The Twelfth Juror

by B.M. Gill

As the jury deliberates the case against TV personality Edward Carne, on trial for his wife's murder, the accused man's fate lies with the twelfth juror, Robert Quinn, who has a deeply emotional interest in the outcome

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, British Literature

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Barbara Margaret Trimble aka Margaret Blake

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this, along with a few other novels by the same author (now, it seems, largely forgotten) a long time ago and recently came across it while clearing out (rather unsuccessfully) boxes of books in my loft. Unsuccessfully because, rather than throwing them out as intended, I keep going “ooh, forgot all about that one” and sticking them back on my bookshelves to reread. Anyway I knew I’d read The Twelfth Juror away back in ye olden times, but although I had a feeling I’d enjoyed it at the time, I couldn’t remember anything else about it. A quick reread seemed appropriate.

Published in 1984, it won the Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger Award for that year (beating, incidentally, The Tree of Hands by the mighty Ruth Rendell). So, that seemed promising. And anything courtroomy appeals to me.

Former newsreader, now distinguished TV presenter, Edward Carne stands in the dock, accused of murdering his wife, Jocelyn. His fate will be decided by a jury of twelve supposedly unbiased men and women. But one of those people, at least, has a closer connection to Carne than he is willing to disclose...

The story is interesting and well written but some things made me glad the book is now out of print. The characterisation of Blossom - “the Chinese girl” as Quinn describes her - feels uncomfortable and more than a bit racist. (Apparently, she glides about in green silk exuding “oriental calm” and dispensing sexual favours.) And the references (no spoilers) to “sexual deviancy” are horribly jarring. I know it was 35 years ago but it was 1984, not 1954, for goodness sake.

I did guess - more or less - the truth, though I can’t congratulate myself too much on that as I have read it before and though I didn’t consciously remember it, it was no doubt lodged in my subconscious somewhere. That said, I suspect I may have guessed anyway.

As courtroom dramas go it isn’t the best I’ve ever read (there are few surprises in court and I would perhaps have liked more of the interplay between the jurors) but it is an enjoyable read and, as I said, well written. The ending is quite powerful. However some things really don’t sit well with me (and I’m sure didn’t in 1984, either) so on that basis I can’t necessarily recommend it - but it’s definitely an interesting curiosity.

B. M. Gill - real name Barbara Trimble - wrote over 20 crime, thriller and romance novels under the various names of B. M. Gill, Margaret Blake and Barbara Gilmour. She died in 1995.

[John FitzGerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a good mystery at the bottom of this, but the trial procedure is a caricature and the pace is very slow.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: the defendant is Edward Carne who is accused of killing his wife. Interesting, one of the juror's seems to know more about the case.

[Aratrika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up because it was under 200 pages and wanted to read something short and crisp. And boyyyy was I nowled over.

First of this is a very well written murder mystery, which is a breath of fresh air for me. Most murder mysteries are from the perspective of a police officer or a detective but this is beautifully set in a brotish court room and gives us a peek into the world of law and how things are battled out in court.

It's an appropriately paced writing, no where did it feel to constricted or too prolonged.

What amazed me was the end..... almost gave me a heart attack twice.....


All in all, this is a must read. 🙌

[Masayuki Arai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone should suspect why he is behaving oddly and hiding something.

[Kacper Nedza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was beautifully done, gripping and atmospheric, richly characterized, with a hell of an ending. I loved it.

[Patrick Reade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok I liked it

[Regine]

Compelling.

[Betty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems an unlikely winner of the Crime Writers Association Gold Dagger. Thin plot, not particularly credible.

[angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

slow very slow

[Ariel_Carraro · Rating 4 out of 5]

"El jurado número doce" trata sobre un asesinato. Una joven mujer es asesinada. El culpable más probable parece ser su propio esposo. Sin embargo, no existe un motivo aparente. Es cierto, su esposo Edward Carne tiene todas las de perder en el juicio pues las pruebas circunstanciales apuntan a que él es el asesino. Pero olvidan que una prueba no es una evidencia contundente. Eso, y otros sucesos más, serán cruciales en el veredicto final.

La verdad será descubierta y no será sencilla de aceptar.