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Peter Tanner Thriller #2
The Burden of Lies
Cocaine. Construction. Corruption.
The unholy trinity of Sydney
Self-made property mogul Tina Leonard has already lost her business, her home and custody of her children because South East Banking Corporation left her bankrupt. Now it appears she is being framed for the murder of her banker Oliver Randall, a senior executive of the corporation. Her motive? Revenge for ruining her life and her business.
When maverick lawyer Peter Tanner is brought in to represent Tina, he bends the law to learn the truth. Was the real killer employed by the bank to silence Randall, who knew too much about their corrupt clientele and business dealings?
As Tanner digs deeper the truth is harder and harder to find. Drug dealers and dodgy cops are a breed apart from corrupt corporate bankers, who’ll do anything to keep their names in the clear.
Who really silenced Randall? Tanner gets more than he bargained for as he tangles with craven bent banks and a client who can't talk, and danger lurks far too close to home.
Bestseller Richard Beasley's latest sharp-edged, gritty Peter Tanner thriller.
The unholy trinity of Sydney
Self-made property mogul Tina Leonard has already lost her business, her home and custody of her children because South East Banking Corporation left her bankrupt. Now it appears she is being framed for the murder of her banker Oliver Randall, a senior executive of the corporation. Her motive? Revenge for ruining her life and her business.
When maverick lawyer Peter Tanner is brought in to represent Tina, he bends the law to learn the truth. Was the real killer employed by the bank to silence Randall, who knew too much about their corrupt clientele and business dealings?
As Tanner digs deeper the truth is harder and harder to find. Drug dealers and dodgy cops are a breed apart from corrupt corporate bankers, who’ll do anything to keep their names in the clear.
Who really silenced Randall? Tanner gets more than he bargained for as he tangles with craven bent banks and a client who can't talk, and danger lurks far too close to home.
Bestseller Richard Beasley's latest sharp-edged, gritty Peter Tanner thriller.
448 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2017
8 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Richard Beasley
6 books27 followersRichard Beasley's first work of non-fiction, Dead in the Water, was published by Allen & Unwin in February 2021. He is the author of five novels: 'The Burden of Lies' (book 2 in the Peter Tanner series) published by Simon & Schuster in December 2017, and 'Cyanide Games' (book 1 in the series, 2016). His previous novels are 'Me and Rory Macbeath', 'The Ambulance Chaser', and 'Hell Has Harbour Views', which was adapted into a telemovie by the ABC and Hilton Cordell productions.
He is a Senior Counsel at the NSW Bar, and was Senior Counsel Assisting the Murray Darling Basin Royal Commission in 2018-19, and Senior Counsel Assisting the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Ruby Princess in 2020.
He is a Senior Counsel at the NSW Bar, and was Senior Counsel Assisting the Murray Darling Basin Royal Commission in 2018-19, and Senior Counsel Assisting the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Ruby Princess in 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 19, 2017
This legal thriller takes a little while to get going but once it does it's fascinating to see how defence lawyers defend those who may/may not be innocent. Architect and property developer Tina Leonard has been accused of hiring a hit man to kill a banker who has just been released after six years in jail for possession of drugs. He believes he was set up to get him away after his involvement after a dodgy deal involving an major development of Tina's that she lost when the bank precipitously called in her loan and sold the the property cheaply to a competitor. Is Tina out to get revenge or is she being set up? Peter Tanner her lawyer must build a case and defend her no matter what he believes.
There are lots of lies on both sides of the fence, both at the time that Tina lost her development and currently. Tanner ducks and weaves his way through liars and unreliable witnesses and sometimes people who tell the truth to build his case. I enjoyed the courtroom scenes and the many twists and turns taken by the case as it unfolds.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Simon & Schuster for a copy of the book to read and review
There are lots of lies on both sides of the fence, both at the time that Tina lost her development and currently. Tanner ducks and weaves his way through liars and unreliable witnesses and sometimes people who tell the truth to build his case. I enjoyed the courtroom scenes and the many twists and turns taken by the case as it unfolds.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Simon & Schuster for a copy of the book to read and review
November 22, 2017
Banker Oliver Randall had it all – a senior executive, he seemed to think he was above the law, but he came undone in spectacular fashion. After five and a half years in prison, he was alone; no job, no family beside him, no money. But it wasn’t long before none of that was important any longer…
Criminal defence lawyer Peter Tanner was brought in to represent Tina Leonard who had lost her business, her children to her ex-husband and her home with the collapse of Oliver Randall – but it was his murder that Tina was being charged with. Tina said she didn’t kill him, but she had motive in spades. As Pete unearthed a society of corruption and drugs, he knew these people would stop at nothing to avoid having the truth exposed.
