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The Trials of Lila Dalton
I look up to find twelve strangers staring back at me… and I realize I'm the one they're waiting for.
Lila Dalton has no memory of how she came to be in this courtroom; no memory of how she got to the courthouse at all, or why she's facing a jury who seems to be waiting for her. The man on trial is accused of mass murder, and she's his lawyer, but she can't remember any details of the case. She can't remember anything… Stranded on an island in the Atlantic Ocean where the most serious crimes are tried, Lila has to prove her client's innocence if she wants to go home. But how can she solve this case when she's not sure she can trust anything around her, including her own memory?
The Trials of Lila Dalton is a twisty, unexpected locked-room mystery that follows one woman's race against time to find a killer, clear her own name, and escape the island that threatens to keep her trapped forever.
Lila Dalton has no memory of how she came to be in this courtroom; no memory of how she got to the courthouse at all, or why she's facing a jury who seems to be waiting for her. The man on trial is accused of mass murder, and she's his lawyer, but she can't remember any details of the case. She can't remember anything… Stranded on an island in the Atlantic Ocean where the most serious crimes are tried, Lila has to prove her client's innocence if she wants to go home. But how can she solve this case when she's not sure she can trust anything around her, including her own memory?
The Trials of Lila Dalton is a twisty, unexpected locked-room mystery that follows one woman's race against time to find a killer, clear her own name, and escape the island that threatens to keep her trapped forever.
480 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2024
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28753 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 380 reviews
July 8, 2024
3.5 *
I've decided to read some legal thrillers to commemorate my daughter recently being, "Called to the Bar."☺️ This is my first one.⚖️
This is a debut novel and I think the writer is promising. It was a good debut. My enjoyment shifted from 3-3.5 stars throughout. This premise definitely caught my eye.
"Trials aren't about the truth. They're about what you can and can't prove."
Essentially what this one is all about. I don't want to give too much away as I enjoyed just reading it and finding out things along the way. It definitely went in a different direction then I thought it would. This is a book that some may like and others won't. It will rub some people the wrong way. I thought it was a clever and unique take that played with your mind.
Lila Dalton is in a courtroom. Where, she cannot tell you. She cannot remember anything about her past or this trial she is apparently involved in. All she can figure out is that he's a mass murderer. She doesn't even remember that she's a lawyer but she seems to know and understand the court proceedings. Now all eyes are on her. Can she muddle her way through it? It seems like her very life could depend upon it!
The writing kept me engaged but it is a complicated plot with lots of legal jargon. It does challenge you to think about the justice system. If you can suspend your disbelief in parts I think you will enjoy the story (and ending!) Also just love the cover!
Available August 27, 2024
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for granting me access to this Advance Reader's Copy.
I've decided to read some legal thrillers to commemorate my daughter recently being, "Called to the Bar."☺️ This is my first one.⚖️
This is a debut novel and I think the writer is promising. It was a good debut. My enjoyment shifted from 3-3.5 stars throughout. This premise definitely caught my eye.
"Trials aren't about the truth. They're about what you can and can't prove."
Essentially what this one is all about. I don't want to give too much away as I enjoyed just reading it and finding out things along the way. It definitely went in a different direction then I thought it would. This is a book that some may like and others won't. It will rub some people the wrong way. I thought it was a clever and unique take that played with your mind.
Lila Dalton is in a courtroom. Where, she cannot tell you. She cannot remember anything about her past or this trial she is apparently involved in. All she can figure out is that he's a mass murderer. She doesn't even remember that she's a lawyer but she seems to know and understand the court proceedings. Now all eyes are on her. Can she muddle her way through it? It seems like her very life could depend upon it!
The writing kept me engaged but it is a complicated plot with lots of legal jargon. It does challenge you to think about the justice system. If you can suspend your disbelief in parts I think you will enjoy the story (and ending!) Also just love the cover!
Available August 27, 2024
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for granting me access to this Advance Reader's Copy.
November 27, 2023
Thank you Pushkin Press for the ARC. IYKYK my reviews are ALWAYS honest.
Writing: meh | Plot: very intriguing but got a lil too crazy | Ending: I ...????
SYNOPSIS
Lila Dalton 'comes to' in a courtroom where she's supposedly defending a domestic terrorist. Can she recover her memory in time to win the case? FIND TF OUT!!!
MY OPINION
FYI this is speculative fiction so just roll with the vibes. Honestly the first 30/40% of this was giving me 4 stars on intrigue alone. This is an all plots situation; the character development is as missing a husky's ability to chill tf out. There's a lot of action and reveals throughout, which was entertaining at the beginning... But then it became like a mega-stuffed oreo situation. Like, we wanted double stuffed but now it's just gross. By the end I was tired of the new layers being heaped onto the proverbial pile of coats, and it felt like so much went unaddressed in favour of the next reveal.
I'm interested to see how the ratings for this one shake out. I think you'll either love it, or you'll immediately delete it from your Kindle. I'm tossing this a three because it's an interesting concept, and there were several 'gems' about (I can't really say because it's a spoiler). I think this was going for a [famous classic book] meets [movie adaptation of famous book] vibe but it spent too much time on [movie adaptation of famous book] before it became clear what the damn point is. Maybe I'm just 6 short of a dozen so the point skated right over this smooth ass brain, but I was surprised when the 'master plan' was revealed.
Keeping this one short 'n sweet (unlike me). If the premise speaks to you, give it a whirl. A good book club or buddy read pick.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: start was very intriguing and action-packed
Cons: a bit of an identity crisis—not sure what it wanted to be (or I'm not smart enough to cotton on), too many threads left dangling in favour of 'shocking' reveals
___
Check out my YouTube
Writing: meh | Plot: very intriguing but got a lil too crazy | Ending: I ...????
SYNOPSIS
Lila Dalton 'comes to' in a courtroom where she's supposedly defending a domestic terrorist. Can she recover her memory in time to win the case? FIND TF OUT!!!
