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Adam Green #4
The Defence
Not yet published
Expected 18 Jun 26At MP-turned-wellness-guru Adrian Wells’s glitzy launch event for a bath salt that promises to reverse ageing, someone is about to turn up the heat. . .
As Adrian lowers himself into the architectural copper tub to showcase his miracle product in front of countless influencers, it soon becomes clear that something is amiss.
The bath salt has been poisoned. And now Adrian is dead. His long-suffering assistant Jules is the prime suspect.
Barrister Adam Green is tasked with Jules’s defence, and he quickly realises that there were many more people with a score to settle against Adrian.
Can Adam win the day, or is he in too deep?
As Adrian lowers himself into the architectural copper tub to showcase his miracle product in front of countless influencers, it soon becomes clear that something is amiss.
The bath salt has been poisoned. And now Adrian is dead. His long-suffering assistant Jules is the prime suspect.
Barrister Adam Green is tasked with Jules’s defence, and he quickly realises that there were many more people with a score to settle against Adrian.
Can Adam win the day, or is he in too deep?
- GenresMystery
407 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 18, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 10, 2026
Walked into a secondhand bookstore. Made eye contact with a beautiful dog, patted her. Then spotted a glorious sight: the new Rob Rinder book. Disbelief. This was perfect timing before a weekend trip to Marseille.
Mr Rinder has created another great continuation of Adam Green’s story. I enjoyed the balance between the main case and the side case he was working on. I was guessing for quite a while but I think towards the very end it became fairly obvious what was going to happen. As this was only at the very end, it didn’t damper on my feeling towards the novel as a whole. I enjoyed the pace of new case information throughout - definitely kept me reading more and more wondering where it was going to eventually lead. I got sunburnt while stuck turning the pages.
Over and out, cheers Rob.
Mr Rinder has created another great continuation of Adam Green’s story. I enjoyed the balance between the main case and the side case he was working on. I was guessing for quite a while but I think towards the very end it became fairly obvious what was going to happen. As this was only at the very end, it didn’t damper on my feeling towards the novel as a whole. I enjoyed the pace of new case information throughout - definitely kept me reading more and more wondering where it was going to eventually lead. I got sunburnt while stuck turning the pages.
Over and out, cheers Rob.
April 20, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.
This is my first time reading an Adam Green novel and I must say it won’t be my last. Rob Rinder’s spellbinding courtroom drama has you hooked from start to finish. The characters are either likeable or not depending on your perspective.
This is my first time reading an Adam Green novel and I must say it won’t be my last. Rob Rinder’s spellbinding courtroom drama has you hooked from start to finish. The characters are either likeable or not depending on your perspective.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Defence, is the fourth book in the Adam Green series by Rob Rinder. A well written mix of satire and courtroom drama. It’s a story that proves the wellness industry can be just as toxic as the poisons it claims to flush away.
Adrian Wells, a Member of Parliament turned wellness guru is appearing at the launch of a new miracle cure. The product is a bath salt that promises to reverse the aging process. In a grand promotional stunt, Adrian lowers himself into an architectural copper tub in front of a crowd of camera-wielding influencers. The demonstration appears to be going well until Adrian Well’s collapses dying from the “anti-aging” salts that have been lethally poisoned.
The police don’t have to look far for a suspect. Jules, Adrian’s long-suffering assistant, was the person closest to the tub and arguably the one with the most motive to see her demanding boss gone. With the evidence stacked against her, the case looks like a “slam dunk” for the prosecution. Barrister Adam Green, is tasked with defending Jules’s, and has he digs into Adrian’s past, he discovers that the wellness guru’s “inner circle” was a shark tank of resentment. From jilted business partners to exploited employees, the list of people who wanted Adrian dead is as long as a supermarket receipt.
This is a well written addition to the series that could easily be read as a standalone. I really enjoy legal thrillers especially when they are written by authors who bring authenticity to their novels. My favourite parts are the courtroom battles and in this novel Rob Rinder shows his legal expertise to craft a courtroom battle that feels authentic, tense, and expertly paced.
The wellness industry is a multi million pound business and Adam soon realises he is not only fighting for a verdict but faces a world of powerful people who will do anything to keep their own secrets submerged.
This is a well written Legal thriller that is well plotted and has a touch of humour. Adam Green is a very good protagonist, a well developed character that has many facets.
A captivating” mystery that balances the gravity of a murder trial with the levity of a social comedy.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Random House UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Adrian Wells, a Member of Parliament turned wellness guru is appearing at the launch of a new miracle cure. The product is a bath salt that promises to reverse the aging process. In a grand promotional stunt, Adrian lowers himself into an architectural copper tub in front of a crowd of camera-wielding influencers. The demonstration appears to be going well until Adrian Well’s collapses dying from the “anti-aging” salts that have been lethally poisoned.