Would Pete Tanner find the answers he sought? Or were the secrets buried far too deeply? One thing was for sure – he was in intense danger…
I didn’t enjoy The Burden of Lies as much as the first in the series, Cyanide Games by Aussie author Richard Beasley. I’ve never been a huge fan of the legal thriller, and The Burden of Lies is heavily into all aspects of the law as well as being overly wordy in my opinion. I thoroughly enjoy Peter Tanner’s character though, especially as he “bends the rules” – he makes the book! Recommended for fans of legal thrillers – John Grisham comes to mind!
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read and review.
Criminal defence lawyer Peter Tanner was brought in to represent Tina Leonard who had lost her business, her children to her ex-husband and her home with the collapse of Oliver Randall – but it was his murder that Tina was being charged with. Tina said she didn’t kill him, but she had motive in spades. As Pete unearthed a society of corruption and drugs, he knew these people would stop at nothing to avoid having the truth exposed.
Would Pete Tanner find the answers he sought? Or were the secrets buried far too deeply? One thing was for sure – he was in intense danger…
I didn’t enjoy The Burden of Lies as much as the first in the series, Cyanide Games by Aussie author Richard Beasley. I’ve never been a huge fan of the legal thriller, and The Burden of Lies is heavily into all aspects of the law as well as being overly wordy in my opinion. I thoroughly enjoy Peter Tanner’s character though, especially as he “bends the rules” – he makes the book! Recommended for fans of legal thrillers – John Grisham comes to mind!
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read and review.
November 5, 2018
Second book in the Peter Tanner series, THE BURDEN OF LIES follows on from CYANIDE GAMES, which it might be worth reading first. There's a lot of framework construction in the first book that will help with understanding Tanner, his family, his work life and some of the ways that all intersects - good and bad.
This second book revolves around a complicated story of corrupt bankers, drugs, shonky property deals and murder. Self-made property mogel Tina Leonard is on trial for ordering the murder of disgraced ex-banker Oliver Randall. Randall has only recently been released from jail following a major drugs conviction, and when he's found brutally murdered, the police are handed Leonard on a plate by the hired killer who did it. She lost her home, business and kids to the bank that Randall worked for, and his complicity in that, which amounted to fraud as far as Leonard is concerned, seems to be the perfect motive to the police, although Peter Tanner is less convinced.
Perfect timing really to bring out a book centred on nefarious goings on in the banking world. Add to that the possibility of blatant corruption and you've got a plot that is tailor-made for believability. Whilst there was a lot of heavy lifting to get Tanner into investigation mode in the initial book in the series, this one handles that phase with more aplomb. Tanner's role in the legal team being assembled to defend Leonard seems to work a little less clumsily, and his brief of disrupting the prosecution, finding some dirt on the investigation fits nicely. It allows him to segue nicely between digger around outside the court, and asker of tricky questions inside.
Once again the tactical thinking on display in the court room scenes was nicely done, and the connections that Tanner has throughout the legal and criminal world neatly established. It's this area that would make the first novel worth pursuing before commencing here, but if that's not practical, take some elements of Tanner's life, loves and methodologies as read, and press on. A really good choice for fans of legal thrillers in particular, and a good one for fans of general Australian thrillers as well.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
This second book revolves around a complicated story of corrupt bankers, drugs, shonky property deals and murder. Self-made property mogel Tina Leonard is on trial for ordering the murder of disgraced ex-banker Oliver Randall. Randall has only recently been released from jail following a major drugs conviction, and when he's found brutally murdered, the police are handed Leonard on a plate by the hired killer who did it. She lost her home, business and kids to the bank that Randall worked for, and his complicity in that, which amounted to fraud as far as Leonard is concerned, seems to be the perfect motive to the police, although Peter Tanner is less convinced.