MY OPINION
FYI this is speculative fiction so just roll with the vibes. Honestly the first 30/40% of this was giving me 4 stars on intrigue alone. This is an all plots situation; the character development is as missing a husky's ability to chill tf out. There's a lot of action and reveals throughout, which was entertaining at the beginning... But then it became like a mega-stuffed oreo situation. Like, we wanted double stuffed but now it's just gross. By the end I was tired of the new layers being heaped onto the proverbial pile of coats, and it felt like so much went unaddressed in favour of the next reveal.
I'm interested to see how the ratings for this one shake out. I think you'll either love it, or you'll immediately delete it from your Kindle. I'm tossing this a three because it's an interesting concept, and there were several 'gems' about (I can't really say because it's a spoiler). I think this was going for a [famous classic book] meets [movie adaptation of famous book] vibe but it spent too much time on [movie adaptation of famous book] before it became clear what the damn point is. Maybe I'm just 6 short of a dozen so the point skated right over this smooth ass brain, but I was surprised when the 'master plan' was revealed.
Keeping this one short 'n sweet (unlike me). If the premise speaks to you, give it a whirl. A good book club or buddy read pick.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: start was very intriguing and action-packed
Cons: a bit of an identity crisis—not sure what it wanted to be (or I'm not smart enough to cotton on), too many threads left dangling in favour of 'shocking' reveals
___
Check out my YouTube
February 25, 2024
“The Trials of Lila Dalton” - A Riveting Journey Through the Labyrinth of Memory and Truth
Imagine waking up in a courtroom, facing a man accused of a horrific crime, and not knowing who you are, or why you are there. This is the chilling predicament that Lila Dalton finds herself in “The Trials of Lila Dalton”, the debut novel by L. J. Shepherd. Shepherd, a Cardiff-based barrister with experience in high-profile public inquiries, leverages her expertise to craft a riveting and intricate thriller. The novel stands out in its genre, thanks to the authenticity of its courtroom scenes and legal complexities, enriched by Shepherd’s firsthand knowledge of the legal field. The narrative is peppered with insider details such as the cab-rank rule, cross-examination techniques, and the bad character evidence rule, and more, setting it apart from other legal dramas.
This adrenaline-fueled thriller, revolved around a compelling female protagonist, captivates readers from start to finish. The narrative unfolds on Assumption Island, a fictional North Atlantic locale, where Lila Dalton, a barrister with no memory of her past, defends a suspected bomber. Lila’s only certainty is her kidnapped daughter’s existence and the need to win the case to save her. As she navigates through the labyrinth of deception and manipulation, she uncovers the island’s dark secrets and realizes the case is far from a simple bombing. The plot brims with unexpected twists as Lila unravels the truth about the case and the island. Shepherd’s vivid world-building crafts a unique setting where the island itself becomes a character with its own history and rules. The novel delves into themes like the role of the media, the corruption of the justice system, and the dangers of psychological manipulation.
While the book has a few minor weaknesses, including stereotypical secondary characters, and overly technical legal jargon, these do not significantly detract from the overall reading experience. Some plot developments and the ending might stretch the reader’s suspension of disbelief due to their convenience, overuse of abstract dialogues or lack of explanation. The novel sometimes relies on clichés and tropes, such as the evil media, corrupt government, and mysterious cult, but it also subverts and challenges them in interesting ways.
“The Trials of Lila Dalton” is a remarkable and impressive debut novel, that will delight and thrill fans of psychological thrillers, legal dramas, and dystopian twist.
I appreciate the L.J. Shepherd, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for letting me review a pre-release copy of the book and share my honest opinion.
Imagine waking up in a courtroom, facing a man accused of a horrific crime, and not knowing who you are, or why you are there. This is the chilling predicament that Lila Dalton finds herself in “The Trials of Lila Dalton”, the debut novel by L. J. Shepherd. Shepherd, a Cardiff-based barrister with experience in high-profile public inquiries, leverages her expertise to craft a riveting and intricate thriller. The novel stands out in its genre, thanks to the authenticity of its courtroom scenes and legal complexities, enriched by Shepherd’s firsthand knowledge of the legal field. The narrative is peppered with insider details such as the cab-rank rule, cross-examination techniques, and the bad character evidence rule, and more, setting it apart from other legal dramas.
This adrenaline-fueled thriller, revolved around a compelling female protagonist, captivates readers from start to finish. The narrative unfolds on Assumption Island, a fictional North Atlantic locale, where Lila Dalton, a barrister with no memory of her past, defends a suspected bomber. Lila’s only certainty is her kidnapped daughter’s existence and the need to win the case to save her. As she navigates through the labyrinth of deception and manipulation, she uncovers the island’s dark secrets and realizes the case is far from a simple bombing. The plot brims with unexpected twists as Lila unravels the truth about the case and the island. Shepherd’s vivid world-building crafts a unique setting where the island itself becomes a character with its own history and rules. The novel delves into themes like the role of the media, the corruption of the justice system, and the dangers of psychological manipulation.
While the book has a few minor weaknesses, including stereotypical secondary characters, and overly technical legal jargon, these do not significantly detract from the overall reading experience. Some plot developments and the ending might stretch the reader’s suspension of disbelief due to their convenience, overuse of abstract dialogues or lack of explanation. The novel sometimes relies on clichés and tropes, such as the evil media, corrupt government, and mysterious cult, but it also subverts and challenges them in interesting ways.
“The Trials of Lila Dalton” is a remarkable and impressive debut novel, that will delight and thrill fans of psychological thrillers, legal dramas, and dystopian twist.
I appreciate the L.J. Shepherd, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for letting me review a pre-release copy of the book and share my honest opinion.
April 7, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own
Although this debut novel won't be released until August, I felt compelled to skip over my April and May reads and select this book as my most recent read. It's a courtroom drama that dabbles in the sphere of far-right conspiracy plots. Although the narrative is confusing at times, I couldn't put down the book. However, it( the storyline) may not appeal to all readers. I agree with my fellow early reviewers that the book loses steam in the last ten chapters. By the end, I was left wondering, "Happily ever after?"🤷♂️
All in all, it's not going to be on my list of 5-star reads this year BUT I still feel that it caught my attention enough to leave a lasting memory.
