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This Jury Is Guilty
Not yet published
Expected 3 Nov 26Everyone is Watching meets Twelve Angry Men in a tense and twisty locked-room thriller where, sequestered together until the Hollywood trial is closed, a jury must decide the fate of an actor accused of attempted murder, but this jury has explosive secrets, and one of them is about to get away with murder.
No one here is innocent.
Hollywood's biggest movie star, Danny Scott, stands accused of trying to murder his wife, starlet Hope Harrison, in a case that has taken the world by storm. Everyone is What led to the events of that night, and what darker truths simmer beneath the surface of Danny and Hope's marriage? As the world watches, twelve sequestered jurors must decide Danny's fate – and the world is gripped by their every deliberation. But even a jury has its secrets…
Juror 6 is risking everything for this trial. Even her life.
Juror 2 is playing games. But can he keep one step ahead of his own lies?
Juror 13, the alternate, will do anything to be on that jury. Anything.
And Juror 7 is hardly noticed by anyone. Just as she planned.
As each juror vies for the verdict they want, secrets, obsessions, and plots for revenge will come to light in the stands. Because everyone is lying. Everyone is guilty. And one of them might be planning a murder of their own.
With shocking twists and propulsive pacing, This Jury Is Guilty is a thought-provoking, locked-room thriller exploring our obsessions with true crime, the blurry lines between fact and fiction, and the lengths we might be willing to go to seek justice. For fans of Amy Tintera, Steve Cavanagh, and Ellery Lloyd
No one here is innocent.
Hollywood's biggest movie star, Danny Scott, stands accused of trying to murder his wife, starlet Hope Harrison, in a case that has taken the world by storm. Everyone is What led to the events of that night, and what darker truths simmer beneath the surface of Danny and Hope's marriage? As the world watches, twelve sequestered jurors must decide Danny's fate – and the world is gripped by their every deliberation. But even a jury has its secrets…
Juror 6 is risking everything for this trial. Even her life.
Juror 2 is playing games. But can he keep one step ahead of his own lies?
Juror 13, the alternate, will do anything to be on that jury. Anything.
And Juror 7 is hardly noticed by anyone. Just as she planned.
As each juror vies for the verdict they want, secrets, obsessions, and plots for revenge will come to light in the stands. Because everyone is lying. Everyone is guilty. And one of them might be planning a murder of their own.
With shocking twists and propulsive pacing, This Jury Is Guilty is a thought-provoking, locked-room thriller exploring our obsessions with true crime, the blurry lines between fact and fiction, and the lengths we might be willing to go to seek justice. For fans of Amy Tintera, Steve Cavanagh, and Ellery Lloyd
432 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
June 18, 2026
I thought this was a fantastic debut. It’s mixed media which I always enjoy. There’s also a lot of different narrators. The jury is involved in a high profile case involving a married actor and actress. There were a lot of people in the jury who are trying to manipulate how everyone votes but it’s not until the end when you figure out which way everyone is leaning. It was hard to put down, and the ending was definitely not what I expected. This will be out in November of 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars
An attempted murder charge. Two celebrities pitted against one another. A sequestered jury. Twelve jurors and two alternates, some of whom are not who they seem to be.
This is reminiscent of a locked-room mystery. With the jury sequestered, the jurors have plenty of time to get up to mischief, and in some cases, dirty tricks. Several of the jurors have plans of their own: jury foreperson, writing a book about the trial and revenge are just a few of the things on their minds.
The book is well written, and reads very quickly. The characters are a mixed bunch: some likable, some not so much. Ms. Blake gives a satisfying and sufficient background for the main characters. I enjoyed the book and will certainly look into more of Ms. Blake’s novels.
I want to thank NetGalley and SourcebooksLandmark/Landmark for forwarding this book to me. The opinions cited in this review are solely my own.
An attempted murder charge. Two celebrities pitted against one another. A sequestered jury. Twelve jurors and two alternates, some of whom are not who they seem to be.
This is reminiscent of a locked-room mystery. With the jury sequestered, the jurors have plenty of time to get up to mischief, and in some cases, dirty tricks. Several of the jurors have plans of their own: jury foreperson, writing a book about the trial and revenge are just a few of the things on their minds.
The book is well written, and reads very quickly. The characters are a mixed bunch: some likable, some not so much. Ms. Blake gives a satisfying and sufficient background for the main characters. I enjoyed the book and will certainly look into more of Ms. Blake’s novels.
I want to thank NetGalley and SourcebooksLandmark/Landmark for forwarding this book to me. The opinions cited in this review are solely my own.
July 4, 2026
Тнe jυry ιѕ ɢυιlтy
вy lαυrιe вlαĸe
releαѕe dαтe 11/03/2026
5 🌟
The case watched around the world: The People of the State of California v. Danny Scott.
At 51 years old, famous actor Danny Scott is worth millions and accused of solicitation to commit murder after allegedly hiring his longtime friend, Artie, to kill his then-wife, Hope Harrison.
Each chapter introduces another juror selected for the trial. Between those chapters are live news reports from outside the courtroom that seamlessly pull you into the day’s proceedings.
Every juror has a reason for wanting to be there, and none of them are the reasons they claimed during jury selection.
Alternate juror Michelle Washington is determined to infiltrate the group and become one of the twelve by any means necessary.
Juror 6, Dee McCallister, is the one to watch. She knows everything about everyone on that jury and has no problem using what she knows to get the outcome she wants. She’s an incredibly sharp operator.
Then there’s Juror 7, Franny Davis, a retired schoolteacher with one last thing she needs to accomplish before she dies.
I could write a paragraph on each juror and still not spoil this book!
If you’re looking to read something unique and unlike any other book you’ve run across, then this is it.
The chapters.
The characters.
The outline.
The layout.
All of it.
Perfection.
#sourcebooks
#sourcebookslandmark
#laurieblake
#5starbook
#thejuryisguilty
#LandmarkPartner
вy lαυrιe вlαĸe
releαѕe dαтe 11/03/2026
5 🌟
The case watched around the world: The People of the State of California v. Danny Scott.
At 51 years old, famous actor Danny Scott is worth millions and accused of solicitation to commit murder after allegedly hiring his longtime friend, Artie, to kill his then-wife, Hope Harrison.
Each chapter introduces another juror selected for the trial. Between those chapters are live news reports from outside the courtroom that seamlessly pull you into the day’s proceedings.
Every juror has a reason for wanting to be there, and none of them are the reasons they claimed during jury selection.
Alternate juror Michelle Washington is determined to infiltrate the group and become one of the twelve by any means necessary.
Juror 6, Dee McCallister, is the one to watch. She knows everything about everyone on that jury and has no problem using what she knows to get the outcome she wants. She’s an incredibly sharp operator.
Then there’s Juror 7, Franny Davis, a retired schoolteacher with one last thing she needs to accomplish before she dies.
I could write a paragraph on each juror and still not spoil this book!
If you’re looking to read something unique and unlike any other book you’ve run across, then this is it.
The chapters.
The characters.
The outline.
The layout.
All of it.
Perfection.
#sourcebooks
#sourcebookslandmark
#laurieblake
#5starbook
#thejuryisguilty
#LandmarkPartner
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a great book that I read in one day. Told from the perspective of several jurors on the jury of a celebrity attempted murder trial we soon learn that the defendant is not the only one keeping secrets. Juror 2 is determined to become foreperson of the jury and will stop at nothing to get his way. Juror 6 is hiding a dark past that will put her and her family at risk if it is found out. Juror 7 is hiding behind her invisible status as an older woman but she too has a hidden agenda as does Juror 13, the alternate, who desperately wants to get on the jury and be in the room for deliberations. Sequestered for two weeks, we get to see their lives up close and their secrets slowly revealed building to an explosive conclusion. An excellent slow burn thriller that will keep you flipping the pages to find out how it all ends. Highly recommend.