Perfect timing really to bring out a book centred on nefarious goings on in the banking world. Add to that the possibility of blatant corruption and you've got a plot that is tailor-made for believability. Whilst there was a lot of heavy lifting to get Tanner into investigation mode in the initial book in the series, this one handles that phase with more aplomb. Tanner's role in the legal team being assembled to defend Leonard seems to work a little less clumsily, and his brief of disrupting the prosecution, finding some dirt on the investigation fits nicely. It allows him to segue nicely between digger around outside the court, and asker of tricky questions inside.
Once again the tactical thinking on display in the court room scenes was nicely done, and the connections that Tanner has throughout the legal and criminal world neatly established. It's this area that would make the first novel worth pursuing before commencing here, but if that's not practical, take some elements of Tanner's life, loves and methodologies as read, and press on. A really good choice for fans of legal thrillers in particular, and a good one for fans of general Australian thrillers as well.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
February 4, 2019
The Burden of Lies is book two in the Peter Tanner Thriller by Richard Beasley. Criminal defence barrister Peter Tanner took on a new case involving a woman Tina Leonard, charged with murdering her banker Oliver Randall. However, the case was not straight forward has Peter Tanner thought at first, and it will affect Peter Tanner's life and believes. The readers of The Burden of Lies will continue to follow Peter Tanner's representation of Tina Leonard to see what happens and will be surprised with the twist at the end of this book.
I enjoyed reading The Burden of Lies. I love Richard Beasley portrayal of his characters and the way they interact with each other. The Burden of Lies was well written and researched by Richard Beasley. I like Richard Beasley descriptions of his settings and the plot of the Burden of Lies that ensure I engaged with the story from the start. I also love that Richard Beasley made the main character a single father.
The readers of The Burden of Lies will learn about the role of Criminal defence barrister in a court case. Also, The Burden of Lies highlights corporate corruptions and how it affects everyone who is involved.
I recommend this book.
I enjoyed reading The Burden of Lies. I love Richard Beasley portrayal of his characters and the way they interact with each other. The Burden of Lies was well written and researched by Richard Beasley. I like Richard Beasley descriptions of his settings and the plot of the Burden of Lies that ensure I engaged with the story from the start. I also love that Richard Beasley made the main character a single father.
The readers of The Burden of Lies will learn about the role of Criminal defence barrister in a court case. Also, The Burden of Lies highlights corporate corruptions and how it affects everyone who is involved.
I recommend this book.
November 20, 2017
Hugely entertaining crime fiction. Tanner is a great protagonist.
November 21, 2017
I quite like legal thrillers, and when a book is set in a city that I'm somewhat familiar with, I get an extra thrill from recognising places and names as I read along. While I haven't read the first Peter Tanner book, I don't feel that detracted in any way from my enjoyment of this one.
Peter Tanner is brought in to represent disgraced property mogul Tina Leonard for the murder of her corrupt banker. There are lots of layers of greed, corruption, drugs and more set in the Sydney dress circle.
I enjoyed reading the main character, he was well rounded and rare; a lawyer with a conscience and honest about his (human) flaws. The fact that he wasn't infallible made him relatable and despite quite a load of backstory and legal jargon, I did enjoy reading this book. There were a few local jokes and wording that had me laughing out loud at some points (perhaps not the intention of the author though!) but I appreciated the local humour.
I will point out that I read this as an electronic copy, and there were quite a few grammatical, spelling and formatting errors that destroyed my reading flow and kept pulling me out of the story. I do hope these get corrected in the final copy.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Peter Tanner is brought in to represent disgraced property mogul Tina Leonard for the murder of her corrupt banker. There are lots of layers of greed, corruption, drugs and more set in the Sydney dress circle.