Expected Publication 27/08/24
Goodreads Review 06/04/24
Although this debut novel won't be released until August, I felt compelled to skip over my April and May reads and select this book as my most recent read. It's a courtroom drama that dabbles in the sphere of far-right conspiracy plots. Although the narrative is confusing at times, I couldn't put down the book. However, it( the storyline) may not appeal to all readers. I agree with my fellow early reviewers that the book loses steam in the last ten chapters. By the end, I was left wondering, "Happily ever after?"🤷♂️
All in all, it's not going to be on my list of 5-star reads this year BUT I still feel that it caught my attention enough to leave a lasting memory.
Expected Publication 27/08/24
Goodreads Review 06/04/24
July 22, 2024
I was so hopeful when I started this book.
I love me a courtroom drama, which made me so excited with the opening scenes.
As the book progressed, it just became so.... odd.
It's like the author thought, I'll throw in as much random stuff as I can and give Lila no clues along the way. There's nothing to explain anything properly. Felt so disjointed, and by the end I had no idea what was going on.
It was readable, but it needs way more structure.
I love me a courtroom drama, which made me so excited with the opening scenes.
As the book progressed, it just became so.... odd.
It's like the author thought, I'll throw in as much random stuff as I can and give Lila no clues along the way. There's nothing to explain anything properly. Felt so disjointed, and by the end I had no idea what was going on.
It was readable, but it needs way more structure.
May 22, 2024
Long, confusing and just weird. I really wanted to love it, the premise of the story was so promising but it ended up being just ok. Obviously not quite one for me.
June 12, 2024
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, L.J. Shepherd, and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Exploring this debut novel by L.J. Shepherd, I sought to better understand the author and her writing style. Shepherd offers up a great story that pulls on the reader’s sensibilities as they try to piece it all together. Lila Dalton has no memory how she made it into a courtroom, but she is now faced with defending a man whose actions have been deemed terrorist in nature by the UK Government. While trying to pit the pieces together for the case, Lila must also learn what happened to her and how she will get out of this mess. Confusion drowns out all, but there is surely something more to the story, as Lila Dalton will have to come to terms with before the case is lost. L.J. Shepherd weaves quite the tale with this piece, a strong debut thriller for all to enjoy.
When Lila Dalton clues in to where she is, it is not what she expects. She’s standing in a courtroom, preparing to defend a man who is on trial for terrorist activities. While she has no idea what happened, she has little time to wonder, as the case is set to proceed and she will have to put her best effort in to ensure he is acquitted.
All the while, living on a small British island for the trial, Lila is contacted by some mysterious people who demand she acquit her client or lose her daughter forever. Lila still has no idea what’s going on and it is only when she begins digging into her client’s background that things begin to make a slight bit of sense. Still, she is not sure what will come of it all or how to ensure she does not lose her daughter forever.
Unable to trust anyone around her in this isolated locale, Lila Dalton will have to fight off the confusion to get answers before the end of the trial. She’s capable, but there are some additional hurdles that could stymie her progress and land a man in jail for the rest of his life. Shepherd dazzles in this debut novel and leaves me wanting more.
I enjoy discovering new authors and seeing how they will make the most of their writing. L.J. Shepherd does well with this debut piece, mixing the law with a number of thriller aspects to create a strong novel. A key aspect of the narrative is the building momentum, which is seconded only by the quick approach of the narrative flow. With some interesting characters, Shepherd weaves a story of intrigue, mystery, and legal conundrums that is sure to capture the reader’s attention. I was impressed with this debut.
Plot twists abound in this piece, where no one is quite sure of which way is up or how it will all come together. Shepherd offers up strong views and surprises the reader with their placement throughout the story. Lila Dalton is a keen legal figure but her personal life is in a shambles, forcing her to choose between the sure-fire way towards success and one that might reveal too much about those who are trying to pull her strings. I am eager to see if others shared my excitement about this novel and new author on the scene.
Kudos Madam Shepherd, for a captivating debut!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Exploring this debut novel by L.J. Shepherd, I sought to better understand the author and her writing style. Shepherd offers up a great story that pulls on the reader’s sensibilities as they try to piece it all together. Lila Dalton has no memory how she made it into a courtroom, but she is now faced with defending a man whose actions have been deemed terrorist in nature by the UK Government. While trying to pit the pieces together for the case, Lila must also learn what happened to her and how she will get out of this mess. Confusion drowns out all, but there is surely something more to the story, as Lila Dalton will have to come to terms with before the case is lost. L.J. Shepherd weaves quite the tale with this piece, a strong debut thriller for all to enjoy.
When Lila Dalton clues in to where she is, it is not what she expects. She’s standing in a courtroom, preparing to defend a man who is on trial for terrorist activities. While she has no idea what happened, she has little time to wonder, as the case is set to proceed and she will have to put her best effort in to ensure he is acquitted.
All the while, living on a small British island for the trial, Lila is contacted by some mysterious people who demand she acquit her client or lose her daughter forever. Lila still has no idea what’s going on and it is only when she begins digging into her client’s background that things begin to make a slight bit of sense. Still, she is not sure what will come of it all or how to ensure she does not lose her daughter forever.
Unable to trust anyone around her in this isolated locale, Lila Dalton will have to fight off the confusion to get answers before the end of the trial. She’s capable, but there are some additional hurdles that could stymie her progress and land a man in jail for the rest of his life. Shepherd dazzles in this debut novel and leaves me wanting more.
I enjoy discovering new authors and seeing how they will make the most of their writing. L.J. Shepherd does well with this debut piece, mixing the law with a number of thriller aspects to create a strong novel. A key aspect of the narrative is the building momentum, which is seconded only by the quick approach of the narrative flow. With some interesting characters, Shepherd weaves a story of intrigue, mystery, and legal conundrums that is sure to capture the reader’s attention. I was impressed with this debut.