The police don’t have to look far for a suspect. Jules, Adrian’s long-suffering assistant, was the person closest to the tub and arguably the one with the most motive to see her demanding boss gone. With the evidence stacked against her, the case looks like a “slam dunk” for the prosecution. Barrister Adam Green, is tasked with defending Jules’s, and has he digs into Adrian’s past, he discovers that the wellness guru’s “inner circle” was a shark tank of resentment. From jilted business partners to exploited employees, the list of people who wanted Adrian dead is as long as a supermarket receipt.
This is a well written addition to the series that could easily be read as a standalone. I really enjoy legal thrillers especially when they are written by authors who bring authenticity to their novels. My favourite parts are the courtroom battles and in this novel Rob Rinder shows his legal expertise to craft a courtroom battle that feels authentic, tense, and expertly paced.
The wellness industry is a multi million pound business and Adam soon realises he is not only fighting for a verdict but faces a world of powerful people who will do anything to keep their own secrets submerged.
This is a well written Legal thriller that is well plotted and has a touch of humour. Adam Green is a very good protagonist, a well developed character that has many facets.
A captivating” mystery that balances the gravity of a murder trial with the levity of a social comedy.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Random House UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 - 5 stars
Adam Green #4
As per usual, Adam has a lot on his legal plate. There’s his work with the GMC in Manchester and he’s called in to be part of the defence of Jules Quentin, accused of the spectacularly public murder of MP turned wellness guru, Adrian Wells. Is Jules guilty of poisoning his miracle product bath salts with wolfsbane or are there others with axes to grind? As if that’s not enough, he’s given a manslaughter case combined with homophobia. ‘Twas ever thus for a busy barrister from a well respected chambers.
This is a very interesting, engaging and contrasting mixed bag of cases, clearly demonstrating just how hectic Adam’s life is and the never-ending flow of cases. It’s excellent on the fluctuating dynamics, especially in the Jules Quentin case where he’s working under the leadership of Ursula Elder, whose resemblance to a Rottweiler is all too apparent. It brings him up against Georgina, his one good friend in Chambers, as she is the prosecutor of the case. As always, there’s the mother/son dynamic, his mother is quite hilarious and provides some smiles to counterbalance the grit. It’s a win-win for me.
The manslaughter case introduces something new to me, a Newton hearing, whereby a client disputes the facts put forward by the opposition. This is a very tricky case and Adam‘s ultimate confliction is very well done. As always, the courtroom scenes are excellent with a really good back-and-forth between all sides and, of course, the judge.
It’s a fast, free flowing, constant momentum and full steam head plot as Adam is pulled in all directions. It’s witty and clever, combined with legalese and a very good plot. The characterisation is excellent, I really like Adam, he’s a good central protagonist, his dogged, honourable and an all-round good human being.
Overall, this is a very compelling read and a series I continue to enjoy.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K., Cornerstone for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Adam Green #4
As per usual, Adam has a lot on his legal plate. There’s his work with the GMC in Manchester and he’s called in to be part of the defence of Jules Quentin, accused of the spectacularly public murder of MP turned wellness guru, Adrian Wells. Is Jules guilty of poisoning his miracle product bath salts with wolfsbane or are there others with axes to grind? As if that’s not enough, he’s given a manslaughter case combined with homophobia. ‘Twas ever thus for a busy barrister from a well respected chambers.
This is a very interesting, engaging and contrasting mixed bag of cases, clearly demonstrating just how hectic Adam’s life is and the never-ending flow of cases. It’s excellent on the fluctuating dynamics, especially in the Jules Quentin case where he’s working under the leadership of Ursula Elder, whose resemblance to a Rottweiler is all too apparent. It brings him up against Georgina, his one good friend in Chambers, as she is the prosecutor of the case. As always, there’s the mother/son dynamic, his mother is quite hilarious and provides some smiles to counterbalance the grit. It’s a win-win for me.
The manslaughter case introduces something new to me, a Newton hearing, whereby a client disputes the facts put forward by the opposition. This is a very tricky case and Adam‘s ultimate confliction is very well done. As always, the courtroom scenes are excellent with a really good back-and-forth between all sides and, of course, the judge.
It’s a fast, free flowing, constant momentum and full steam head plot as Adam is pulled in all directions. It’s witty and clever, combined with legalese and a very good plot. The characterisation is excellent, I really like Adam, he’s a good central protagonist, his dogged, honourable and an all-round good human being.