Danny is a superstar actor who is married to Hope. Their marriage ended because of his abusive drinking and now he is on trial for allegedly paying his friend to kill Hope. Except Hope finally fought back and managed to escape her attacker who died in the struggle. Danny's rich family has hired him the best lawyers and it looks like he might beat the charges. Several of the jurors have a personal interest in the case and will stop at nothing to make sure that Danny gets what is coming to him. Dee, Juror 6, is hiding her true identity and is pretending to be her cousin, the one who got the jury summons. Dee was a makeup artist who met Danny on set and they started dating and soon he became abusive. When Danny is caught on a hotel security camera trying to strangle Dee, she gets a copy of the tape and goes to the police. Within an hour, a high powered lawyer shows up to offer Dee a deal, $5 million to drop the charges and disappear. Dee reluctantly accepts the offer, moves to NYC and invests her money. She is now rich but her life is empty because she has never stopped feeling guilty for letting Danny off the hook. Franny is Juror 7 and she is an old widow who is dying. She is on the jury to get justice for one of her former students who became pregnant by Danny and ended up dead when she wouldn't have an abortion. Her death was ruled an accident but Franny knows that Danny killed her. Rick is Juror 2 who is desperate to become the foreperson of the jury so that he can get a million dollar publishing deal to write a tell all book. And Michelle is the alternate who wants to get on the jury to avenge her brother's death. He was a traffic cop who responded to a crash where Danny was drunk. The higher ups ruled that it was an accident and when Michelle's brother wouldn't drop the investigation he was fired and he committed suicide days later. Rick plays games with Juror 1, stealing his lunch order and pinning it on another juror, starting a fight between the two. He hopes that Juror 1 will get kicked off of the jury for taking a swing at another juror but when that doesn't work he crushes his protein bar that contains peanuts into Juror 1's breakfast and hours later he is dead. The death is ruled a heart attack and Michelle is substituted as Juror 1 which makes Rick furious because he thought that he'd move up into the head position. Dee, Franny and Michele are all trying to befriend other jurors to get them to vote their way but they will also resort to blackmail if necessary. Some want a guilty verdict and some a not guilty one. Eventually it is revealed that the women are all working together and that they want a not guilty verdict because Franny plans to use a small knife hidden inside her pen to stab and kill Danny in the confusion after the verdict announcement. But they also have a backup plan. When Franny is too weak to get close to Danny who is swallowed up by the crowds, Dee's video of Danny choking a woman who could very easily be Hope is broadcast on the screen. Danny claims that it is fake, calls Hope a liar and grabs a gun from a deputy to shoot Hope but Franny steps in and takes the bullet instead. Danny is convicted and receives life in prison for killing Franny. A satisfying conclusion.
Danny is a superstar actor who is married to Hope. Their marriage ended because of his abusive drinking and now he is on trial for allegedly paying his friend to kill Hope. Except Hope finally fought back and managed to escape her attacker who died in the struggle. Danny's rich family has hired him the best lawyers and it looks like he might beat the charges. Several of the jurors have a personal interest in the case and will stop at nothing to make sure that Danny gets what is coming to him. Dee, Juror 6, is hiding her true identity and is pretending to be her cousin, the one who got the jury summons. Dee was a makeup artist who met Danny on set and they started dating and soon he became abusive. When Danny is caught on a hotel security camera trying to strangle Dee, she gets a copy of the tape and goes to the police. Within an hour, a high powered lawyer shows up to offer Dee a deal, $5 million to drop the charges and disappear. Dee reluctantly accepts the offer, moves to NYC and invests her money. She is now rich but her life is empty because she has never stopped feeling guilty for letting Danny off the hook. Franny is Juror 7 and she is an old widow who is dying. She is on the jury to get justice for one of her former students who became pregnant by Danny and ended up dead when she wouldn't have an abortion. Her death was ruled an accident but Franny knows that Danny killed her. Rick is Juror 2 who is desperate to become the foreperson of the jury so that he can get a million dollar publishing deal to write a tell all book. And Michelle is the alternate who wants to get on the jury to avenge her brother's death. He was a traffic cop who responded to a crash where Danny was drunk. The higher ups ruled that it was an accident and when Michelle's brother wouldn't drop the investigation he was fired and he committed suicide days later. Rick plays games with Juror 1, stealing his lunch order and pinning it on another juror, starting a fight between the two. He hopes that Juror 1 will get kicked off of the jury for taking a swing at another juror but when that doesn't work he crushes his protein bar that contains peanuts into Juror 1's breakfast and hours later he is dead. The death is ruled a heart attack and Michelle is substituted as Juror 1 which makes Rick furious because he thought that he'd move up into the head position. Dee, Franny and Michele are all trying to befriend other jurors to get them to vote their way but they will also resort to blackmail if necessary. Some want a guilty verdict and some a not guilty one. Eventually it is revealed that the women are all working together and that they want a not guilty verdict because Franny plans to use a small knife hidden inside her pen to stab and kill Danny in the confusion after the verdict announcement. But they also have a backup plan. When Franny is too weak to get close to Danny who is swallowed up by the crowds, Dee's video of Danny choking a woman who could very easily be Hope is broadcast on the screen. Danny claims that it is fake, calls Hope a liar and grabs a gun from a deputy to shoot Hope but Franny steps in and takes the bullet instead. Danny is convicted and receives life in prison for killing Franny. A satisfying conclusion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow! I really enjoyed this entertaining DEBUT and its SHOCKING MIC DROP 🎤 ending!
It would be PERFECT for the big screen!
Hollywood's biggest movie star, Danny Scott, has been accused of hiring a friend to murder his wife, Actress Hope Harrison, and the case has captured the attention of the entire World. They appeared to be Hollywood’s Golden Couple, but Public Persona doesn’t always match what happens behind closed doors.
Twelve sequestered jurors must decide Danny's fate –and in this legal thriller, the focus isn’t on the lawyers, or even on the ACCUSED or the DEFENDANT-it’s on our JURORS- many who have an AGENDA of their own.
I loved how the book was structured. The story is divided by the DAYS of the trial and each day opens with a news report from Hannah Smith of WKT News live from the Courtroom steps. It then unfolds through the POV’s of the FOUR jurors who each want to manipulate the others to vote the outcome that they want. There are also snippets of mixed media such as the 911 call and excerpts from the trial.
Each DAY seems to reveal a new SECRET.
In the state of California, the presiding Judge chooses the foreperson, and Judge Thornton J Malone always assigns the task to Juror # 1 which means that John Timpson will somehow need to be removed from the jury if Juror #2 Rick Peterson is to take his place and have HIS PLAN succeed.
But, Juror # 6, Dee McCallister has gone to great lengths, including changing her appearance, to secure her spot in the Jury, and she has studied all of her fellow jurors to ensure she has something against each of them that she can use to convince them to VOTE along with her.
We also hear from Juror #7, Franny Davis, a 70 year old retired schoolteacher and Widow who could have been excused because of her age, but chose to remain on the Jury because she has her own reasons for staying and a plan to make sure that Justice is served in this Trial.
And, the last juror we hear from is Alternate Juror #1, Michelle Washington, who will do WHATEVER it takes to get a seat on the Jury, and the right to deliberate and VOTE on the verdict.
I initially took notes on our twelve jurors, the two alternates and the Court Deputy, Gloria Honey, not realizing initially that it’s the FOUR JURORS I just mentioned who will be the focus of our story, although you will eventually get to know enough about each of the others as well, as they spend time together sequestered in the hotel and sitting in the Jury Box.
Suspend your disbelief that they could all manage to be chosen as jurors for this headline making trial and just enjoy the SURPRISING TWISTS and TURNS. I was RIVETED from the opening page of this intricately plotted LEGAL THRILLER, and thoroughly enjoyed this shocking tale of REVENGE.
A buddy read with Marilyn and Mary Beth so be sure to watch for their reviews!
You can pick it up on November 3, 2026
Thank You to Sourcebooks Landmark for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley, As always, these are my candid thoughts!
It would be PERFECT for the big screen!
Hollywood's biggest movie star, Danny Scott, has been accused of hiring a friend to murder his wife, Actress Hope Harrison, and the case has captured the attention of the entire World. They appeared to be Hollywood’s Golden Couple, but Public Persona doesn’t always match what happens behind closed doors.
Twelve sequestered jurors must decide Danny's fate –and in this legal thriller, the focus isn’t on the lawyers, or even on the ACCUSED or the DEFENDANT-it’s on our JURORS- many who have an AGENDA of their own.
I loved how the book was structured. The story is divided by the DAYS of the trial and each day opens with a news report from Hannah Smith of WKT News live from the Courtroom steps. It then unfolds through the POV’s of the FOUR jurors who each want to manipulate the others to vote the outcome that they want. There are also snippets of mixed media such as the 911 call and excerpts from the trial.
Each DAY seems to reveal a new SECRET.
In the state of California, the presiding Judge chooses the foreperson, and Judge Thornton J Malone always assigns the task to Juror # 1 which means that John Timpson will somehow need to be removed from the jury if Juror #2 Rick Peterson is to take his place and have HIS PLAN succeed.
But, Juror # 6, Dee McCallister has gone to great lengths, including changing her appearance, to secure her spot in the Jury, and she has studied all of her fellow jurors to ensure she has something against each of them that she can use to convince them to VOTE along with her.