I enjoyed reading the main character, he was well rounded and rare; a lawyer with a conscience and honest about his (human) flaws. The fact that he wasn't infallible made him relatable and despite quite a load of backstory and legal jargon, I did enjoy reading this book. There were a few local jokes and wording that had me laughing out loud at some points (perhaps not the intention of the author though!) but I appreciated the local humour.
I will point out that I read this as an electronic copy, and there were quite a few grammatical, spelling and formatting errors that destroyed my reading flow and kept pulling me out of the story. I do hope these get corrected in the final copy.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 4, 2017
Set in Sydney, Australia and I absolutely love book set in places I know so that was a great start. Loved the story and the characters. Tanner, a criminal lawyer, is a complex character but so realistic with imperfections galore which makes him so believable.
I love the writing style and some phases where outstanding:
In Chapter 13 - “Her voice was gravel, coated with molasses, tinged with craft beer, finished with chilli.”
In Chapter 17: “The house was built into the steep hill that rose above Balmoral Beach. It was three storeys high, relatively young, and looked pleased with itself.”
It was a pleasure to read.
Tanner’s client has been charged with murder and is defending her in court. The lead up is intense and suspenseful. The court case itself moved surprisingly quickly and again I loved the style of writing following the questioning of witnesses and the legal logic that Tanner presented.
While I have read other criminal law and court room stories this one stood out for me.
Highly recommended read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Simon & Schuster Australia for the opportunity to read and write an honest review of this novel.
I love the writing style and some phases where outstanding:
In Chapter 13 - “Her voice was gravel, coated with molasses, tinged with craft beer, finished with chilli.”
In Chapter 17: “The house was built into the steep hill that rose above Balmoral Beach. It was three storeys high, relatively young, and looked pleased with itself.”
It was a pleasure to read.
Tanner’s client has been charged with murder and is defending her in court. The lead up is intense and suspenseful. The court case itself moved surprisingly quickly and again I loved the style of writing following the questioning of witnesses and the legal logic that Tanner presented.
While I have read other criminal law and court room stories this one stood out for me.
Highly recommended read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Simon & Schuster Australia for the opportunity to read and write an honest review of this novel.
January 12, 2018
I’m not sure how I missed the first Peter Tanner book – Cyanide Games which was released last year. I read one of Richard Beasley’s other novels, Me & Rory Macbeath a couple of years ago and loved it so it’s definitely my loss that I didn’t discover the wonder that is Peter Tanner a year earlier.
Oliver Randall was a banker that had it all – a big salary and a lifestyle “taking care” of big clients that involved parties, girls, coke. When he’s executed six months after serving time in jail, Tina Leonard is charged with orchestrating the crime. Oliver Randall cost her everything – her home, her business, even her children. And it seems the perfect sort of revenge. But Tina claims that Randall was better use to her alive than dead. Peter is called in to represent Tina and it’s his job to present a different truth to the prosecution.
This book had me absolutely hooked from the start. I love Peter – he’s a bit of a loose canon but that’s what I like about him. There’s a scene with him, a hedge fund manager and a cricket bat that might be one of my favourite scenes, maybe ever. Because I haven’t read the first one (yet – I bought it immediately after finishing this and I’ll be catching up asap) I had to piece together a few things, what makes Peter so….well, Peter. He’s definitely got a few self-control issues and he doesn’t play the straight faced lawyer listening to his client’s bullshit. Sometimes he snaps back and when he does….it’s just great. But Peter isn’t all flashy outbursts, there are a lot of sides to him – widower, father, son. I get the feeling that in reading this book, I barely scratched the surface of Peter.