Plot twists abound in this piece, where no one is quite sure of which way is up or how it will all come together. Shepherd offers up strong views and surprises the reader with their placement throughout the story. Lila Dalton is a keen legal figure but her personal life is in a shambles, forcing her to choose between the sure-fire way towards success and one that might reveal too much about those who are trying to pull her strings. I am eager to see if others shared my excitement about this novel and new author on the scene.
Kudos Madam Shepherd, for a captivating debut!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 19, 2024
2.5* --> 3*
This is a bit of a weird one, to be honest.
Lila Dalton finds herself in a courtroom without any recollection of her life. She doesn’t have a clue what she looks like, what her name is or why she’s in court. She *does* however, very conveniently, remember all things legalese. Which is a good thing, since she needs to win a trial and at the same time figure out what happened to her, and how to get home. Wherever that is.
Sounds complicated, doesn’t it. It gets rather worse as the story goes on. But first …
Of the good! Legal proceedings. I do love me some courtroom drama. Even if the English legal system with their QC’s, and barristers, and whatnots will forever baffle me. The fun part here is that just like Lila, the reader doesn’t have a clue what’s going on so you have the opportunity to try and figure things out alongside her. Hm, yes, good luck with that.
I had absolutely no idea where this story was heading and never would have been able to come up with something as convoluted as this storyline either. Obviously I can’t divulge any of it but suffice to say that it all became rather confusing, and as the pages went on I could feel my interest waning.
Lila’s lack of memories is at first extremely intriguing, and the mystery of what happened to her is definitely compelling, fuelling curiosity all the time. Just like her, it’s impossible to know who to trust. If anyone. However, many of the other events felt distracting to me and way out there. Truth be told, the complex tale lost me entirely in the latter stages. While a resolution and explanation was eventually offered, I must admit it went way over my head. The ending left me as confused as everything else.
This started out quite brilliantly. I thought the initial premise was utterly promising and had tons of potential. But then it went entirely off the rails, leaving me to feel like my head had exploded. I'm afraid I just didn’t quite get “it”. A speculative thriller with two halves for me. It wasn't at all what I was expecting and while I enjoyed parts of it, there were also parts I didn't get on with at all.
This is a bit of a weird one, to be honest.
Lila Dalton finds herself in a courtroom without any recollection of her life. She doesn’t have a clue what she looks like, what her name is or why she’s in court. She *does* however, very conveniently, remember all things legalese. Which is a good thing, since she needs to win a trial and at the same time figure out what happened to her, and how to get home. Wherever that is.
Sounds complicated, doesn’t it. It gets rather worse as the story goes on. But first …
Of the good! Legal proceedings. I do love me some courtroom drama. Even if the English legal system with their QC’s, and barristers, and whatnots will forever baffle me. The fun part here is that just like Lila, the reader doesn’t have a clue what’s going on so you have the opportunity to try and figure things out alongside her. Hm, yes, good luck with that.
I had absolutely no idea where this story was heading and never would have been able to come up with something as convoluted as this storyline either. Obviously I can’t divulge any of it but suffice to say that it all became rather confusing, and as the pages went on I could feel my interest waning.
Lila’s lack of memories is at first extremely intriguing, and the mystery of what happened to her is definitely compelling, fuelling curiosity all the time. Just like her, it’s impossible to know who to trust. If anyone. However, many of the other events felt distracting to me and way out there. Truth be told, the complex tale lost me entirely in the latter stages. While a resolution and explanation was eventually offered, I must admit it went way over my head. The ending left me as confused as everything else.
This started out quite brilliantly. I thought the initial premise was utterly promising and had tons of potential. But then it went entirely off the rails, leaving me to feel like my head had exploded. I'm afraid I just didn’t quite get “it”. A speculative thriller with two halves for me. It wasn't at all what I was expecting and while I enjoyed parts of it, there were also parts I didn't get on with at all.
April 3, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
The Trials of Lila Dalton.
This was a trial to read!
** Minor conspiracy-like spoilers ahead **
Lila Dalton wakes up in a courtroom with no idea how she got there.
All she knows is she's a barrister (lawyer) and has been appointed to represent a murderer and terrorist.
As Lila pursues her own investigation into how she came to be there, a complicated and increasingly silly narrative unfolds regarding neo-Nazism, government conspiracies, brainwashing, scientific experiments involving mind control, convoluted ideologies regarding freedom and speech and oh yeah, let's throw in the kitchen sink, too.
I can't help but feel the author is trying to communicate their personal political agenda (in a not so subtle way) through this messy story and I don't like it.
I wasn't happy with the vibe, the plot, or the characters.
I get that Lila finds herself in a strange, unfamiliar place, and she's confused and disoriented, but she gets flustered and weepy toooo often, and is characterized as a stereotypical female.
It was hard to take Lila seriously as a competent lawyer, especially since she repeats the same words often like 'despicable' but that's the author's fault.
There was too much going on, and not much of it made sense.
If the author had focused on just one plot, for example, the mind control experiment conspiracy, then the narrative would have more sense, as much as a conspiracy makes sense.
This was a trial to read!
** Minor conspiracy-like spoilers ahead **
Lila Dalton wakes up in a courtroom with no idea how she got there.
All she knows is she's a barrister (lawyer) and has been appointed to represent a murderer and terrorist.
As Lila pursues her own investigation into how she came to be there, a complicated and increasingly silly narrative unfolds regarding neo-Nazism, government conspiracies, brainwashing, scientific experiments involving mind control, convoluted ideologies regarding freedom and speech and oh yeah, let's throw in the kitchen sink, too.
I can't help but feel the author is trying to communicate their personal political agenda (in a not so subtle way) through this messy story and I don't like it.
I wasn't happy with the vibe, the plot, or the characters.
I get that Lila finds herself in a strange, unfamiliar place, and she's confused and disoriented, but she gets flustered and weepy toooo often, and is characterized as a stereotypical female.
It was hard to take Lila seriously as a competent lawyer, especially since she repeats the same words often like 'despicable' but that's the author's fault.