We also hear from Juror #7, Franny Davis, a 70 year old retired schoolteacher and Widow who could have been excused because of her age, but chose to remain on the Jury because she has her own reasons for staying and a plan to make sure that Justice is served in this Trial.
And, the last juror we hear from is Alternate Juror #1, Michelle Washington, who will do WHATEVER it takes to get a seat on the Jury, and the right to deliberate and VOTE on the verdict.
I initially took notes on our twelve jurors, the two alternates and the Court Deputy, Gloria Honey, not realizing initially that it’s the FOUR JURORS I just mentioned who will be the focus of our story, although you will eventually get to know enough about each of the others as well, as they spend time together sequestered in the hotel and sitting in the Jury Box.
Suspend your disbelief that they could all manage to be chosen as jurors for this headline making trial and just enjoy the SURPRISING TWISTS and TURNS. I was RIVETED from the opening page of this intricately plotted LEGAL THRILLER, and thoroughly enjoyed this shocking tale of REVENGE.
A buddy read with Marilyn and Mary Beth so be sure to watch for their reviews!
You can pick it up on November 3, 2026
Thank You to Sourcebooks Landmark for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley, As always, these are my candid thoughts!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Laurie Blake for this advanced copy.
3.5 stars
This Jury is Guilty is a locked room legal mystery covering a Hollywood murder trial. The case takes the media by storm; Danny Scott, a famed actor, is accused for hiring someone to murder his wife, Hope Harrison, herself being a famous actress. But as we follow our jurors, we realize each has their own motive, and that another murder may come next. The narrative unfolds through short chapters for the jurors, news anchor segments, and transcripts from the trial.
The twelve sequestered jurors are to decide Danny as guilty or not after listening to the prosecution and defense share evidence. Though the backstories of the members start to come forth, showing us that it was not a random jury selection. We have Dee McCallister, who is risking everything to keep her alias hidden, the elderly Franny Davis, and the obsessed alternate Michelle Washington. Through each, it becomes obvious that Danny has created enemies going back decades. But how can they get the verdict they want if each has a plot of their own?
This novel read quick, propelled by the brief chapters and character rotation. The case itself, with the Hollywood couple, was kept brief. The courtroom witness interviews felt rushed, and the legal elements largely skimmed over. Instead, focus is delegated to building the desire for revenge from our key characters. I found the setup of the story to be effective. Rotating from characters made everyone feel suspicious, almost like we could not trust anyone. The cast was at first a bit overwhelming, though once our key figures were established about halfway in, it was easier to keep track. I do wish there was more from the mixed media elements, perhaps more newspaper clippings or information from the trial to better build the case.
In some ways, the book was reminiscent of some of John Grisham's legal thrillers. It did share his fast-paced building of a trial. However, This Jury Is Guilty was more of a simplified version. We do get depth built on a few characters, but the larger scope was not well developed. Laurie Blake relied heavily on withholding information to build suspense, something that was somehow both intriguing and frustrating. Overall, I found the read tense and quick. It did not have one specific twist, rather a drawing out of motives.
3.5 stars
This Jury is Guilty is a locked room legal mystery covering a Hollywood murder trial. The case takes the media by storm; Danny Scott, a famed actor, is accused for hiring someone to murder his wife, Hope Harrison, herself being a famous actress. But as we follow our jurors, we realize each has their own motive, and that another murder may come next. The narrative unfolds through short chapters for the jurors, news anchor segments, and transcripts from the trial.
The twelve sequestered jurors are to decide Danny as guilty or not after listening to the prosecution and defense share evidence. Though the backstories of the members start to come forth, showing us that it was not a random jury selection. We have Dee McCallister, who is risking everything to keep her alias hidden, the elderly Franny Davis, and the obsessed alternate Michelle Washington. Through each, it becomes obvious that Danny has created enemies going back decades. But how can they get the verdict they want if each has a plot of their own?
This novel read quick, propelled by the brief chapters and character rotation. The case itself, with the Hollywood couple, was kept brief. The courtroom witness interviews felt rushed, and the legal elements largely skimmed over. Instead, focus is delegated to building the desire for revenge from our key characters. I found the setup of the story to be effective. Rotating from characters made everyone feel suspicious, almost like we could not trust anyone. The cast was at first a bit overwhelming, though once our key figures were established about halfway in, it was easier to keep track. I do wish there was more from the mixed media elements, perhaps more newspaper clippings or information from the trial to better build the case.
In some ways, the book was reminiscent of some of John Grisham's legal thrillers. It did share his fast-paced building of a trial. However, This Jury Is Guilty was more of a simplified version. We do get depth built on a few characters, but the larger scope was not well developed. Laurie Blake relied heavily on withholding information to build suspense, something that was somehow both intriguing and frustrating. Overall, I found the read tense and quick. It did not have one specific twist, rather a drawing out of motives.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A disgruntled Hollywood couple caught up in scandal. Did the defendant hire a friend to kill his wife? Or is she framing them all? Told from the POV of the 12 jurors and 2 alternatives, this was an outstanding debut legal thriller! It has excellent pacing, interesting characters, and added snippets of news coverage and court transcripts, which make you feel more immersed in every step on the case.
It soon becomes clear that the jury members all have ulterior motives, so this book kept me on the edge of my seat! I constantly questioned who could be trusted, with multiple red herrings and cleverly disguised intentions at every turn. This thriller is also ultimately about less than what's going on in the courtroom, and more about the jurors themselves. Their secrets, their motives, their backgrounds - some faked and hidden identities. They have all clawed their way onto this jury to ensure justice is served as they see fit!
Also, as in real life, this book explores how the meaning of "guilt" or "innocence" is rarely that simple or black and white. Especially with the spectacle of a high profile trial, the court of public opinion is a huge influence, and the support for the defendant swung back and forth in this book as the trial carried on.
Throughout this book, I loved the exploration of the power of female friendships, and how the strength of women using subtle movements and careful planning can be much more effective than loud outbursts and sudden violence. In the debate of the pen vs. the sword, which can accomplish real and meaningful change?
Will the innocent be set free or will justice be served cold, and will all jurors end the trial still alive? Perfect for fans of The Lincoln Lawyer or The Runaway Jury, add this one to your TBR as a MUST READ when it comes out on November 3rd!
Thank you so much to NegGalley and SourceBooks Landmark for this e-ARC! #landmarkpartner
It soon becomes clear that the jury members all have ulterior motives, so this book kept me on the edge of my seat! I constantly questioned who could be trusted, with multiple red herrings and cleverly disguised intentions at every turn. This thriller is also ultimately about less than what's going on in the courtroom, and more about the jurors themselves. Their secrets, their motives, their backgrounds - some faked and hidden identities. They have all clawed their way onto this jury to ensure justice is served as they see fit!
Also, as in real life, this book explores how the meaning of "guilt" or "innocence" is rarely that simple or black and white. Especially with the spectacle of a high profile trial, the court of public opinion is a huge influence, and the support for the defendant swung back and forth in this book as the trial carried on.
Throughout this book, I loved the exploration of the power of female friendships, and how the strength of women using subtle movements and careful planning can be much more effective than loud outbursts and sudden violence. In the debate of the pen vs. the sword, which can accomplish real and meaningful change?
Will the innocent be set free or will justice be served cold, and will all jurors end the trial still alive? Perfect for fans of The Lincoln Lawyer or The Runaway Jury, add this one to your TBR as a MUST READ when it comes out on November 3rd!
Thank you so much to NegGalley and SourceBooks Landmark for this e-ARC! #landmarkpartner
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
These types of stories are one of my guilty pleasures, I have to admit. Which is weird because I don’t like legal and courtroom thrillers, but every parody, satire, or what have you of the epic Twelve Angry Men always draws me in. This one was no exception, mainly because it’s not stodgy and full of legal jargon – it’s just an entertaining story about the jury behind the court case of a divorcing celebrity couple. Very unsubtle representation of the Johnny Depp/Amber Heard case, so blatant that I kept picturing those two as the characters of Danny and Hope.
Danny’s accused of plotting to have his wife, Hope, killed in a home invasion. The theory is that he paid his friend to break in and do the deed, but she managed to get free and killed the intruder instead. So it’s not so much the events of that night on trial, but the marriage itself and who everyone believes. But this isn’t your average jury, as the reader comes to find out. More than one has their own agenda and will stop at nothing to get what they want. I’m not sure about the believability of the logistics involved with some of the maneuvering they did, so I tried not to dwell on that.
I really couldn’t stop reading, probably because the perspective changes often for the different jurors’ narratives, so even if you dislike one of them, it would soon change to another character. You do have to pay attention if you’re interested in figuring out what each juror is hiding, or you can just take it at face value and be surprised when secrets are revealed. To be clear, this story is primarily about celebrity gossip and moral behavior. A taut legal thriller this is not. But a pleasing tale of justice served cold? Definitely.
My thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
Danny’s accused of plotting to have his wife, Hope, killed in a home invasion. The theory is that he paid his friend to break in and do the deed, but she managed to get free and killed the intruder instead. So it’s not so much the events of that night on trial, but the marriage itself and who everyone believes. But this isn’t your average jury, as the reader comes to find out. More than one has their own agenda and will stop at nothing to get what they want. I’m not sure about the believability of the logistics involved with some of the maneuvering they did, so I tried not to dwell on that.
I really couldn’t stop reading, probably because the perspective changes often for the different jurors’ narratives, so even if you dislike one of them, it would soon change to another character. You do have to pay attention if you’re interested in figuring out what each juror is hiding, or you can just take it at face value and be surprised when secrets are revealed. To be clear, this story is primarily about celebrity gossip and moral behavior. A taut legal thriller this is not. But a pleasing tale of justice served cold? Definitely.
My thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This Jury Is Guilty by Laurie Blake was an interesting debut. I really enjoy legal procedurals and courtroom-type novels, so this one was right up my alley. I especially liked that the story is told from the jury’s perspective, which gave it a different angle than your typical courtroom thriller.
One thing I don’t typically care for is third-person narration, but the writing was strong enough that I was able to overlook it. The book is told through multiple POVs from different members of the jury, and it quickly becomes clear that they all have their own reasons for being on this particular case. The trial involves two famous actors in LA and an attempt by the husband to have his estranged wife killed.
Without getting into spoilers, there are plenty of ulterior motives at play. We get to know Dee, a forty-something single mom of two who sells makeup; Franny, a retired schoolteacher; Rick, an artist... although maybe not quite the artist he claims to be; and Michelle, a successful businesswoman who is Alternate Juror #1. Each character brings something different to the story, and I enjoyed slowly figuring out what was really going on with each of them.
The title is definitely fitting, and it was fun getting to experience the trial from the jury’s side while trying to piece together everyone’s motives. I also thought the book ended well, which is always a plus.
The pacing was a little off in places, and, as I mentioned, third-person narration isn’t my favorite. But overall, I thought this was a solid debut and an entertaining courtroom thriller. If you enjoy legal procedurals, courtroom drama, and stories with plenty of secrets hiding beneath the surface, I think this one is worth giving a try.
One thing I don’t typically care for is third-person narration, but the writing was strong enough that I was able to overlook it. The book is told through multiple POVs from different members of the jury, and it quickly becomes clear that they all have their own reasons for being on this particular case. The trial involves two famous actors in LA and an attempt by the husband to have his estranged wife killed.
Without getting into spoilers, there are plenty of ulterior motives at play. We get to know Dee, a forty-something single mom of two who sells makeup; Franny, a retired schoolteacher; Rick, an artist... although maybe not quite the artist he claims to be; and Michelle, a successful businesswoman who is Alternate Juror #1. Each character brings something different to the story, and I enjoyed slowly figuring out what was really going on with each of them.
The title is definitely fitting, and it was fun getting to experience the trial from the jury’s side while trying to piece together everyone’s motives. I also thought the book ended well, which is always a plus.
The pacing was a little off in places, and, as I mentioned, third-person narration isn’t my favorite. But overall, I thought this was a solid debut and an entertaining courtroom thriller. If you enjoy legal procedurals, courtroom drama, and stories with plenty of secrets hiding beneath the surface, I think this one is worth giving a try.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25/5⭐️ This is a fantastic debut! And I have no one to talk about it with! Definitely a roller coaster of a book; I felt like I was personally being betrayed several times🤣
The author does a great job of unraveling the jurors’ secrets one by one over the course of the novel. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. And once I hit about 50% of the way through, I was reading at the speed of lightening because I NEEDED to know what happened next. The characters are all such intricate, compelling people and I loved reading from the multiple perspectives.
You definitely have to suspend your disbelief over how all of these people conveniently ended up on the jury… but honestly, I read to be entertained, so this wasn’t a huge deal for me. I’m such a sucker for court room dramas. Law and Order: SVU is one of my favorite shows of all time, so I ate the court scenes up and kept connecting it with the *very* minuscule knowledge I have of the justice system.
I think it’s very obvious how similar this book is to a certain real-life celebrity court case also revolving around abuse. I’m glad this one had a better ending. Overall, I think the author does a good job of handling domestic abuse without giving in to stereotypes. I had to keep reminding myself that all the talking points from the defense team were MEANT to infuriate me.
The ending felt slightly rushed to me. I think the reveal at the end and wrapping up the core three characters’ motives and backstory could have been done sooner than it was. It just felt a bit disjointed, like they were the correct puzzle pieces but some of the edges were a bit uneven.
The author does a great job of unraveling the jurors’ secrets one by one over the course of the novel. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. And once I hit about 50% of the way through, I was reading at the speed of lightening because I NEEDED to know what happened next. The characters are all such intricate, compelling people and I loved reading from the multiple perspectives.
You definitely have to suspend your disbelief over how all of these people conveniently ended up on the jury… but honestly, I read to be entertained, so this wasn’t a huge deal for me. I’m such a sucker for court room dramas. Law and Order: SVU is one of my favorite shows of all time, so I ate the court scenes up and kept connecting it with the *very* minuscule knowledge I have of the justice system.
I think it’s very obvious how similar this book is to a certain real-life celebrity court case also revolving around abuse. I’m glad this one had a better ending. Overall, I think the author does a good job of handling domestic abuse without giving in to stereotypes. I had to keep reminding myself that all the talking points from the defense team were MEANT to infuriate me.
The ending felt slightly rushed to me. I think the reveal at the end and wrapping up the core three characters’ motives and backstory could have been done sooner than it was. It just felt a bit disjointed, like they were the correct puzzle pieces but some of the edges were a bit uneven.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Source Books for the advanced reader copy. This is my first ARC, and I am grateful for the opportunity to read this legal thriller novel.
I enjoyed the book very much, and it was a very cozy night-time read. It successfully mixed the jury drama of 12 Angry Men and the in-court shenanigans of The Lincoln Lawyer. There are multiple twists and reveals, with some jurors teaming up and others forming rivalries. Each person on the jurors we follow has their own reasons for why they're so invested in the case, and Blake does a good job with each of their motivations, as well as the slow burn reveal of why they feel that way.
There were a few non-US terms used, like air con and not the terms air conditioning or AC. It wasn't enough to take me out of the story, but they definitely made me raise my eyebrows a few times. Also, I think personally that Michelle's motivations were the weakest of the four. With what the story tells us about Danny Scott, and what he did to other people in the past, there should have been something worse that he did to warrant the actions Michelle carries out.
Overall it was a very entertaining read, and the book made me feel the emotions I feel like I was supposed to. I liked the characters I was supposed to like. I hated the characters I was supposed to hate. I felt empathy, disgust, pity, joy, and shock at the expected times. I also like how the ending opens the door for more with these characters, which I would actually be interested in reading about.
I enjoyed the book very much, and it was a very cozy night-time read. It successfully mixed the jury drama of 12 Angry Men and the in-court shenanigans of The Lincoln Lawyer. There are multiple twists and reveals, with some jurors teaming up and others forming rivalries. Each person on the jurors we follow has their own reasons for why they're so invested in the case, and Blake does a good job with each of their motivations, as well as the slow burn reveal of why they feel that way.
There were a few non-US terms used, like air con and not the terms air conditioning or AC. It wasn't enough to take me out of the story, but they definitely made me raise my eyebrows a few times. Also, I think personally that Michelle's motivations were the weakest of the four. With what the story tells us about Danny Scott, and what he did to other people in the past, there should have been something worse that he did to warrant the actions Michelle carries out.
Overall it was a very entertaining read, and the book made me feel the emotions I feel like I was supposed to. I liked the characters I was supposed to like. I hated the characters I was supposed to hate. I felt empathy, disgust, pity, joy, and shock at the expected times. I also like how the ending opens the door for more with these characters, which I would actually be interested in reading about.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️ 5 / 5 stars
I absolutely loved this one. This Jury Is Guilty follows twelve jurors deciding the fate of a Hollywood star on trial... except almost none of them are as neutral as they're supposed to be. Several have their own hidden ties to the people involved, and everyone is hiding something. The locked-room setup does a lot of heavy lifting here, and it works: with the jurors stuck together and unable to leave, the tension builds naturally and never lets up. The mixed-media format keeps things engaging: some chapters read like local news coverage, others alternate between jurors' present-day deliberations and their pasts, and others drop you right into the courtroom.