Overall, this is a very compelling read and a series I continue to enjoy.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K., Cornerstone for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This fun series of cosy legal mysteries is written by Rob Rinder and unlike some books written by tv celebrities, it is actually very good.
Adam Green is a junior barrister who is given two crime cases after a series of less interesting jobs. One is high profile, an ex MP who runs a wellness hotel for celebrities, is poisoned in front of a room full of guests whilst demonstrating “Well Water” ! His assistant Julia is accused of the crime with a lot of evidence against her- Adam and his team must try and find a defence which proves difficult. If she has been framed which is possible, Adam must find a plausible alternative perpetrator.
The other is a case of a homophobic hate crime, resulting in death. Adam has to defend the culprit, a man who claims he is a reformed character, not a bigot. It is up to Adam as to whether he is credible and whether he can defend him.
As ever Adam gets involved with investigating, in this case the wellness murder and visits the facility which is in Hadley Wood- an area very near where I live! I was trying to work out if Mr Rinder had based it on our local hotel!
I liked Adam’s conversations with his mother which served to lighten the mood of the book and were very funny. In this book she even has a friend who works at the hotel which gives Adam easier access to investigate.
There is even a possible love interest for Adam in the plot but the reader has to wait till the end to see if it works out.
I really like these books as they are light reads but well written and obviously conceived by someone with a legal background. I definitely recommend “The Defence” and am now awaiting the next one in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
Adam Green is a junior barrister who is given two crime cases after a series of less interesting jobs. One is high profile, an ex MP who runs a wellness hotel for celebrities, is poisoned in front of a room full of guests whilst demonstrating “Well Water” ! His assistant Julia is accused of the crime with a lot of evidence against her- Adam and his team must try and find a defence which proves difficult. If she has been framed which is possible, Adam must find a plausible alternative perpetrator.
The other is a case of a homophobic hate crime, resulting in death. Adam has to defend the culprit, a man who claims he is a reformed character, not a bigot. It is up to Adam as to whether he is credible and whether he can defend him.
As ever Adam gets involved with investigating, in this case the wellness murder and visits the facility which is in Hadley Wood- an area very near where I live! I was trying to work out if Mr Rinder had based it on our local hotel!
I liked Adam’s conversations with his mother which served to lighten the mood of the book and were very funny. In this book she even has a friend who works at the hotel which gives Adam easier access to investigate.
There is even a possible love interest for Adam in the plot but the reader has to wait till the end to see if it works out.
I really like these books as they are light reads but well written and obviously conceived by someone with a legal background. I definitely recommend “The Defence” and am now awaiting the next one in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely love a good old-fashioned legal drama (RIP Rumpole of the Bailey), and Rob Rinder obviously knows what he's talking about in that regard. I've read all of his barrister Adam Green series, and I always enjoy them, even if I can never remember much about them afterwards. (But I read a LOT.)
In The Defence, the likeable Adam is acting as junior counsel for the defence in a high profile murder case. Adrian Wells has followed the rather unusual career trajectory of Conservative MP to wellness guru, running an expensive, celebrity-infested retreat which sounds frankly ridiculous. And now he's dead, his long suffering assistant Jules accused of his murder. It's an open and shut case, surely. Adam's friend Georgina, prosecuting, certainly thinks so, and is in need of a high profile win to cement her growing reputation. Jules, meanwhile, is not exactly helping herself.
Meanwhile, Adam is also defending a man accused of a homophobic attack which resulted in a man's death. Jordan Spencer admits the attack, but not the homophobia. Could he be telling the truth?
This was an enjoyable read, though one plot strand was a bit predictable (and disappointing). Main character Adam is a good egg with solid principles. Also, his mum is hilarious. There's an entanglement of sorts with an attractive journalist which has his mum hearing wedding bells...
I'd like to have heard a bit more about one character's stint on a TV reality talent show called Starcrossed (great name!) which seemed like it would've been fun to read about.
All in all an engaging, entertaining read and a good addition to the series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Defence is the fourth book in this wonderful series with junior barrister Adam Green who is working long hours on many different legal cases.
Adrian Wells previously an MP is now making millions as a fitness guru mainly from the inventions of his put upon assistant Julie. At his wellness retreat he starts to demonstrate his new bath salts that he declares will turn back the aging process etc, as he enters the bath water he suddenly collapses and dies killed by a poison in the salts. The police investigation leads to Julie being charged with his murder.
Working for the defence Adam tries to find out as much as he can to prove Julie’s innocence so here we have a murder investigation and the court case. As usual from this author we have riveting arguments and cross examination from the prosecution and defence. There is much going on outside of court with different characters that are well described coming into play. The final scenes are heart pounding and brilliant.