There was too much going on, and not much of it made sense.
If the author had focused on just one plot, for example, the mind control experiment conspiracy, then the narrative would have more sense, as much as a conspiracy makes sense.
July 10, 2025
“Trials aren’t about the truth. They’re about what you can and can’t prove.”
The Trials of Lila Dalton is the first novel by British barrister and author, L J Shepherd. Her mind completely blank, junior barrister Lila Dalton becomes suddenly aware she is standing in a courtroom, in front of a jury, expected to list the witnesses she intends to call. Bluffing her way through, she gradually learns that she is filling in for her seriously injured silk in the trial of mass murderer, Jonathan Eades.
With no recollection of anything about the case, her first instinct is to fake it until she makes it, because revealing her memory loss will likely have unpleasant consequences; her second is to escape, but that is thwarted by the fact that all this is taking place on an island in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean; and soon enough, someone gives her a very compelling reason to get Eades off.
There are lots of weird things about Assumption Island, strange things happening to Lila: cryptic notes, a purple trench coat, people only she sees, white supremacists, an escaped prisoner, phones tapped, fishing boats that never go out, neo-Nazi symbols, mysterious pager messages, a wrist tattooed whilst unconscious, threats about a daughter she can’t remember, and conspiracy theories about mass scale mind manipulation. But, as one character tells Lila, “It’s smoke and mirrors, all of it.”
Lila faces spurious murder charges, her unsympathetic solicitor tells her: “That’s what all clients think, isn’t it? That we defend them because we’re on their side, because we believe them. We both know it’s not our job to believe them; it’s our job to represent them.”
While she does include some thought-provoking themes, only Shepherd’s obvious expertise as a barrister saves this debut novel from a lower rating, once the cheap trick, a rather well-used trope, is revealed, although there are glaring clues from early on. This doesn’t quite live up to its promise.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.
The Trials of Lila Dalton is the first novel by British barrister and author, L J Shepherd. Her mind completely blank, junior barrister Lila Dalton becomes suddenly aware she is standing in a courtroom, in front of a jury, expected to list the witnesses she intends to call. Bluffing her way through, she gradually learns that she is filling in for her seriously injured silk in the trial of mass murderer, Jonathan Eades.
With no recollection of anything about the case, her first instinct is to fake it until she makes it, because revealing her memory loss will likely have unpleasant consequences; her second is to escape, but that is thwarted by the fact that all this is taking place on an island in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean; and soon enough, someone gives her a very compelling reason to get Eades off.
There are lots of weird things about Assumption Island, strange things happening to Lila: cryptic notes, a purple trench coat, people only she sees, white supremacists, an escaped prisoner, phones tapped, fishing boats that never go out, neo-Nazi symbols, mysterious pager messages, a wrist tattooed whilst unconscious, threats about a daughter she can’t remember, and conspiracy theories about mass scale mind manipulation. But, as one character tells Lila, “It’s smoke and mirrors, all of it.”
Lila faces spurious murder charges, her unsympathetic solicitor tells her: “That’s what all clients think, isn’t it? That we defend them because we’re on their side, because we believe them. We both know it’s not our job to believe them; it’s our job to represent them.”
While she does include some thought-provoking themes, only Shepherd’s obvious expertise as a barrister saves this debut novel from a lower rating, once the cheap trick, a rather well-used trope, is revealed, although there are glaring clues from early on. This doesn’t quite live up to its promise.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.
February 1, 2025
The Trials of Lila Dalton by L.J. Shepherd is one of the more layered debuts that I have read in a minute, and I was hooked from the very first chapter! The premise of a barrister standing at the front of a courtroom with no idea of how she got there or who she is was incredibly intriguing to me and the execution was well done. I initially rated this a 3, but after thinking about it more, it is probably more of a 4 star read for me. It is very complex and while I didn’t love the far-right aspect of the story I have to be fair to the author who literally put it in the note at the beginning that I failed to read first for fear of spoilers, so that’s on me.
I did love this book on audio and I thought Ella Lynch made for an amazing narrator. She was pleasant to listen to, easy to understand, and she totally took on the persona of our FMC Lila. The anxiety ridden moments especially as we get to the end were excellently expressed by Lynch and I could feel her voice radiating the tension I myself was feeling for Lila. I loved the isolated location setting as well as the scraps of memory and déjà vu that Lila experiences throughout as she tries to figure out how she got to where she is while at the same time trying to win the case for her client. This ended up being very twisty and I was so glad there was a conversation with the author (not in the audiobook) that confirmed it was what I thought it was. Very freaky and added a bit of an otherworldly twist I wasn't expecting.
Read this if you enjoy intricate debuts that are based on far-right conspiracy theorists, heaps of red herrings, and courtroom dramas!
Book Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I did love this book on audio and I thought Ella Lynch made for an amazing narrator. She was pleasant to listen to, easy to understand, and she totally took on the persona of our FMC Lila. The anxiety ridden moments especially as we get to the end were excellently expressed by Lynch and I could feel her voice radiating the tension I myself was feeling for Lila. I loved the isolated location setting as well as the scraps of memory and déjà vu that Lila experiences throughout as she tries to figure out how she got to where she is while at the same time trying to win the case for her client. This ended up being very twisty and I was so glad there was a conversation with the author (not in the audiobook) that confirmed it was what I thought it was. Very freaky and added a bit of an otherworldly twist I wasn't expecting.
Read this if you enjoy intricate debuts that are based on far-right conspiracy theorists, heaps of red herrings, and courtroom dramas!