This is genuinely one of those books that stuck with me outside of reading time. I found myself thinking about it throughout the day and looking forward to picking it back up once my kid was in bed. I'll admit I almost regret not saving it for my book club. The layered secrets and morally messy characters would make for a great discussion. Worth noting there's a trigger warning for domestic violence and emotional abuse, though it's handled through discussion rather than on-page depiction, which kept the story from feeling too heavy.
Fast-paced, twisty, and full of characters you can't quite trust but are rooting for anyway, this is a great pick for fans of locked-room thrillers and courtroom drama with a Hollywood edge. Highly recommended, and in my opinion, a strong contender for best debut of the year.
I absolutely loved this one. This Jury Is Guilty follows twelve jurors deciding the fate of a Hollywood star on trial... except almost none of them are as neutral as they're supposed to be. Several have their own hidden ties to the people involved, and everyone is hiding something. The locked-room setup does a lot of heavy lifting here, and it works: with the jurors stuck together and unable to leave, the tension builds naturally and never lets up. The mixed-media format keeps things engaging: some chapters read like local news coverage, others alternate between jurors' present-day deliberations and their pasts, and others drop you right into the courtroom.
This is genuinely one of those books that stuck with me outside of reading time. I found myself thinking about it throughout the day and looking forward to picking it back up once my kid was in bed. I'll admit I almost regret not saving it for my book club. The layered secrets and morally messy characters would make for a great discussion. Worth noting there's a trigger warning for domestic violence and emotional abuse, though it's handled through discussion rather than on-page depiction, which kept the story from feeling too heavy.
Fast-paced, twisty, and full of characters you can't quite trust but are rooting for anyway, this is a great pick for fans of locked-room thrillers and courtroom drama with a Hollywood edge. Highly recommended, and in my opinion, a strong contender for best debut of the year.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Any well-written legal thriller is a match made in heaven for my very specific tastes as a lifelong fangirl of David E. Kelley legal dramas—from Ally McBeal and Boston Legal to The Lincoln Lawyer. And let's not forget that I've watched Twelve Angry Men at least three times (not counting Jury Duty, which, by the way, is an absolute delight—especially if you're a James Marsden fan).
Anyway, let's get to the real topic.
Imagine one of the most earth-shattering celebrity cases imaginable: a glamorous, picture-perfect couple heads toward divorce. The wife alleges years of abuse. Shortly after she decides to leave, her husband allegedly sends his best friend to murder her. The plan fails. In the struggle, she kills him in what she claims was self-defense.
Now the husband is standing trial, accused of orchestrating the attack.
Are you getting Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie vibes mashed together with the O.J. Simpson trial? Has your curiosity officially been piqued?
If your answer is yes, then clear your schedule—you'll want to dive into this one immediately.
But here's the thing: the mystery doesn't stop with Hollywood's golden couple, Danny and Hope Scott.
Was Danny the controlling husband who couldn't accept that his wife wanted out and sent someone else to do his dirty work? Or is Hope the ultimate femme fatale, a master manipulator hiding behind a self-defense claim while painting her husband as an abuser despite the complete absence of police reports or documented allegations during their marriage?
Nope. That's only the appetizer.
The truly delicious part of this story lies with the jury.
And trust me, these jurors make the trial itself look tame.
There's Dee, who essentially pulls a real-life Chad Powers—complete with prosthetics and bargain-bin leggings—to pose as Franny, a grieving widow in her seventies seeking redemption for her past while quietly plotting murder of her own. Michelle is desperate to become one of the twelve jurors—but how far is she willing to go? Is injuring someone (or worse) a price worth paying to avenge her brother? And then there's Rick, constantly scribbling in his notebook, slipping suspicious notes around, and acting everyone's best friend while simultaneously working behind the scenes.
Everyone on this jury has secrets. Every single one of them carries an agenda. And suddenly, the people responsible for determining truth and justice may be the least objective people in the courtroom.
So the question becomes: Will justice prevail? Or will everyone's carefully laid plans collapse until a sinister Plan B takes center stage?
Grab your popcorn, nachos, and an ice-cold drink. Settle into your favorite chair while the summer heat rages outside, and prepare to cook up theories of your own as twist after twist keeps you turning the pages.
I came incredibly close to giving this one five stars. Unfortunately, the sheer number of POVs and some repetitive sections in the middle slowed the momentum for me. Thankfully, the ending delivered in a big way—satisfying, clever, and neatly wrapped up.
For that reason, this earns a solid four blazing, justice-served stars from me!
Highly recommended for legal thriller fans and anyone who has ever wondered whether the most dangerous people in a courtroom are sitting at the defense table—or in the jury box.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for sharing this highly intriguing legal thriller with me in exchange for my honest opinion, which I greatly appreciate.
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Anyway, let's get to the real topic.
Imagine one of the most earth-shattering celebrity cases imaginable: a glamorous, picture-perfect couple heads toward divorce. The wife alleges years of abuse. Shortly after she decides to leave, her husband allegedly sends his best friend to murder her. The plan fails. In the struggle, she kills him in what she claims was self-defense.
Now the husband is standing trial, accused of orchestrating the attack.
Are you getting Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie vibes mashed together with the O.J. Simpson trial? Has your curiosity officially been piqued?
If your answer is yes, then clear your schedule—you'll want to dive into this one immediately.
But here's the thing: the mystery doesn't stop with Hollywood's golden couple, Danny and Hope Scott.
Was Danny the controlling husband who couldn't accept that his wife wanted out and sent someone else to do his dirty work? Or is Hope the ultimate femme fatale, a master manipulator hiding behind a self-defense claim while painting her husband as an abuser despite the complete absence of police reports or documented allegations during their marriage?
Nope. That's only the appetizer.
The truly delicious part of this story lies with the jury.
And trust me, these jurors make the trial itself look tame.
There's Dee, who essentially pulls a real-life Chad Powers—complete with prosthetics and bargain-bin leggings—to pose as Franny, a grieving widow in her seventies seeking redemption for her past while quietly plotting murder of her own. Michelle is desperate to become one of the twelve jurors—but how far is she willing to go? Is injuring someone (or worse) a price worth paying to avenge her brother? And then there's Rick, constantly scribbling in his notebook, slipping suspicious notes around, and acting everyone's best friend while simultaneously working behind the scenes.
Everyone on this jury has secrets. Every single one of them carries an agenda. And suddenly, the people responsible for determining truth and justice may be the least objective people in the courtroom.
So the question becomes: Will justice prevail? Or will everyone's carefully laid plans collapse until a sinister Plan B takes center stage?
Grab your popcorn, nachos, and an ice-cold drink. Settle into your favorite chair while the summer heat rages outside, and prepare to cook up theories of your own as twist after twist keeps you turning the pages.
I came incredibly close to giving this one five stars. Unfortunately, the sheer number of POVs and some repetitive sections in the middle slowed the momentum for me. Thankfully, the ending delivered in a big way—satisfying, clever, and neatly wrapped up.
For that reason, this earns a solid four blazing, justice-served stars from me!
Highly recommended for legal thriller fans and anyone who has ever wondered whether the most dangerous people in a courtroom are sitting at the defense table—or in the jury box.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for sharing this highly intriguing legal thriller with me in exchange for my honest opinion, which I greatly appreciate.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This Jury Is Guilty by Laurie Blake
Hollywood superstar, Danny Scott, is accused of trying to murder his wife, young actress Hope Harrison. Twelve jurors and two alternates are picked and sequestered and everyone is watching for news of this trial as it prepares and then takes place. The trial of the century has started! We get to know the fourteen people picked and we get to see how well this group does and doesn't get along with each other.
I wasn't sure how well I'd remember these fourteen jurors but found out that they are different enough and written well enough that I had no trouble telling them apart. I also know I'd hate being with most of these people. I can be pretty hermit-y in real life so I'm glad I was able to watch the story unfold through the pages of my e-book. It doesn't take long to realize that almost every juror has some secret or ulterior motive when it comes to what they want to happen to fellow jurors and/or to the verdict in this trial. Not the nicest bunch overall but then most of those on the jury are going to do what they are going to do in a full steam ahead kind of way and they only care what you think of them until they don't need you anymore.
It helped when I sat back and dropped my thoughts of what takes place in the story compared to what could really happen in real life. This story is full of twists and turns in abundance so I just let go of my critical thinking and enjoyed the show. It was a quick read for me because I didn't want to leave the jury hanging (pun!). I enjoyed discussing this story with Jayme and Mary Beth so be sure to see what they think of this very interesting jury and trial.
