Broken Alibi: Lies, Memory and Justice

The Trials of Sarah Newby #4

by Tim Vicary

How much should you lie for the man you love? Can you really know your ex husband? And how can suicide look like murder?

Just three of the questions which confront barrister Sarah Newby, as she struggles to revive her legal career. Shaken by her second divorce and the murder of her former lover, Sarah wonders if all her relationships with men are doomed. Her admirer, Detective Terry Bateson, hopes not, but what if he, too, has a secret he’d prefer to keep hidden?

And if Sarah’s client is innocent of murder, why has he told such obvious lies?

410 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 12, 2016

About the author

Tim Vicary is an author and a recently retired university teacher from the university of York, England. His legal thrillers about a tough British barrister, Sarah Newby, have been compared to the works of John Grisham and Scott Turow. The second book in the series, A Fatal Verdict, was awarded a B.R.A.G Medallion for an outstanding independent novel, and the third book, Bold Counsel, was awarded the Awesome Indies Seal of Excellence. He is currently writing a fourth book in the series, entitled Broken Alibi.

His four historical novels have also won praise. Nobody's Slave, a novel about the Elizabethan slave trade, won first prize in the young adult category of the Kindle Book awards 2014. His three other historical novels, Cat & Mouse, The Blood Upon the Rose, and The Monmouth Summer, are all available individually or as a boxed set of three, entitled Women of Courage.

Tim has also written about twenty much shorter books, graded readers for foreign learners of English, published by Oxford University Press. In 2010 and 2011 two of these - Titanic and The Everest Story - were each the winners in their category for the Language Learner Literature Award for the Extensive Reading Foundation.

Tim lives in the English countryside, near York. When he's not writing he likes horse-riding, cycling, and swimming.

Reviews

[Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read three books in the Sarah Newby series and each one is better than the previous one. The author not only has created a great plot but he does a masterful job at developing all the books characters, far better than most authors. I recommend the entire series.

[Michellem · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite of the Sarah Newby series. I loved the atmospheric detailed descriptions of York. The characters were well developed and I was eager to find out what would happen with all of them. There were two separate mysteries going on throughout the novel which meant that it was a page turner; I eagerly anticipated every new chapter. The twists and turns were very clever without losing me in complications or becoming predictable. As with the other Sarah Newby books, there is a court case occurring at the same time as the mysteries are being solved. This genre, of court case and simultaneous mystery, reminds me of Jodi Picoult's novels, which I also very much enjoy. I also think readers of 'The Girl on the Train' would enjoy this book.

[Damien Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Sarah Newby book but it won't be my last. You know you've read a good book when you feel there's something missing when you have finished it. I was riveted from chapter one by the characters, the narrative and the atmospheric descriptions of York. You spin a good yarn Tim....more please. Damien Morris

[Tessa Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a series finale, this story delivers emotional closure while still keeping the suspense sharp. Readers who followed Sarah’s journey feel this book gives her character the weight and intensity she deserves.
This story worked because of Sarah. She is not just solving a mystery, she is fighting to keep her life from falling apart. The emotional side of her journey gave the thriller heart, and I felt every bit of her stress and determination.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've now read all four of the Sarah Newby Trials books and I love them. Sarah is a complex character, not always likeable but eminently tough and capable as a barrister, yet just as vulnerable and afraid as most of us would be when faced with something that threatens her family or her safety. The stories are complex too, this fourth book is probably the most complicated plot so far, but if you spot them the clues are there as you read through it. I became increasingly nervous as the story moved towards the final outcome - will it all end OK? No spoilers from me though, if you want to know what happens you'll have to read it yourself!

Just a wee note to the author: in each of the four I have spotted small grammatical errors and in a couple of instances some minor continuity errors and a couple of errors of fact, hence the 4* not 5* rating.

[Georgiana Huizenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and hope that there will be more. Sarah is a flawed but interesting character.

[Bont38 · Rating 5 out of 5]

All 3 books in the series were excellent but Broken Alibi was the best. Kept you in the edge of your seat. I couldn’t put the book down . Would highly recommend

[Dilemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Alibi is a tense, emotionally charged conclusion to The Trials of Sarah Newby series and easily the most psychologically complex entry so far.

The novel opens with Sarah Newby trying to rebuild her life after trauma, only to be pulled into a case where nothing not memory, not loyalty, and not truth can be taken at face value. A client who lies, an ex-husband who may be hiding dangerous secrets, and a death that looks like suicide but refuses to make sense all combine to create a constant sense of unease.

What makes this book particularly effective is how personal the stakes feel. Sarah isn’t just fighting in court; she’s protecting her family, questioning her own judgment, and struggling to stay grounded as the pressure mounts. The investigation unfolds in unexpected ways, and the revelation that the key to the case lies outside the courtroom is handled cleverly and convincingly.

The pacing is excellent, with layered twists that feel earned rather than gimmicky, and the tension builds steadily toward a genuinely satisfying ending. Long-time readers of the series will appreciate how much Sarah has evolved by this point.

Overall, Broken Alibi is a gripping British legal thriller that balances courtroom drama with psychological suspense. A strong finish to the series and a must-read for fans of intelligent, character-driven crime fiction.

[Andi Caissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best one so far!

I’ve read all four of the Sarah Newby series and each has been better than the previous one. Sarah is an English barrister who pulled herself up from humble beginnings through hard work and determination. The main characters are more fully developed in this story, especially her daughter, Emily. After years of dancing around the subject, Sarah and her long-time admirer, DI Terry Bateson have finally started exploring a relationship. I hope there will be more books in this series.

