unwise and irrational, she was definitely caught between that rock and a hard place.
As for Wade Darling, at times he cut rather a pathetic figure. He wasn’t always minded to cooperate which made me suspicious and I was for the most part, undecided as to his guilt or innocence, veering constantly between the two.
Split into three parts, focusing on different aspects including the Defence and the Prosecution, Conviction is a thrilling and dramatic read with some deceitful characters and a sinister violent edge which ticked all the boxes for me. I was kept guessing as to whether Neve would throw the trial to save herself and her loved ones and fearful for the consequences if she did not. She was definitely a character that I could get behind, her conflicting emotions were made clear and even Wade Darling, as awful as his alleged crimes were, garnered some sympathy from me with certain disclosures that came to light.
I thoroughly enjoyed the moral dilemma and the emotional consequences which the author skilfully creates in Conviction and the twists and surprises kept me intrigued to the last page. I had already bought Do No Harm, his previous book and am now particularly keen to bump this up the list.
July 2, 2023
A proper legal thriller. A slow burner but it soon picked up and then some. Packed to the rafters with tension and suspense. A nail biting read which I found impossible to put down. Secrets, lies , misdirection by the bucket load and so good!!!!! Almost five stars and highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc.
Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc.
September 9, 2024
Reading Conviction by Jack Jordan took me on a wild legal thriller adventure, keeping me on my toes until the very last page.
Huge thank you to Jack Jordan, Simon & Schuster UK and the Likely Suspects team, for sending a copy of the book my way, I am extremely grateful. That being said, the review is in no-way biased and 100% truthful to my thoughts and experience reading this book.
My Thoughts:
If you have seen my review of Jack’s novel "Do No Harm", you will know how much I enjoyed reading that book. When I read the synopsis for Conviction, I had my concerns. The plots are very similar in the sense that a person is given an ultimatum, and they must go against their moral compass to keep something or someone safe.
To me, this is where the similarities ended. And I truly started enjoying the book and the plot twists just kept giving. Some of them were quite expected. Of course, the moment Neve thinks she tricked everyone, she realises they are two steps ahead. And always have been two steps ahead…
What I really enjoyed is firstly, the trope of having to go against everything you believe in.
I like the psychology of how people might react in a pressure cooker. How long will it take for them to brake. What will they do, when they have so little choice and so many things are out of their control. The second part I really enjoyed was the legal side and the case Neve was defending. I don’t read too many legal thrillers, but every time I read one, I wish I have read more. I truly enjoy them. They always manage to keep me intrigued.
“Violence isn’t a part of him. He is sensitive, and caring, with a big heart. I think that’s why he gets depression in the way he does. Sensitive people suffer the most in this dreadful world.”
I was surprised to learn Neve’s secret, but then some decisions she made really annoyed me. When I reached the last few chapters in the book, I knew that a plot twist was about to follow, but I would never have guessed it was that! The ending also felt slightly underwhelming and anti-climactic, compared to the rest of the book. And all of that, only to finish with another bang, right at the very end.
This book was one of those books where the ending may not have been too strong, but it was well worth the journey. I loved reading it; I finished it in days and it gripped me all the way through. It had its ups and downs, but I would definitely recommend it to anyone that likes a good legal thriller and a good plot twist. I am very much looking forward to seeing what Jack Jordan has in store for us next.
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March 7, 2023
I love a courtroom drama and relish it even more when it’s written by the super talented Jack Jordan. Did I mention that he’s also a master at coming up with the most extraordinary moral dilemmas? Combine the two and you have conviction, a cracking binge-worthy thriller that has more twists and turns than the proverbial roller coaster. The critical tension (needed to make a thriller ‘thrilling’) is palpable from the start and continues to expand as the plot moves forward.
Neve is a defence barrister who is tasked with defending Wade Darling, a man charged with killing his wife and children. Days before the trial, a mystery man approaches her, telling her she must lose the case or her darkest secret will be revealed. Will she go against every principle she has ever had by putting a possibly innocent man in prison? Or risk putting those she loves in mortal danger?
The narrative moves between the court case and Neve’s story, both her past and the present. I really appreciated the way the author keeps the reader guessing. Will Neve deliberately lose the case? Or won’t she? Is Wade guilty? Not guilty? So many questions that taunt the reader, but it means conviction is hard to put down for even a nanosecond!
Jordan skilfully builds on the suspicion and doubt, as he outlines the prosecution and defence case for Wade Darling. Readers will form their own verdict, but we’re talking THE Jack Jordan here! So remember this “Oh, what a tangled web Jack Jordan weaves when first he practice to deceive” and boy does he deceive in the best possible and delicious way! Should you buy conviction? It’s a huge YES from me. Anyone who doesn’t read it “your GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt” and subject to a hefty sentence!