Expected publication November 3, 2026
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC
Hollywood superstar, Danny Scott, is accused of trying to murder his wife, young actress Hope Harrison. Twelve jurors and two alternates are picked and sequestered and everyone is watching for news of this trial as it prepares and then takes place. The trial of the century has started! We get to know the fourteen people picked and we get to see how well this group does and doesn't get along with each other.
I wasn't sure how well I'd remember these fourteen jurors but found out that they are different enough and written well enough that I had no trouble telling them apart. I also know I'd hate being with most of these people. I can be pretty hermit-y in real life so I'm glad I was able to watch the story unfold through the pages of my e-book. It doesn't take long to realize that almost every juror has some secret or ulterior motive when it comes to what they want to happen to fellow jurors and/or to the verdict in this trial. Not the nicest bunch overall but then most of those on the jury are going to do what they are going to do in a full steam ahead kind of way and they only care what you think of them until they don't need you anymore.
It helped when I sat back and dropped my thoughts of what takes place in the story compared to what could really happen in real life. This story is full of twists and turns in abundance so I just let go of my critical thinking and enjoyed the show. It was a quick read for me because I didn't want to leave the jury hanging (pun!). I enjoyed discussing this story with Jayme and Mary Beth so be sure to see what they think of this very interesting jury and trial.
Expected publication November 3, 2026
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC
July 7, 2026
I work in the judicial branch of a local government, and love nothing more than a legal thriller! I was ecstatic when I received an advance digital copy to review. Thank you so much to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Laurie Blake for the opportunity.
I would describe this book as Runaway Jury meets 12 Angry Men and I loved it.
Danny Scott, actor, is charged with Solicitation to Commit Murder, a crime carrying a maximum sentence of nine years in prison. The prosecution alleges that Danny paid his longtime friend to break into the home of his estranged wife, Hope Harrison, also an actor, and end her life. A jury of his peers are to decide whether he is guilty of this crime, while the court of public opinion has already taken sides.
The panel consists of twelve jurors and two alternates. Each chapter is told from the perspectives of a few of the jurors, with the criminal trial woven between their stories. Some of the jurors went to great lengths to guarantee a voice in the deliberation room. Their stories are told gradually, which kept me interested in learning more about them and their motivations.
I appreciate that Blake presents the entire trial just as the jury experienced it-from opening statements through closing arguments. This approach allows the reader to evaluate the evidence and consider how they would vote if they were a juror.
This was an excellent read that kept me engaged right to the very end. I highly recommend it.
I would describe this book as Runaway Jury meets 12 Angry Men and I loved it.
Danny Scott, actor, is charged with Solicitation to Commit Murder, a crime carrying a maximum sentence of nine years in prison. The prosecution alleges that Danny paid his longtime friend to break into the home of his estranged wife, Hope Harrison, also an actor, and end her life. A jury of his peers are to decide whether he is guilty of this crime, while the court of public opinion has already taken sides.
The panel consists of twelve jurors and two alternates. Each chapter is told from the perspectives of a few of the jurors, with the criminal trial woven between their stories. Some of the jurors went to great lengths to guarantee a voice in the deliberation room. Their stories are told gradually, which kept me interested in learning more about them and their motivations.
I appreciate that Blake presents the entire trial just as the jury experienced it-from opening statements through closing arguments. This approach allows the reader to evaluate the evidence and consider how they would vote if they were a juror.
This was an excellent read that kept me engaged right to the very end. I highly recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Always love finding a debut author to add to my list, and Laurie Blake easily made it. If she writes another book, I’m buying it regardless of the premise. I loved her writing style and complex storytelling.
What appealed to me most was the premise. A jury deciding the fate of a famous actor accused of having his wife murdered, while the jurors themselves are hiding secrets and questionable motives. So good! I also loved the multiple POVs. I do recommend taking some notes on the characters at the beginning. Between 12 jurors, two alternates, the judge, prosecutors, defense and everyone else, there’s a lot to keep straight. It definitely helped me. The strong locked-room feel was my favorite part. Once the jury was sequestered, I was invested. There were secrets, manipulation, questionable motives and some twists I didn’t see coming but still felt believable. And to top it all off, the ending delivered.
A couple things weren’t quite as appealing. It was a wee bit longer than I usually like, and the beginning was slower with so many characters being introduced. But once I got everyone sorted out, it was so engaging that it flew by.
So happy to have another author to add to my auto-buy list! I owe a big thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for the advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
What appealed to me most was the premise. A jury deciding the fate of a famous actor accused of having his wife murdered, while the jurors themselves are hiding secrets and questionable motives. So good! I also loved the multiple POVs. I do recommend taking some notes on the characters at the beginning. Between 12 jurors, two alternates, the judge, prosecutors, defense and everyone else, there’s a lot to keep straight. It definitely helped me. The strong locked-room feel was my favorite part. Once the jury was sequestered, I was invested. There were secrets, manipulation, questionable motives and some twists I didn’t see coming but still felt believable. And to top it all off, the ending delivered.
A couple things weren’t quite as appealing. It was a wee bit longer than I usually like, and the beginning was slower with so many characters being introduced. But once I got everyone sorted out, it was so engaging that it flew by.
So happy to have another author to add to my auto-buy list! I owe a big thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for the advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Advanced Reader Copy accessed through NetGalley*
4.5 stars.
This Jury is Guilty follows the trial of Danny Scott, a movie star accused of hiring his best friend to kill his now ex-wife. The story follows various members of the jury, who each have their own motives behind why they’re on said jury and how they plan to vote on Danny Scott’s fate.
I found this book to be very well-written. A lot of the twists were unexpected, and yet believable. The author does a wonderful job of keeping her plot points just open enough that multiple potential conclusions are possible until she seals the deal.
One critique, however, was the ending to each of the chapters. It felt as though nearly every chapter left off with a similar cliff-hanger like ending. While the goal was to build suspense, it started to become over-done when every single chapter had a similar finish.
Overall, this is a solid psychological thriller. I found myself very invested in the story being told and was even questioning how I’d vote if given a spot on this jury. The plot was intriguing and the twists and turns plausible yet not fully predictable. It’s an excellent book for both new and seasoned thrill seekers alike.
Thank you to NetGalley for access to the Advanced Reader Copy.
4.5 stars.
This Jury is Guilty follows the trial of Danny Scott, a movie star accused of hiring his best friend to kill his now ex-wife. The story follows various members of the jury, who each have their own motives behind why they’re on said jury and how they plan to vote on Danny Scott’s fate.
I found this book to be very well-written. A lot of the twists were unexpected, and yet believable. The author does a wonderful job of keeping her plot points just open enough that multiple potential conclusions are possible until she seals the deal.
One critique, however, was the ending to each of the chapters. It felt as though nearly every chapter left off with a similar cliff-hanger like ending. While the goal was to build suspense, it started to become over-done when every single chapter had a similar finish.
Overall, this is a solid psychological thriller. I found myself very invested in the story being told and was even questioning how I’d vote if given a spot on this jury. The plot was intriguing and the twists and turns plausible yet not fully predictable. It’s an excellent book for both new and seasoned thrill seekers alike.
Thank you to NetGalley for access to the Advanced Reader Copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Laurie Blake, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me the opportunity to read and review before publishing! This is set to release 11/2/2026
Danny Scott, a well known and well loved Hollywood actor, is charged with Solicitation to Commit Murder against his wife. This story follows the trial and 12 jurors who were selected for the trial, and you get a front row seat to how it all plays out!
I am an avid fan of watching court trials so when I came across this book, I was instantly intrigued! The layout of the book consisted of multiple POV’s, flashbacks, etc. it is broken down in sections that consist of The Prosecution (days), the Defense (days), Deliberations and the Verdict. There is a mixed media aspect to it as well. There are “clips” of the trial where you get the real-life interview-style type of questioning you would see in a court trial.
The beginning was a bit slow for me, just as characters are being introduced, and while trying to figure out what is going on, but once the pieces start falling together, it really is hard to put down!
I’ve always wanted to sit on a jury! If you are a fan of watching Criminal Court trials, or ever wanted to be on a jury, this is a great book for you!
Danny Scott, a well known and well loved Hollywood actor, is charged with Solicitation to Commit Murder against his wife. This story follows the trial and 12 jurors who were selected for the trial, and you get a front row seat to how it all plays out!
I am an avid fan of watching court trials so when I came across this book, I was instantly intrigued! The layout of the book consisted of multiple POV’s, flashbacks, etc. it is broken down in sections that consist of The Prosecution (days), the Defense (days), Deliberations and the Verdict. There is a mixed media aspect to it as well. There are “clips” of the trial where you get the real-life interview-style type of questioning you would see in a court trial.