It is particularly great seeing Adam grow in confidence and ability and dare I hope even his personal life is looking as if it’s taking a turn for the better. The phone calls with his Jewish mother are so amusing and add much to this story.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.
Adrian Wells previously an MP is now making millions as a fitness guru mainly from the inventions of his put upon assistant Julie. At his wellness retreat he starts to demonstrate his new bath salts that he declares will turn back the aging process etc, as he enters the bath water he suddenly collapses and dies killed by a poison in the salts. The police investigation leads to Julie being charged with his murder.
Working for the defence Adam tries to find out as much as he can to prove Julie’s innocence so here we have a murder investigation and the court case. As usual from this author we have riveting arguments and cross examination from the prosecution and defence. There is much going on outside of court with different characters that are well described coming into play. The final scenes are heart pounding and brilliant.
It is particularly great seeing Adam grow in confidence and ability and dare I hope even his personal life is looking as if it’s taking a turn for the better. The phone calls with his Jewish mother are so amusing and add much to this story.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is my first read by Rob Rinder and I enjoyed The Defence although it didn't wow me. The authors writing is good and engaging and the story flows well. The story has very believeable characters, I did like Adam who is part of a legal defence team where the client is accused of murder, and alongside this is given a separate case to work on. I think the plot is good, there are some good twists and the Stag Court parts make for fascinating reading. I really liked the court and trial parts and the snippets of Adam's conversations with his mum bring humour to the story. There are some good twists here but I did guess them before they were revealed. A shoddy police investigation, a trial by media and a development in Adam's personal life means he has to pull out all the stops with this case.
I did enjoy this book but it came across more as a cozy legal read to me. Yes, it is good, I just wasn't desperate to know more or find out what would come next. I like books with the main focus being the police investigation which is lacking here. If you like cozy legal reads you'll enjoy this and I'd recommend it. I think perhaps I'm not the right reader for this authors books if I'm honest.
3 stars
I did enjoy this book but it came across more as a cozy legal read to me. Yes, it is good, I just wasn't desperate to know more or find out what would come next. I like books with the main focus being the police investigation which is lacking here. If you like cozy legal reads you'll enjoy this and I'd recommend it. I think perhaps I'm not the right reader for this authors books if I'm honest.
3 stars
May 1, 2026
Mann, these books are so good!!
I always look forward to follows up in this series and they never fail to capture me. It’s entertaining, addicting and I’m always intrigued to see how it’ll end up for Adam.
It’s such a novel perspective to be in the courtroom defending or presenting evidence against those accused of crimes, which Rob Rinder writes so well and in such a way you feel so absorbed into it. I’m used to the run of the mill whodunnits where it’s the police collating evidence, it’s nice to read what happens after that in the courtroom!
You can tell it’s not just superficial research but a real in depth knowledge and understanding which gives these books such a real feel of authenticity. It makes them so enjoyable and it also helps that by now, I’m so attached to the characters, I’m really rooting for them in every case.
I’ve never come across a book series so easy to read as this one. I can’t wait for more!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
I always look forward to follows up in this series and they never fail to capture me. It’s entertaining, addicting and I’m always intrigued to see how it’ll end up for Adam.
It’s such a novel perspective to be in the courtroom defending or presenting evidence against those accused of crimes, which Rob Rinder writes so well and in such a way you feel so absorbed into it. I’m used to the run of the mill whodunnits where it’s the police collating evidence, it’s nice to read what happens after that in the courtroom!
You can tell it’s not just superficial research but a real in depth knowledge and understanding which gives these books such a real feel of authenticity. It makes them so enjoyable and it also helps that by now, I’m so attached to the characters, I’m really rooting for them in every case.
I’ve never come across a book series so easy to read as this one. I can’t wait for more!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I would like to thank Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This series just keeps getting better and better.
I absolutely adore Adam Green. I truly do. I genuinely think Adam Green feels real - I truly could imagine him in Stag Court dealing with all of these cases. The cases Adam faces can be truly morally complex and I understand the difficulties he face. I also love how he's much more than a barrister. I love his work as a 'mini detective' doing the work his clients deserve. Each mystery in the series is cleverly built. It is more than just a simple whodunnit. It's deducing clues and working out which clue actually works.
I hope this series continues because it is a reliable series. I can always trust it to steal a couple of hours away from me and I enjoy it every single time.
Finally, this is just for Rob Rinder: I NEED more Adam and Georgina. I DESERVE to know what happens next. They DESERVE happiness.
This series just keeps getting better and better.