Book Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
November 20, 2023
It was an extremely weird novel, and not necessarily in a bad way. The plot is quite interesting, though quite political and I was not expecting that. It tackles some topics that I think can be rather triggering to a certain audience. It didn’t trigger me, but it was definitely an unique trajectory for a story. The main character is confusing (and confused) from the beginning, and it doesn’t really change throughout the story. The similarities with Shutter Island are for sure present; the ending especially reminded me of the movie. Reality and dreams are blurrier than ever in this novel. And, as a reader, you float in this alternative reality, this dreamlike substantiality. It may not be for everyone, but I would still recommend this novel to those who are not afraid to lose their grip on reality for a little while.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
March 4, 2024
A very unique premise and I was hooked right from the start. I will admit it was a little hard to follow at the beginning. Reality and speculative fiction were intertwined beautifully. Lila Dalton, a very skilled barrister, comes to in a court room with a judge and 12 jurors looking at her, only to discover that she is the defense attorney in a terrorist case where 27 people died in a bombing. She has no memory of anything up to that very moment. She has to question everything and put on a face that she knows everything. Assumption Island, a fictional North Atlantic location where Lila Dalton must get her client off scot-free or end up losing her daughter There is a lot going on here. This is not a quick read. But being the debut novel by this author, I am very impressed. Take your time and watch this unfold.
December 30, 2023
An intriguing courtroom mystery! I picked this one up because of the interesting plot premise of a lawyer with amnesia and was eager to learn more. While a well worn trope, I just love books about characters with amnesia and feeling like you are learning alongside the main character and never know whether you can trust their recollections. This one was fun to read and offered up something a bit different. If you enjoy court room thrillers you will no doubt enjoy this one. There were some fun elements and reveals that I'd guessed early on but this didn't make it any less enjoyable. I found the writers style to be easy to read and fast-paced. I'll certainly be looking out for more by this author in the future.
January 25, 2024
3.5 stars, full review to follow shortly.
November 19, 2024
“The way she peppers every sentence with fuck and perv. It’s such a welcome oasis in this strange world of wigs and gowns and glass boxes,” (p. 10).
Lila Dalton looks up and suddenly realizes she’s standing in the middle of a courtroom. But something isn’t right here - she can’t remember where she is, who she is, or why she’s here. The situation intensifies when the judge speaks directly to her, and she has an undoubting feeling that she must be defending the person on trial.
This book is a wild ride and an absolute blast to read. It’s packed with red herrings and unanswered questions that keep you, and Lila, both guessing at every turn. There’s an eerie sense that something is deeply off, and you just have to keep turning the pages to uncover the truth.
With its fast-pacing and cast of characters I flew through this book. The suspense and confusion twist together around the entire story, they pull you in and refuse to let go. The more you learn, the more perplexed you become, until everything clicks into place at just the right moments.
I loved the courtroom drama - being a fan of legal thrillers - and the added intrigue of Assumption Island made it even better. This book had me hooked from start to finish.
It’s so underrated, and I don’t get why! But that’s the beauty of reading - we all take away something different and see stories in our own unique way.
Loved it all. Can’t wait for her next book!
Lila Dalton looks up and suddenly realizes she’s standing in the middle of a courtroom. But something isn’t right here - she can’t remember where she is, who she is, or why she’s here. The situation intensifies when the judge speaks directly to her, and she has an undoubting feeling that she must be defending the person on trial.
This book is a wild ride and an absolute blast to read. It’s packed with red herrings and unanswered questions that keep you, and Lila, both guessing at every turn. There’s an eerie sense that something is deeply off, and you just have to keep turning the pages to uncover the truth.
With its fast-pacing and cast of characters I flew through this book. The suspense and confusion twist together around the entire story, they pull you in and refuse to let go. The more you learn, the more perplexed you become, until everything clicks into place at just the right moments.
I loved the courtroom drama - being a fan of legal thrillers - and the added intrigue of Assumption Island made it even better. This book had me hooked from start to finish.
It’s so underrated, and I don’t get why! But that’s the beauty of reading - we all take away something different and see stories in our own unique way.
Loved it all. Can’t wait for her next book!
September 11, 2024
Trial Of Lila Dalton by L. J Shephard
This book was so interesting! It’s a courtroom drama with a twist! Lila can’t remember what happened to her but she comes to at the court house and her silk… is in a coma and she’s been thrown in. She can’t remember a lick of anything… and someone wants her to win or she will lose in a big way!
Oohh gave me chills! Lila is great because she can’t remember anything and she gets pieces of memories as she goes. Someone wants her to win her case but something sinister is going on.
The pace is a bit slow for me but the story was interesting enough that I could overlook that! There are some plot holes but again, I can move past that.
The ending wasn’t brilliant but I did enjoy the book on the whole.
4 stars
This book was so interesting! It’s a courtroom drama with a twist! Lila can’t remember what happened to her but she comes to at the court house and her silk… is in a coma and she’s been thrown in. She can’t remember a lick of anything… and someone wants her to win or she will lose in a big way!
Oohh gave me chills! Lila is great because she can’t remember anything and she gets pieces of memories as she goes. Someone wants her to win her case but something sinister is going on.
The pace is a bit slow for me but the story was interesting enough that I could overlook that! There are some plot holes but again, I can move past that.
The ending wasn’t brilliant but I did enjoy the book on the whole.
4 stars
July 2, 2024
ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥: 𝐸-𝐵𝑜𝑜𝓀
ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨: 𝐈 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲: 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐈 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝?! 𝐌𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 ��𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐈 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤.
𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑳𝒊𝒍𝒂 𝑫𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐬, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐢𝐭. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 (𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟) 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫. 𝐈 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐠𝐨 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬!
𝐻𝓊𝑔𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑜 𝐿.𝒥. 𝒮𝒽𝑒𝓅𝒽𝑒𝓇𝒹, 𝒫𝑜𝒾𝓈𝑜𝓃𝑒𝒹 𝒫𝑒𝓃 𝒫𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓈, & 𝒩𝑒𝓉𝒢𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑅𝒞! 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓌𝓃.
ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨: 𝐈 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲: 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐈 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝?! 𝐌𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 ��𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐈 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤.
𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑳𝒊𝒍𝒂 𝑫𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒐𝒏 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐬, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐢𝐭. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 (𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟) 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫. 𝐈 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐠𝐨 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬!