The story was excellent. I don’t know a lot about construction, or banking – or cocaine, I might add. So it was interesting to be caught up in this world, to experience a place where taking out hundreds of millions of dollars in loans is the norm. I can’t say I cared much about the demise of Oliver Randall but I was intrigued by his murder and whether or not Tina Leonard was the culprit, as was claimed by the killer or if she really was a convenient scapegoat for a far larger corporate machine. Beasley did a great job in teasing this out and having us see everything through Peter’s eyes. Sydney is such a fascinating city and provides a great backdrop for this story. There’s a lot of political stuff – greasing palms to get developments through, the idea of boutique vs cheap knock ups, casinos, etc. There’s a lot of money at play here and wherever there’s a lot of money there’s plenty of corruption. I also loved how it was about more than just business – there was a lot of family dynamics driving this story as well. Tina Leonard and her father and brothers have a fantastic backstory, something that adds a lot to her character. There’s also Tina’s sister, her husband as well as Oliver Randall’s ex-wife and their family dynamics too and of course Peter and the relationships he has with his son and his father. Both of those make up a large portion of who he is and I think the reader learns a lot about Peter as a person from those interactions and his thoughts and feelings about his family.
This is a tight, incredibly well written legal thriller that details the process of a court case and the way in which a lawyer goes about presenting an argument to the jury. I enjoyed this, but I will also admit that it made me a bit uncomfortable as well because I couldn’t decide if Tina was guilty or not. I did appreciate getting to read Peter in action because he’s obviously very good at what he does. He’s unorthodox and obviously incredibly frustrating for his opposing counsel but he’s clever and quick and very entertaining. He thinks in really interesting ways, outside of the box but he’s not without morals, despite all the jokes he cracks about the people he’s gotten off charges. I feel as though even he questions the validity of what he does at times, the people that might walk because he’s good at his job, just that little bit better than the other side.
I loved this. One of my favourite reads of this year and I can’t wait to go back and read Cyanide Games. Please let there be more Peter in 2018!
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for the purposes of a review**
Oliver Randall was a banker that had it all – a big salary and a lifestyle “taking care” of big clients that involved parties, girls, coke. When he’s executed six months after serving time in jail, Tina Leonard is charged with orchestrating the crime. Oliver Randall cost her everything – her home, her business, even her children. And it seems the perfect sort of revenge. But Tina claims that Randall was better use to her alive than dead. Peter is called in to represent Tina and it’s his job to present a different truth to the prosecution.
This book had me absolutely hooked from the start. I love Peter – he’s a bit of a loose canon but that’s what I like about him. There’s a scene with him, a hedge fund manager and a cricket bat that might be one of my favourite scenes, maybe ever. Because I haven’t read the first one (yet – I bought it immediately after finishing this and I’ll be catching up asap) I had to piece together a few things, what makes Peter so….well, Peter. He’s definitely got a few self-control issues and he doesn’t play the straight faced lawyer listening to his client’s bullshit. Sometimes he snaps back and when he does….it’s just great. But Peter isn’t all flashy outbursts, there are a lot of sides to him – widower, father, son. I get the feeling that in reading this book, I barely scratched the surface of Peter.
The story was excellent. I don’t know a lot about construction, or banking – or cocaine, I might add. So it was interesting to be caught up in this world, to experience a place where taking out hundreds of millions of dollars in loans is the norm. I can’t say I cared much about the demise of Oliver Randall but I was intrigued by his murder and whether or not Tina Leonard was the culprit, as was claimed by the killer or if she really was a convenient scapegoat for a far larger corporate machine. Beasley did a great job in teasing this out and having us see everything through Peter’s eyes. Sydney is such a fascinating city and provides a great backdrop for this story. There’s a lot of political stuff – greasing palms to get developments through, the idea of boutique vs cheap knock ups, casinos, etc. There’s a lot of money at play here and wherever there’s a lot of money there’s plenty of corruption. I also loved how it was about more than just business – there was a lot of family dynamics driving this story as well. Tina Leonard and her father and brothers have a fantastic backstory, something that adds a lot to her character. There’s also Tina’s sister, her husband as well as Oliver Randall’s ex-wife and their family dynamics too and of course Peter and the relationships he has with his son and his father. Both of those make up a large portion of who he is and I think the reader learns a lot about Peter as a person from those interactions and his thoughts and feelings about his family.