I absolutely adore Adam Green. I truly do. I genuinely think Adam Green feels real - I truly could imagine him in Stag Court dealing with all of these cases. The cases Adam faces can be truly morally complex and I understand the difficulties he face. I also love how he's much more than a barrister. I love his work as a 'mini detective' doing the work his clients deserve. Each mystery in the series is cleverly built. It is more than just a simple whodunnit. It's deducing clues and working out which clue actually works.
I hope this series continues because it is a reliable series. I can always trust it to steal a couple of hours away from me and I enjoy it every single time.
Finally, this is just for Rob Rinder: I NEED more Adam and Georgina. I DESERVE to know what happens next. They DESERVE happiness.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oh, Adam, you do get yourself into sticky situations.
Book 4 of the Adam Green series and hopefully many more.
Adam has two cases. The biggest one is defending Jules Quentin, who is accused of murdering her boss. Looks like a simple open snd shut case. Guilty! She had the motive and the means. But is it as easy as that? Of course not.
Adam is once again juggling work life and home life, which is something he is not very successful with.
I love the phone conversations between Adam and his mother. She is hilarious. Still trying to marry him off.
I love all the legal stuff. The behind the scenes that we don't get to hear about. I find it fascinating.
Good to see the usual characters haven't changed. Jonathan has brought in his son Freddie as his pupil.
Another riveting read, and I can't wait until the next one.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK Cornerstone for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Book 4 of the Adam Green series and hopefully many more.
Adam has two cases. The biggest one is defending Jules Quentin, who is accused of murdering her boss. Looks like a simple open snd shut case. Guilty! She had the motive and the means. But is it as easy as that? Of course not.
Adam is once again juggling work life and home life, which is something he is not very successful with.
I love the phone conversations between Adam and his mother. She is hilarious. Still trying to marry him off.
I love all the legal stuff. The behind the scenes that we don't get to hear about. I find it fascinating.
Good to see the usual characters haven't changed. Jonathan has brought in his son Freddie as his pupil.
Another riveting read, and I can't wait until the next one.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK Cornerstone for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another excellent read from Robert Rinder!
Adam Green is back and this is yet another book hard to sum up without spoilers. It has drama, law, believable characters and definite commentary if society all wrapped up in one enthralling and easily digestible read.
There are references to the prior books in the series but this story does also standalone. I greatly enjoyed how Rinder writes; he builds tension and characters effortlessly whilst also charming the reader into such a believable world of absolutely drama. There's humour, emotion and wit. One I definitely recommend!
Adam Green is back and this is yet another book hard to sum up without spoilers. It has drama, law, believable characters and definite commentary if society all wrapped up in one enthralling and easily digestible read.
There are references to the prior books in the series but this story does also standalone. I greatly enjoyed how Rinder writes; he builds tension and characters effortlessly whilst also charming the reader into such a believable world of absolutely drama. There's humour, emotion and wit. One I definitely recommend!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rob Rinder has done it again yet another page turner. This is continuing the Journey of Adam from previous books and this one is probably the best so far.
The knowledge of the law from the author helps with the authenticity of the book and I did not know who the killer was for a very long time. The secondary story within the book is also excellent and pretty shocking.
I am hugely surprised that this has not been picked up for a TV series when lesser "celebrity" authors that are not writing such page turners are.
Like all of his previous books a triumph.
The knowledge of the law from the author helps with the authenticity of the book and I did not know who the killer was for a very long time. The secondary story within the book is also excellent and pretty shocking.
I am hugely surprised that this has not been picked up for a TV series when lesser "celebrity" authors that are not writing such page turners are.
Like all of his previous books a triumph.
May 8, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for this brilliantly amazing read - Rob really has done it again.
I was hooked from the start as this was such a great storyline - characters to love and hate!
I love Adam and Georgina and the chemistry between them so off and on! Will they, won’t they / yes or no - who knows!!??
I love this series and really want it to keep going please and I highly recommend all of the books so far.
I was hooked from the start as this was such a great storyline - characters to love and hate!
I love Adam and Georgina and the chemistry between them so off and on! Will they, won’t they / yes or no - who knows!!??
I love this series and really want it to keep going please and I highly recommend all of the books so far.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A fantastic read, with plenty of twists and turns that kept me hooked from start to finish. I think this series benefits hugely from the authors vast experience of the British judicial system, this adds to the realism and detail bringing you into the courtroom. Perfectly paced and I cannot wait for the next instalment of the series. Highly recommended
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC. I’ve liked all Rob Rinder’s ‘Adam Green’ books but this one is my favourite- twisty but also emotionally intelligent and just a really great story!
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