𝐻𝓊𝑔𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑜 𝐿.𝒥. 𝒮𝒽𝑒𝓅𝒽𝑒𝓇𝒹, 𝒫𝑜𝒾𝓈𝑜𝓃𝑒𝒹 𝒫𝑒𝓃 𝒫𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓈, & 𝒩𝑒𝓉𝒢𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑅𝒞! 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓌𝓃.
January 17, 2025
I thought this had such an interesting premise - but as I continued - I really didn’t enjoy the criminal group she was fighting against. The writing and explanations of this group felt really dense - and I was wanting to skip past it.
It just gave me a weird pit in my stomach reading about a white supremacy group. I’m protecting my peace and DNF-ing this. I’m sad because this had a lot of potential.
It just gave me a weird pit in my stomach reading about a white supremacy group. I’m protecting my peace and DNF-ing this. I’m sad because this had a lot of potential.
September 19, 2024
Terrible book. So confusing and then it still didn't make sense at the end.
October 9, 2024
Terrible. Characters need development, plot is very confusing. So hard to follow
August 1, 2024
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Aug. 27, 2024
L.J. Shepherd’s debut novel, “The Trials of Lila Dalton” is a propulsive, compelling, legal thriller ideal for fans of “The Matrix” and “Memento”.
Lila Dalton is standing in a courtroom, defending a client charged with acts of terrorism. The problem? Lila can’t remember how she got there, or even where “here” is. In fact, Lila can’t even remember her name. Stranded on an island, with no memory and no one to help, Lila is left scrambling to figure out who she is. But then she starts receiving threats, insisting Lila clear her client of all charges, or risk losing her daughter (a daughter that Lila has no recollection of) forever. But how does she defend a client she doesn’t recognize, when she can’t even remember her own name?
“Trials” started off hot, with Lila facing a jury and a judge in a courtroom as a defense lawyer, defending the most popular case of the year. Lila has no memory of course, but her knowledge of the law has been retained, so she clumsily tries to fumble her way through while she searches for any clues as to how she ended up in her current situation. There’s no slowing down for Shepherd, as the plot hits hard and keeps on going, with twist after twist.
The first half of the novel is a legal thriller and the second half veers off into the world of government conspiracy and secret organizations. Both are intriguing, and Shepherd does a good job of connecting the two seamlessly. There are some confusing parts in the novel, especially in the latter half, when the conspiracy plotline takes over, but that did not stop me from enjoying “Trials”.
Shepherd has a background in law, as the courtroom segments make quite obvious, and I loved the premise of a lawyer who suffers memory loss in the middle of the hottest trial of her career. What was happening to Lila was not clear from the beginning, and I loved making guesses and trying to figure it out before Shepherd revealed it. When the truth comes out, I was taken by surprise, in a good way, and the ending was definitely a twist I did not expect.
“Trials” is unique and creative, and I look forward to future works from Shepherd.
Expected publication date: Aug. 27, 2024
L.J. Shepherd’s debut novel, “The Trials of Lila Dalton” is a propulsive, compelling, legal thriller ideal for fans of “The Matrix” and “Memento”.
Lila Dalton is standing in a courtroom, defending a client charged with acts of terrorism. The problem? Lila can’t remember how she got there, or even where “here” is. In fact, Lila can’t even remember her name. Stranded on an island, with no memory and no one to help, Lila is left scrambling to figure out who she is. But then she starts receiving threats, insisting Lila clear her client of all charges, or risk losing her daughter (a daughter that Lila has no recollection of) forever. But how does she defend a client she doesn’t recognize, when she can’t even remember her own name?
“Trials” started off hot, with Lila facing a jury and a judge in a courtroom as a defense lawyer, defending the most popular case of the year. Lila has no memory of course, but her knowledge of the law has been retained, so she clumsily tries to fumble her way through while she searches for any clues as to how she ended up in her current situation. There’s no slowing down for Shepherd, as the plot hits hard and keeps on going, with twist after twist.
The first half of the novel is a legal thriller and the second half veers off into the world of government conspiracy and secret organizations. Both are intriguing, and Shepherd does a good job of connecting the two seamlessly. There are some confusing parts in the novel, especially in the latter half, when the conspiracy plotline takes over, but that did not stop me from enjoying “Trials”.
Shepherd has a background in law, as the courtroom segments make quite obvious, and I loved the premise of a lawyer who suffers memory loss in the middle of the hottest trial of her career. What was happening to Lila was not clear from the beginning, and I loved making guesses and trying to figure it out before Shepherd revealed it. When the truth comes out, I was taken by surprise, in a good way, and the ending was definitely a twist I did not expect.
“Trials” is unique and creative, and I look forward to future works from Shepherd.
February 7, 2025
My mind is still spinning from The Trials of Lila Dalton.
This book felt like inception mixed with Criminal Minds- but whew.
The way this book came full circle at the end - mind blown. I had no idea where this plot was headed, I just knew my heart felt for Lila and what she was experiencing. The fear of the unknown and expectations - Lila figuring out WHO she is and why she's on this island.
Goodness, all I will say, is if you enjoy books that mind f*ck you, this is a great one to read.
This book felt like inception mixed with Criminal Minds- but whew.
The way this book came full circle at the end - mind blown. I had no idea where this plot was headed, I just knew my heart felt for Lila and what she was experiencing. The fear of the unknown and expectations - Lila figuring out WHO she is and why she's on this island.
Goodness, all I will say, is if you enjoy books that mind f*ck you, this is a great one to read.
November 23, 2024
So so thankful that I read "note from the author" before starting this book. Evidently she equates "far-right" to terrorists. Good lord!!
June 16, 2025
Netgalley ARC
This was one of those books that had so much potential, but never quite got there.
A lawyer who finds herself in a courtroom and doesn't know how she got there sounded like a great premise and I usually don't mind unreliable narrators in a thriller. This case has a defendant who is a neo-nazi whose bomb killed a large number of people. Now we have the added complication of the lawyer's daughter missing - and her life depends on what happens in this case. And, if that wasn't enough, the case is happening on an Alcatraz-like island.