[SAM Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Alibi is another fantastic addition to the Sarah Newby series, filled with twists, intrigue, and emotional depth. Sarah’s struggle to rebuild her career and trust in relationships after personal losses makes her journey feel real and relatable. The case she's handling a man accused of murder despite his obvious lies keeps the tension high throughout, while the questions surrounding truth, memory, and justice add layers of complexity. Vicary nails the balance of legal drama and personal conflict. A gripping read!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Alibi is a tense and emotionally charged legal thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. Tim Vicary expertly plays with memory, truth, and deception, delivering smart twists that constantly shift your assumptions. Sarah Newby faces her toughest personal and professional test yet, and the stakes feel higher than ever. A gripping and satisfying conclusion to the series — easily one of the strongest entries.

[Mikkel Sørensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This felt like the most personal and emotionally layered book in the series. Sarah is not just solving a legal puzzle here, she is trying to hold her own life together while everything around her feels unstable. The way the story weaves memory, lies, and family pressure into the legal case made it feel bigger than a courtroom drama. It is about how fragile truth really is when fear and love are involved. A powerful and fitting installment.

[Grant Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Sarah Newby book and now I need the whole series. The legal side felt smart without being hard to follow, and the emotional side hit just as strong. I loved how the mystery kept shifting, just when I thought I understood what happened, something new came out. The mix of courtroom tension and family drama made it impossible to stop reading.

[Henry Whitfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid legal thriller with strong characters. Sarah feels like a real person, not just a “tough lawyer” stereotype. I especially liked how her personal life kept clashing with her work, it made every decision feel heavier. A couple of plot connections felt unlikely, but the story was so engaging I did not really mind.

[Felix Hartmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This felt like the most intense Sarah Newby book yet. The legal case alone was gripping, but the personal stakes made it even stronger. Watching Sarah balance a lying client, family danger, and her own mental strain gave the story real weight. The twists kept landing, and that final reveal was smart, not forced.

[Alessia Greco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got so attached to Sarah in this one. She is trying to stay strong for everyone while clearly falling apart inside, and that made the whole story hit harder. Defending a client who may not even be honest while her own family is in danger had me stressed right along with her.\
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

[Alva Bergström · Rating 5 out of 5]

What stood out to me most was how human Sarah feels in this book. She is sharp and capable as always, but she is also tired, shaken, and clearly carrying the weight of everything she has been through. That vulnerability adds so much depth. The mystery itself is gripping, but watching Sarah try to protect her family while dealing with a client who is not fully honest is what kept me turning pages.

[Jari Niemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not just a legal thriller, it is a psychological one. The questions about memory and truth run through every part of the story. You think you understand what happened, then one small detail changes everything. I loved how the author shows that the real danger is not always in the courtroom, but in the secrets people carry in their personal lives.

[Ivana Horvat · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a series installment, this feels like a culmination. Sarah’s past, her relationships, and her professional instincts all collide here. The tension is not only about solving the case, but about whether Sarah can keep control when her own world feels uncertain. That balance between legal suspense and personal stakes is handled so well.

[Viktor Petrenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emotional pressure in this story is intense. Sarah is dealing with a lying client, possible danger to her daughter, and unresolved issues from her past. It creates a constant sense that something could fall apart at any moment. The investigation thread with Terry adds another layer, and the way the strands come together is very satisfying.

[Calvin Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

After following Sarah from the beginning, this book hit differently. You can feel everything she has been through sitting just under the surface of every decision she makes. She is still brilliant, still determined, but there is a weariness and emotional caution now that makes her feel incredibly real. This did not feel like just another case, it felt like a turning point in her life.

[Farid Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This installment feels like the emotional culmination of the series. The legal mystery is strong, but what truly stayed with me is how much Sarah’s personal world matters here. Her family, her past, her fears, they all influence how she approaches the case. It shows how much she has grown since Book 1.

[Liora Ravensdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when a series allows its main character to change, and this book does that beautifully. Sarah is no longer just the confident, sharp barrister. She carries emotional scars, doubts, and responsibilities that make every risk feel heavier. That long-term character development is what makes this story so powerful.

[marion berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting read, well written and thought out. Really enjoyed the whole series and hoping for another. Interesting to read a crime novel from a different perspective. The characters were easy to feel involved with and like.

[Lyrica Thornvale · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many twists. And then twists on the twists. I kept telling myself “one more chapter” and suddenly it was very late. The author is great at building doubt around every character. You never feel completely sure who is telling the truth.

[Aidan Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great courtroom scenes and strong pacing. The investigation around what looks like a suicide was the most interesting part for me. It slowly turns into something much bigger and darker. I would definitely read more by this author.

[Lara Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I knew where this was going, I was wrong. Every time the investigation shifted, the story got deeper instead of just more complicated. The mix of courtroom pressure and psychological tension worked so well. Definitely one of those thrillers where you keep saying “just one more chapter.”

[Jonas Kübler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Newby is such a solid character. Strong, intelligent, but also human and worn down in this one. You can feel how much she’s carrying, and it makes every decision feel risky. The mystery around what really happened was layered and satisfying.

[Amelia Rivers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The theme of truth versus memory really stood out. Nothing is simple here, not relationships, not evidence, not motives. That constant uncertainty kept me hooked the whole time. It felt like a smarter kind of thriller, not just action but psychology too.

[Annika Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how the case and Sarah’s personal life ran side by side. The threats around her family added a constant sense of danger in the background. It made the courtroom scenes feel even more urgent. The pacing was tight and hard to put down.