My reviews can be found on my Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/thebookrevi...
Neve is a defence barrister who is tasked with defending Wade Darling, a man charged with killing his wife and children. Days before the trial, a mystery man approaches her, telling her she must lose the case or her darkest secret will be revealed. Will she go against every principle she has ever had by putting a possibly innocent man in prison? Or risk putting those she loves in mortal danger?
The narrative moves between the court case and Neve’s story, both her past and the present. I really appreciated the way the author keeps the reader guessing. Will Neve deliberately lose the case? Or won’t she? Is Wade guilty? Not guilty? So many questions that taunt the reader, but it means conviction is hard to put down for even a nanosecond!
Jordan skilfully builds on the suspicion and doubt, as he outlines the prosecution and defence case for Wade Darling. Readers will form their own verdict, but we’re talking THE Jack Jordan here! So remember this “Oh, what a tangled web Jack Jordan weaves when first he practice to deceive” and boy does he deceive in the best possible and delicious way! Should you buy conviction? It’s a huge YES from me. Anyone who doesn’t read it “your GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt” and subject to a hefty sentence!
My reviews can be found on my Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/thebookrevi...
March 4, 2023
You are a successful defense barrister, about to begin the trial of your career...but what if you have to choose between upholding the justice system or saving your own skin? This is the dilemma Neve Harper faces in Jack Jordan's latest thriller.
I was really excited to be approved for this book because I raced through the author's last book, unable to turn the pages fast enough or remove my jaw from the floor.
It's difficult to review "Conviction" and I think it depends largely on context. On one hand, I enjoyed it enough to keep reading and finish the book. I never considered DNFing it. It's got the fast paced excitement of the last book "Do No Harm". I enjoyed the legal setting and the chapters in the trial setting.
One the other hand, the plot is frustatingly far too similar to his last book. It feels like the plot has been rehashed with just a couple of elements changed. I also felt the events of the book were increasingly implausible and/or wrapped up to quickly in a paragraph or two.
If this had been the first book I had read by this author, I would have got in with no expectations and I think I would have given it a higher rating because on it's own, it's a fast paced thrilling read. I will probably read a third book from this author, but this time, I will pay more attention to the blurb to ensure it's not too similar a read.
Thanks to the author, Simon and Schuster UK and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited to be approved for this book because I raced through the author's last book, unable to turn the pages fast enough or remove my jaw from the floor.
It's difficult to review "Conviction" and I think it depends largely on context. On one hand, I enjoyed it enough to keep reading and finish the book. I never considered DNFing it. It's got the fast paced excitement of the last book "Do No Harm". I enjoyed the legal setting and the chapters in the trial setting.
One the other hand, the plot is frustatingly far too similar to his last book. It feels like the plot has been rehashed with just a couple of elements changed. I also felt the events of the book were increasingly implausible and/or wrapped up to quickly in a paragraph or two.
If this had been the first book I had read by this author, I would have got in with no expectations and I think I would have given it a higher rating because on it's own, it's a fast paced thrilling read. I will probably read a third book from this author, but this time, I will pay more attention to the blurb to ensure it's not too similar a read.
Thanks to the author, Simon and Schuster UK and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2023
3.5 STARS
Urgh I got really frustrated by the end of this, but didn't dislike the book on the whole. This is definitely the best legal thriller I've read, but the final 50 pages and wrappings up of the book jus didn't really do it for me.
All in all, a perfectly good book that kept me hooked, but I had a few niggly problems with how it unfolded!
*SPOILERS BELOW*
My issue is... what actually happened with the murder? Was she genuinely asleep - I don't believe it.
The body has been unearthed... so what happens now?
I was so much more invested in the murder of Matthew than I was Wade's trial, so I wanted the book to focus more in this direction. I feel like it was written for us to keep coming back to Matthew, and I ended up really caring by the end that he had justice!
The shooting outside of the court also felt very sensational for a London-based thriller. I appreciate it's not impossible, but it was definitely jarring to appreciate for 95% of the book that it was based in London, and Wade had guns because he was a hunter, for then a shooting to occur right out in public like that. Just didn't feel right!
Urgh I got really frustrated by the end of this, but didn't dislike the book on the whole. This is definitely the best legal thriller I've read, but the final 50 pages and wrappings up of the book jus didn't really do it for me.
All in all, a perfectly good book that kept me hooked, but I had a few niggly problems with how it unfolded!