The beginning was a bit slow for me, just as characters are being introduced, and while trying to figure out what is going on, but once the pieces start falling together, it really is hard to put down!
I’ve always wanted to sit on a jury! If you are a fan of watching Criminal Court trials, or ever wanted to be on a jury, this is a great book for you!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An exceptional thriller. The entire book had me gripped with the immaculate pacing. Revealing just enough to have me hooked but each reveal asks more questions than it answers. I also felt like the author followed the perfect amount of stories. On a jury of 12 people there's room to do a lot of side plots or backstory that take away from the main plot and muddle the story, but I felt like every backstory was worth having.
I couldn't figure out the motives throughout the novel because everyone acted like real people. Real people doing things for reasons that may make sense only to them and just for a moment and they can't explain to anyone else. I never figured out how the book was going to go because you can't predict what people under this immense pressure and with outside influences will do. I didn't know how the jury would vote until the foreperson announced it. Up until that very moment it could have gone either way and I would have believed it.
Fantastic writing overall and I would highly recommend this book if you're into thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley, Laurie Blake, and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced e-copy for review.
I couldn't figure out the motives throughout the novel because everyone acted like real people. Real people doing things for reasons that may make sense only to them and just for a moment and they can't explain to anyone else. I never figured out how the book was going to go because you can't predict what people under this immense pressure and with outside influences will do. I didn't know how the jury would vote until the foreperson announced it. Up until that very moment it could have gone either way and I would have believed it.
Fantastic writing overall and I would highly recommend this book if you're into thrillers.
Thank you to NetGalley, Laurie Blake, and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced e-copy for review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Source Books for the advanced reader copy.
3.5 stars
When the twelve jurors, and two alternates, are called to the trial of Danny Scott (accused of trying to murder his wife), they all show up with their own secrets that will drive their verdict decisions. Some are risking their safety, some are trying to get revenge for a loved one, and at least one juror is willing to die to get the right decision.
This was a fun mystery with good reveals along the way. I didn't see where the book was headed by the end, which was great. Many of the large cast of characters blended together, but luckily the plotting and pacing keep the pages turning. My one big issue with the book is that it's clear throughout that the author is not American. There were enough differences in words used in the U.S. versus what's used in the UK (the book is set in L.A. and all but one character is American) that it kept pulling me out of the story. This was definitely a case of editors not thinking about that aspect of the reading experience.
This Jury Is Guilty is out November 3, 2026
3.5 stars
When the twelve jurors, and two alternates, are called to the trial of Danny Scott (accused of trying to murder his wife), they all show up with their own secrets that will drive their verdict decisions. Some are risking their safety, some are trying to get revenge for a loved one, and at least one juror is willing to die to get the right decision.
This was a fun mystery with good reveals along the way. I didn't see where the book was headed by the end, which was great. Many of the large cast of characters blended together, but luckily the plotting and pacing keep the pages turning. My one big issue with the book is that it's clear throughout that the author is not American. There were enough differences in words used in the U.S. versus what's used in the UK (the book is set in L.A. and all but one character is American) that it kept pulling me out of the story. This was definitely a case of editors not thinking about that aspect of the reading experience.
This Jury Is Guilty is out November 3, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Landmark for the free advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
4.25 stars - There are multiple mysteries going on here - there's a trial of an actor accused of hiring someone to kill his wife (reminded me of Dial M for Murder, one of my favorite Hitchcock movies), and then various members of the jury appear to have secrets and possibly ulterior motives. This aspect reminded me of Steve Cavanagh's Thirteen, which I loved.
There is a lot going on here, and it felt a smidge too long, and while I didn't love it quite as much as Cavanagh's jury book, I was absolutely intrigued and sucked in to all the mysteries going on here. I enjoyed the news broadcast updates and select transcripts of what was going on in the courtroom. I liked the focus on the jurors rather than the attorneys, which often seems to be the case in legal thrillers. As an attorney, I had two legal quibbles, but I'm guessing most lay people won't be bothered.
Impressive debut novel and looking forward to more from Blake.
Expected date of publication: November 3, 2026.
4.25 stars - There are multiple mysteries going on here - there's a trial of an actor accused of hiring someone to kill his wife (reminded me of Dial M for Murder, one of my favorite Hitchcock movies), and then various members of the jury appear to have secrets and possibly ulterior motives. This aspect reminded me of Steve Cavanagh's Thirteen, which I loved.
There is a lot going on here, and it felt a smidge too long, and while I didn't love it quite as much as Cavanagh's jury book, I was absolutely intrigued and sucked in to all the mysteries going on here. I enjoyed the news broadcast updates and select transcripts of what was going on in the courtroom. I liked the focus on the jurors rather than the attorneys, which often seems to be the case in legal thrillers. As an attorney, I had two legal quibbles, but I'm guessing most lay people won't be bothered.
Impressive debut novel and looking forward to more from Blake.
Expected date of publication: November 3, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This Jury Is Guilty by Laurie Blake is her debut novel. I will definitely read more by this author. I thought this book was very character-driven, with good twists, and it even made me cry; the story lingered with me long after reading it. The book was hard to put down because it seemed that everyone had a secret or motive, and I wanted to find out what would happen next. I also kept asking myself if some of the things happening in this jury actually happen in the jury room with jurors talking about the case before deliberations.
The pacing is managed well, with each chapter revealing a new layer of mystery. The author's writing is sharp, effortlessly guiding me through the web of lies and manipulation, and the twist kept me on my toes. This Jury Is Guilty entertains and is a thrilling exploration of how easily appearances can deceive and how every person carries their own burdens of guilt.
Overall, this book is a very good read for fans of psychological thrillers and courtroom dramas alike. I would recommend this book.
#ThisJuryIsGuilty #NetGalley @sbkslandmark
The pacing is managed well, with each chapter revealing a new layer of mystery. The author's writing is sharp, effortlessly guiding me through the web of lies and manipulation, and the twist kept me on my toes. This Jury Is Guilty entertains and is a thrilling exploration of how easily appearances can deceive and how every person carries their own burdens of guilt.
Overall, this book is a very good read for fans of psychological thrillers and courtroom dramas alike. I would recommend this book.
#ThisJuryIsGuilty #NetGalley @sbkslandmark
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was very impressed by Laurie Blake's debut novel, This Jury Is Guilty.
The premise immediately hooked me, a jury must decide the fate of a famous movie star accused of hiring someone to kill his equally famous estranged wife. But this story is about much more than the trial itself.
The novel follows multiple jury members, each hiding secrets of their own. As the story unfolds, we slowly learn why each person wanted to serve on this particular jury, adding layer upon layer of intrigue. I won't say anything about the ending because it's best experienced without spoilers, but the author did an excellent job weaving everything together and delivering several twists I didn't see coming.
The short chapters and frequent POV changes make this a fast-paced read that is hard to put down. I found myself staying awake long past my bedtime just to finish one more chapter.
A very strong debut, and I'll definitely be looking forward to what Laurie Blake writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
The premise immediately hooked me, a jury must decide the fate of a famous movie star accused of hiring someone to kill his equally famous estranged wife. But this story is about much more than the trial itself.
The novel follows multiple jury members, each hiding secrets of their own. As the story unfolds, we slowly learn why each person wanted to serve on this particular jury, adding layer upon layer of intrigue. I won't say anything about the ending because it's best experienced without spoilers, but the author did an excellent job weaving everything together and delivering several twists I didn't see coming.
The short chapters and frequent POV changes make this a fast-paced read that is hard to put down. I found myself staying awake long past my bedtime just to finish one more chapter.
A very strong debut, and I'll definitely be looking forward to what Laurie Blake writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 12, 2026
- Releases 3 Nov 2026 -
Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebook Landmark publishing, and the author Laurie Blake for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I always enjoy a good courtroom thriller, and “ This Jury Is Guilty” was an entertaining read.
Hollywood actor Danny Scott is accused of hiring a hitman to kill his actress wife, but when the alleged hitman ends up dead instead, the case becomes far more complicated. I loved following the trial and trying to piece together the truth alongside the jury.
For me, the jurors were just as interesting as the case itself. Each brought their own secrets with varying motives, making the jury dynamics fascinating to follow.
The suspense builds well throughout the story, and by the time the verdict was being read, I was completely invested. I was hoping for one final twist to completely blindside me, but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey nonetheless.
If you enjoy legal thrillers with plenty of courtroom drama and suspense, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read.
3.5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebook Landmark publishing, and the author Laurie Blake for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I always enjoy a good courtroom thriller, and “ This Jury Is Guilty” was an entertaining read.