But the suspense was lost for me in all the legal mumbo jumbo, which dragged on and on. It wasn't sold as a legal thriller, so this was frustrating. The story was just weird and I found it too confusing even for a speculative fiction novel. This one wasn't for me.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This was one of those books that had so much potential, but never quite got there.
A lawyer who finds herself in a courtroom and doesn't know how she got there sounded like a great premise and I usually don't mind unreliable narrators in a thriller. This case has a defendant who is a neo-nazi whose bomb killed a large number of people. Now we have the added complication of the lawyer's daughter missing - and her life depends on what happens in this case. And, if that wasn't enough, the case is happening on an Alcatraz-like island.
But the suspense was lost for me in all the legal mumbo jumbo, which dragged on and on. It wasn't sold as a legal thriller, so this was frustrating. The story was just weird and I found it too confusing even for a speculative fiction novel. This one wasn't for me.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
February 5, 2024
Lila dalton is a lawyer, but while at trial suddenly her memory fades and she can’t remember who she is and what to do.
I skipped most of this book: the plot sounded interesting and i absolutely love the cover of this one. But i think i was expecting a bit more a normal family-vibe, but it was a lot of legal stuff and confusing.
I bet this will be a great book for people who enjoy lawyer MC, amnesia plot, courtroom drama, or would like to read a book where there’s barely any blood/descriptions of murder, etc. Hope it will be someone else’s next favorite read even if it wasn’t mine.
Happy reading!♥️
I got a free copy from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
I skipped most of this book: the plot sounded interesting and i absolutely love the cover of this one. But i think i was expecting a bit more a normal family-vibe, but it was a lot of legal stuff and confusing.
I bet this will be a great book for people who enjoy lawyer MC, amnesia plot, courtroom drama, or would like to read a book where there’s barely any blood/descriptions of murder, etc. Hope it will be someone else’s next favorite read even if it wasn’t mine.
Happy reading!♥️
I got a free copy from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2024
Oooh not too sure about this one, I felt like the last quarter was a bit all over the place and hard to follow. The epilogue made up for a lack of a strong ending, just unsure how much sense it actually makes.
Read
February 28, 2024You could have given me 100 years and infinite guesses and I would have NEVER predicted where this story was going.
September 5, 2024
She’s defending a man accused of a heinous crime….
….yet she has no idea who or where she is, or what the crime was. In what can only be described as the worst possible take on that dream we’ve all had where we arrive to take a final exam for a class we never attended, Lila Dalton comes to consciousness in a British courtroom with a judge and jury awaiting her opening statement. She is understandably panicked and overwhelmed, but does not admit to her state. With glimmers of courtroom knowledge kicking in, she asks for a brief recess and so begins her arduous journey to reclaim her memories and perform her role in the trial. The more she learns about the circumstances surrounding the case and her current level of involvement in it, the more dire the situation becomes. The person who should have been leading the defense just died in a suspicious automobile crash, hence Lila’s elevation to that role. Lila begins receiving mysterious messages reminding her that she has to secure an acquittal for her client or else suffer an unthinkable consequence. The trial is taking place on Assumption Island, a British Overseas Territory, and the island and people on it are to put it mildly strange. She senses that her every action is being monitored, that her ability to communicate freely is hampered, and is even arrested briefly for her predecessor’s death. With no real memories and able only to occasionally access bits of legal knowledge, Lila joins forces with a fringe journalist and a police officer who seems to share some of Lila’s suspicions about what is happening on Assumption Island, all while combatting a condescending prosecutor, a handsy judge and a Special Branch DC whose motivations are highly suspect. Will justice prevail amidst such an inauspicious environment?
In this novel, the reader as well as the protagonist enter into the story with little information. Who is Lila, and why is she in the state she is in? What is this trial about? Who is threatening her? As the plot unfolds, answers to these questions slowly begin to appear, although character development is given how the story is set up is limited. I would have preferred for the plot to have moved along more quickly and for the construct of the story to have been made clear sooner, but it is an interesting lens through which to view a legal case. Readers of authors like Paula Hawkins, William Landay and Harry Dolan might be interested in picking up a copy of The Trials of Lila Dalton. My thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me early access to a copy of this intriguing thriller.
….yet she has no idea who or where she is, or what the crime was. In what can only be described as the worst possible take on that dream we’ve all had where we arrive to take a final exam for a class we never attended, Lila Dalton comes to consciousness in a British courtroom with a judge and jury awaiting her opening statement. She is understandably panicked and overwhelmed, but does not admit to her state. With glimmers of courtroom knowledge kicking in, she asks for a brief recess and so begins her arduous journey to reclaim her memories and perform her role in the trial. The more she learns about the circumstances surrounding the case and her current level of involvement in it, the more dire the situation becomes. The person who should have been leading the defense just died in a suspicious automobile crash, hence Lila’s elevation to that role. Lila begins receiving mysterious messages reminding her that she has to secure an acquittal for her client or else suffer an unthinkable consequence. The trial is taking place on Assumption Island, a British Overseas Territory, and the island and people on it are to put it mildly strange. She senses that her every action is being monitored, that her ability to communicate freely is hampered, and is even arrested briefly for her predecessor’s death. With no real memories and able only to occasionally access bits of legal knowledge, Lila joins forces with a fringe journalist and a police officer who seems to share some of Lila’s suspicions about what is happening on Assumption Island, all while combatting a condescending prosecutor, a handsy judge and a Special Branch DC whose motivations are highly suspect. Will justice prevail amidst such an inauspicious environment?
In this novel, the reader as well as the protagonist enter into the story with little information. Who is Lila, and why is she in the state she is in? What is this trial about? Who is threatening her? As the plot unfolds, answers to these questions slowly begin to appear, although character development is given how the story is set up is limited. I would have preferred for the plot to have moved along more quickly and for the construct of the story to have been made clear sooner, but it is an interesting lens through which to view a legal case. Readers of authors like Paula Hawkins, William Landay and Harry Dolan might be interested in picking up a copy of The Trials of Lila Dalton. My thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me early access to a copy of this intriguing thriller.
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