*SPOILERS BELOW*
My issue is... what actually happened with the murder? Was she genuinely asleep - I don't believe it.
The body has been unearthed... so what happens now?
I was so much more invested in the murder of Matthew than I was Wade's trial, so I wanted the book to focus more in this direction. I feel like it was written for us to keep coming back to Matthew, and I ended up really caring by the end that he had justice!
The shooting outside of the court also felt very sensational for a London-based thriller. I appreciate it's not impossible, but it was definitely jarring to appreciate for 95% of the book that it was based in London, and Wade had guns because he was a hunter, for then a shooting to occur right out in public like that. Just didn't feel right!
April 12, 2024
DNF at 65% - I could not care less as I was reading, as I have never been more bored in my life. I sigh and wipe tiny droplets of glistening sweat from my brow, because I am flustered as I write this. I am disappointed…flashback; I am disappointed.
If the way I’ve worded the last three sentences annoyed you too, I’d skip this one 🤣
If the way I’ve worded the last three sentences annoyed you too, I’d skip this one 🤣
November 24, 2024
4.5 stars!
June 23, 2023
Where ‘Do No Harm’ placed a surgeon in an impossible situation, this time Conviction takes a barrister and gives her a similar moral dilemma.
Neve was really likeable in an unlikeable sort of way. She isn’t the best person and for someone who is part of the legal system she is very morally grey with more than a few secrets of her own.
The crime itself was wonderfully shocking for this little sicko of a reader and the did he do it or didn’t he kept me glued to the pages.
The final judgement and what happens next was clever, manipulative and a complete shocker and it’s not often I say this but the little surprise at the end left it open which I loved.
Twisty, full of drama and with some good old fashioned despicable characters Conviction will firmly cement Jack Jordan as the king of the dilemma.
Neve was really likeable in an unlikeable sort of way. She isn’t the best person and for someone who is part of the legal system she is very morally grey with more than a few secrets of her own.
The crime itself was wonderfully shocking for this little sicko of a reader and the did he do it or didn’t he kept me glued to the pages.
The final judgement and what happens next was clever, manipulative and a complete shocker and it’s not often I say this but the little surprise at the end left it open which I loved.
Twisty, full of drama and with some good old fashioned despicable characters Conviction will firmly cement Jack Jordan as the king of the dilemma.
June 20, 2023
Barrister Neve Harper lands the defence case that could make or break her career. Three members of the Darling family (wife Yolanda & teenage children Phoebe & Danny) were killed in a fatal shooting at home & then the house was set on fire. Husband & father Wade, although injured, was the only survivor & he has been charged with three counts of murder. It seems it may be a 'family annihilator' case but is there more to this than meets the eye? Neve ponders this when she learns that the original defence barrister for Wade jumped in front of a highspeed train. On the way home she is approached by a menacing stranger who tells her that she has to throw the case or the truth about her husband's disappearance will be revealed to the police & that her step-daughter Hannah will be killed. Neve now has to weigh up the cost of putting a possibly innocent man behind bars for life or ending up in prison herself.
I really enjoyed reading this, it was one of those books that you just cannot put down. Neve is an intriguing character, she's very clinical in her manner & comes across as emotionally cold or stoic, although she obviously cares about Hannah. She's definitely a morally grey character as she will do whatever it takes to save herself & the few people she does care about even if that means breaking the law she is supposed to uphold. There are also a few moments of dark humour which, juxtaposed against the subject matter, made me laugh out loud in surprise. Most of the plot is not really a surprise if you read a lot of these genre of books, but that didn't spoil anything & the courtroom scenes were great. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes an edge-of-your-seat thriller. Verdict: Fast-paced legal thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously. 4.5 stars (rounded up)
TWs: gun violence, violence, death, animal death.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Simon and Schuster UK, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
I really enjoyed reading this, it was one of those books that you just cannot put down. Neve is an intriguing character, she's very clinical in her manner & comes across as emotionally cold or stoic, although she obviously cares about Hannah. She's definitely a morally grey character as she will do whatever it takes to save herself & the few people she does care about even if that means breaking the law she is supposed to uphold. There are also a few moments of dark humour which, juxtaposed against the subject matter, made me laugh out loud in surprise. Most of the plot is not really a surprise if you read a lot of these genre of books, but that didn't spoil anything & the courtroom scenes were great. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes an edge-of-your-seat thriller. Verdict: Fast-paced legal thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously. 4.5 stars (rounded up)
TWs: gun violence, violence, death, animal death.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Simon and Schuster UK, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
November 20, 2023
Twistier than a rope coiled up in a nest of snakes, this edge-of-your-seat crime thriller will have you reading just … one … more … chapterbeforebed, phew! I don’t know how Jack Jordan comes up with so many strands to his books but I’m glad he does. The characters are so full of angst brought on by threats, fear, guilt and self-loathing – or confident in their evil intent, that you’re glad you don’t know them in case you get sucked into their frantic world.