Hollywood actor Danny Scott is accused of hiring a hitman to kill his actress wife, but when the alleged hitman ends up dead instead, the case becomes far more complicated. I loved following the trial and trying to piece together the truth alongside the jury.
For me, the jurors were just as interesting as the case itself. Each brought their own secrets with varying motives, making the jury dynamics fascinating to follow.
The suspense builds well throughout the story, and by the time the verdict was being read, I was completely invested. I was hoping for one final twist to completely blindside me, but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey nonetheless.
If you enjoy legal thrillers with plenty of courtroom drama and suspense, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a read.
3.5 Stars
August 8, 2026
I received this as an ARC in exchange for my honest review, thank you Laurie Blake and Netgalley
This is Laurie's debut novel and it's not bad! It's also not great.
Pros:
I was really excited about the premise of the book. High stakes trial involving Hollywood's "golden couple" but a number of the jury members have secrets.
I enjoyed the different POVs and being able to be inside multiple juror's heads throughout the book.
It was twisty and turny.
Cons:
I understand that this book followed the process that an actual trial would with opening/closing statements, witnesses, deliberations etc but it definitely felt dragged out at times.
It seemed a bit overkill to have basically half the jury with some ulterior motive, and a little TOO unrealistic.
None of the twists and turns were super surprising, but I did think "oh, that's not exactly what I was expecting" just no jaw dropping moments for me.
The writing style itself was fine, but unfortunately this isn't a book that will live rent free in my head.
This is Laurie's debut novel and it's not bad! It's also not great.
Pros:
I was really excited about the premise of the book. High stakes trial involving Hollywood's "golden couple" but a number of the jury members have secrets.
I enjoyed the different POVs and being able to be inside multiple juror's heads throughout the book.
It was twisty and turny.
Cons:
I understand that this book followed the process that an actual trial would with opening/closing statements, witnesses, deliberations etc but it definitely felt dragged out at times.
It seemed a bit overkill to have basically half the jury with some ulterior motive, and a little TOO unrealistic.
None of the twists and turns were super surprising, but I did think "oh, that's not exactly what I was expecting" just no jaw dropping moments for me.
The writing style itself was fine, but unfortunately this isn't a book that will live rent free in my head.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thankyou NetGalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for the arc!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really enjoyed this book! I loved the multiple POVs and the way the story switched between the different jury members, news articles, and the actual court proceedings. It made the story feel dynamic and kept me curious about what was going to happen next.
I also found the courtroom setting especially interesting because the way a trial works in this book is quite different from what I’m used to where I’m from. That made the whole jury process really interesting to read about and added something extra to the story for me.
I liked getting different perspectives from the jury members and slowly putting all the pieces together. The different formats worked well and kept the story moving, although I did find it a little confusing at times with all the different POVs and information to keep track of.
Overall, I thought it was an entertaining and engaging courtroom thriller. I enjoyed trying to figure out what was really going on, and I definitely didn’t see everything coming. A solid 4-star read for me!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really enjoyed this book! I loved the multiple POVs and the way the story switched between the different jury members, news articles, and the actual court proceedings. It made the story feel dynamic and kept me curious about what was going to happen next.
I also found the courtroom setting especially interesting because the way a trial works in this book is quite different from what I’m used to where I’m from. That made the whole jury process really interesting to read about and added something extra to the story for me.
I liked getting different perspectives from the jury members and slowly putting all the pieces together. The different formats worked well and kept the story moving, although I did find it a little confusing at times with all the different POVs and information to keep track of.
Overall, I thought it was an entertaining and engaging courtroom thriller. I enjoyed trying to figure out what was really going on, and I definitely didn’t see everything coming. A solid 4-star read for me!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I picked up The Jury Is Guilty expecting a good legal thriller, and it completely delivered. This was one of those books where every time I thought I knew what was going on, I was proven wrong.
The story moved quickly, and I found myself wanting to squeeze in "just one more chapter" whenever I had a few minutes. There were plenty of twists, but they felt believable and fit the story instead of being there just for shock value.
I especially enjoyed the courtroom scenes and trying to piece together the truth along with the characters. Everyone seemed to be hiding something, which made it hard to know who to trust. I changed my mind more than once about how I thought everything would play out.
The ending was satisfying and tied everything together nicely. If you enjoy legal thrillers that keep you guessing, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story moved quickly, and I found myself wanting to squeeze in "just one more chapter" whenever I had a few minutes. There were plenty of twists, but they felt believable and fit the story instead of being there just for shock value.
I especially enjoyed the courtroom scenes and trying to piece together the truth along with the characters. Everyone seemed to be hiding something, which made it hard to know who to trust. I changed my mind more than once about how I thought everything would play out.
The ending was satisfying and tied everything together nicely. If you enjoy legal thrillers that keep you guessing, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was an interesting read. I am a fan of Steve Cavanagh and when I saw the description that this would be for Cavanagh fans, I was intrigued and got a copy from NetGalley.
The book opens with the biggest trial of the century. A murder-for-hire gone wrong. At trial is a famous Hollywood actor accused of hiring his best friend to murder his soon-to-be ex-wife.
The jury is sequestered and we soon learn parts of their motives. Some, not all, are there for nefarious reasons.
Throughout the book we are given the viewpoints of 4 of the jurors. Transcripts from the trial are scattered throughout to also tell the tale of the trial. Gradually, we learn these characters back stories and you think you learn their end goal. As the story progresses, you wonder what each of them will vote during deliberations.
A well-written, kept me guessing book that I enjoyed and read rather quickly.
I look forward to more from this author.
The book opens with the biggest trial of the century. A murder-for-hire gone wrong. At trial is a famous Hollywood actor accused of hiring his best friend to murder his soon-to-be ex-wife.
The jury is sequestered and we soon learn parts of their motives. Some, not all, are there for nefarious reasons.
Throughout the book we are given the viewpoints of 4 of the jurors. Transcripts from the trial are scattered throughout to also tell the tale of the trial. Gradually, we learn these characters back stories and you think you learn their end goal. As the story progresses, you wonder what each of them will vote during deliberations.
A well-written, kept me guessing book that I enjoyed and read rather quickly.
I look forward to more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Where do I even start? This Jury Is Guilty by Laurie Blake had me hooked from the very beginning. The drama, the suspense and the secrets were all there from the first pages, and I loved how the plot slowly unfolded. The secrets were trickled to the reader at exactly the right moments: every time I started wondering what was really going on, a new piece of information appeared.
This book was impossible to put down. It kept me guessing what would happen next, who was hiding which secrets and, most of all, who Dee really was. I was constantly going back and forth, wondering: did he do it or not?
The only thing I missed was a stronger connection to the Hollywood couple at the centre of the story. I would have loved to feel even more attached to them and their relationship. But that did not stop the book from keeping me completely invested.
And that ending? Oh, what a plot twist. A dramatic, suspenseful and addictive thriller that knows exactly how to keep you turning the pages.
This book was impossible to put down. It kept me guessing what would happen next, who was hiding which secrets and, most of all, who Dee really was. I was constantly going back and forth, wondering: did he do it or not?
The only thing I missed was a stronger connection to the Hollywood couple at the centre of the story. I would have loved to feel even more attached to them and their relationship. But that did not stop the book from keeping me completely invested.
And that ending? Oh, what a plot twist. A dramatic, suspenseful and addictive thriller that knows exactly how to keep you turning the pages.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
I was very surprised that this was a debut novel - considering how many characters we had at the center stage, the story was kept rather simple and characters all unique.
I’m usually not the biggest fan of multiple POVs but I thought it worked really well for this novel. At times I wished we learned a tiny bit more of the side characters as they felt rather passive , however, I thought they were still a good addition to drive the story forward.
At a time of femicide cases on the rise, I believe this was a great novel to read; showing that no matter how ‘charming’ a guy is, and how loved they are by the public, doesn’t change the fact the horrible people they are behind the scenes. It also shines a light how quick the public eye is to protect the men and blame the women even with all the evidence pointing towards the men.
Cannot wait to read more from Laurie Blake in the future!
I was very surprised that this was a debut novel - considering how many characters we had at the center stage, the story was kept rather simple and characters all unique.
I’m usually not the biggest fan of multiple POVs but I thought it worked really well for this novel. At times I wished we learned a tiny bit more of the side characters as they felt rather passive , however, I thought they were still a good addition to drive the story forward.
At a time of femicide cases on the rise, I believe this was a great novel to read; showing that no matter how ‘charming’ a guy is, and how loved they are by the public, doesn’t change the fact the horrible people they are behind the scenes. It also shines a light how quick the public eye is to protect the men and blame the women even with all the evidence pointing towards the men.
Cannot wait to read more from Laurie Blake in the future!
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