Conviction concerns a barrister who is appointed to defend a possible murderer after his previous barrister dies, little knowing that there are people who really, really don’t want him to be set free, and are prepared to make sure he goes to jail. The story is told in the first person by the barrister, in all its painful glory.
At 417 pages, I believe this is Jack’s longest novel yet but it doesn’t seem like it because you’ll whizz through the chapters in no time. The chapters are about the right length, too, about 10 pages, so you CAN read just one (or two?) more before you have to go out … and you have to because there is a cliff-hanger at the end of almost every one – Triffic!
Conviction concerns a barrister who is appointed to defend a possible murderer after his previous barrister dies, little knowing that there are people who really, really don’t want him to be set free, and are prepared to make sure he goes to jail. The story is told in the first person by the barrister, in all its painful glory.
At 417 pages, I believe this is Jack’s longest novel yet but it doesn’t seem like it because you’ll whizz through the chapters in no time. The chapters are about the right length, too, about 10 pages, so you CAN read just one (or two?) more before you have to go out … and you have to because there is a cliff-hanger at the end of almost every one – Triffic!
April 27, 2024
That ending 🤭. It’s split our book club. I really liked the ending and it leaves the door open should we be given a sequel.
This book is at its strongest when in the courtroom. Those chapters were perfect. Maybe a few too many red herrings and all I want to know is Why did she do what she did?
Another great book by Jack Jordan, Do No Harm remains my favourite 👏🏻
This book is at its strongest when in the courtroom. Those chapters were perfect. Maybe a few too many red herrings and all I want to know is Why did she do what she did?
Another great book by Jack Jordan, Do No Harm remains my favourite 👏🏻
September 3, 2023
The novel I recently experienced plunged me headlong into a captivating world of legal drama. The most noteworthy aspect of this work was undoubtedly its compelling characters, particularly the enigmatic protagonist.
From the very beginning, the protagonist grapples with an impossible situation, and she carries a cache of secrets she believes are concealed from the prying eyes of others. However, as the story unfolds, a subtle undercurrent of doubt emerges, adding a fascinating layer of complexity to her character.
The author's talent for crafting such intriguing characters is undeniable. Each one is finely etched, and their interactions within the legal setting are utterly absorbing. The courtroom scenes are written with precision, immersing the reader in the intensity of the proceedings. The prose is eloquent, painting a vivid picture of the legal drama.
Nonetheless, while the characters and the immersive courtroom atmosphere were undeniably captivating, the novel's conclusion left me with mixed feelings. It was replete with unexpected twists and turns that, in my perspective, didn't entirely harmonize with the brilliant build-up. I had hoped for a more satisfying resolution that would neatly tie up the loose ends.
In spite of this, I wholeheartedly recommend this novel to those who appreciate well-crafted characters and the electric atmosphere of a courtroom drama. The quality of the writing alone is worth the journey, and although the ending didn't entirely resonate with me, it may offer a different experience to others. Overall, this book stands as a testament to the author's skill in immersing readers in the world of legal intricacies and enigmatic characters.
From the very beginning, the protagonist grapples with an impossible situation, and she carries a cache of secrets she believes are concealed from the prying eyes of others. However, as the story unfolds, a subtle undercurrent of doubt emerges, adding a fascinating layer of complexity to her character.
The author's talent for crafting such intriguing characters is undeniable. Each one is finely etched, and their interactions within the legal setting are utterly absorbing. The courtroom scenes are written with precision, immersing the reader in the intensity of the proceedings. The prose is eloquent, painting a vivid picture of the legal drama.
Nonetheless, while the characters and the immersive courtroom atmosphere were undeniably captivating, the novel's conclusion left me with mixed feelings. It was replete with unexpected twists and turns that, in my perspective, didn't entirely harmonize with the brilliant build-up. I had hoped for a more satisfying resolution that would neatly tie up the loose ends.
In spite of this, I wholeheartedly recommend this novel to those who appreciate well-crafted characters and the electric atmosphere of a courtroom drama. The quality of the writing alone is worth the journey, and although the ending didn't entirely resonate with me, it may offer a different experience to others. Overall, this book stands as a testament to the author's skill in immersing readers in the world of legal intricacies and enigmatic characters.
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