This is a tight, incredibly well written legal thriller that details the process of a court case and the way in which a lawyer goes about presenting an argument to the jury. I enjoyed this, but I will also admit that it made me a bit uncomfortable as well because I couldn’t decide if Tina was guilty or not. I did appreciate getting to read Peter in action because he’s obviously very good at what he does. He’s unorthodox and obviously incredibly frustrating for his opposing counsel but he’s clever and quick and very entertaining. He thinks in really interesting ways, outside of the box but he’s not without morals, despite all the jokes he cracks about the people he’s gotten off charges. I feel as though even he questions the validity of what he does at times, the people that might walk because he’s good at his job, just that little bit better than the other side.
I loved this. One of my favourite reads of this year and I can’t wait to go back and read Cyanide Games. Please let there be more Peter in 2018!
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for the purposes of a review**
October 23, 2017
Haven't read the first Peter Tanner thriller, but that did not detract from my enjoyment of this one.
Engaging plot, this is a very good legal/crime thriller set in Sydney. Peter Tanner is an excellent lead character, a criminal defence lawyer who is a bit of a maverick, but well aware of the failings of the clientele he represents.
Tina Leonard is the property developer who has been sent broke by SEBC bank, and accused of organising a hit on a former SEBC executive as revenge for his role in sending her under.
Definitely worth a read, and I'll look forward to reading more of Peter Tanner.
Engaging plot, this is a very good legal/crime thriller set in Sydney. Peter Tanner is an excellent lead character, a criminal defence lawyer who is a bit of a maverick, but well aware of the failings of the clientele he represents.
Tina Leonard is the property developer who has been sent broke by SEBC bank, and accused of organising a hit on a former SEBC executive as revenge for his role in sending her under.
Definitely worth a read, and I'll look forward to reading more of Peter Tanner.
November 24, 2017
Cocaine. Construction. Corruption. The unholy trinity of Sydney. Bestselling Richard Beasley's latest sharp-edged, gritty Peter Tanner Thriller, The Burden Of Lies.
Self-made property mogul Tina Leonard has already lost her business, her home and custody of her children because South East Banking Corporation left her bankrupt. Now it appears she is being framed for the murder of her banker Oliver Randall, a senior executive of the corporation. Her motive? Revenge for ruining her life and her business.
When maverick lawyer Peter Tanner is brought in to represent Tina, he bends the law to learn the truth. Was the real killer employed by the bank to silence Randall, who knew too much about their corrupt clientele and business dealings?
What did I think of The Burden Of Lies?
You know that feeling when it's been a while since you last visited your favourite restaurant? You're worried that it may have changed, or not live up to expectation, but as you sit at your favourite table and order your favourite meal, you find it's as good as you remember. Well, that's the feeling I got delving into The Burden Of Lies. It's been a long while since I've got into a thriller, and this delivered over and above for me.
Tanner is a great character, and I loved him. A smart, cocky, maverick lawyer, but yet somehow has enough heart and love for his family to stop him becoming irritating. The central and subplots are carefully woven together, and there are a couple of twists and turns along the way as Tanner enlists the help of his legal colleagues and some unscrupulous characters to get to the truth. It's well paced and kept my interest to the last page.
I loved the Sydney setting. The news is full of construction scandals and headlines about deals for Barangaroo, the casinos, and the battle to avoid cheap housing and tower blocks ruining the harbour foreshore. It's a subject that had me hooked and drew parallels between fiction and real construction projects going ahead in the city today. With the recent Commbank money laundering scandal too, it was intriguing to read the blurred lines between big banks and big corporations.
I enjoyed every page of this smart, heavyweight legal thriller which is up there with the best of them. I'll be surprised if the ABC doesn't snap up the TV rights. I cannot wait to meet Tanner again.
The Burden Of Lies is out December 1
Do yourself a favour and get it on back order from Booktopia and have it delivered in time for Christmas!
Self-made property mogul Tina Leonard has already lost her business, her home and custody of her children because South East Banking Corporation left her bankrupt. Now it appears she is being framed for the murder of her banker Oliver Randall, a senior executive of the corporation. Her motive? Revenge for ruining her life and her business.
When maverick lawyer Peter Tanner is brought in to represent Tina, he bends the law to learn the truth. Was the real killer employed by the bank to silence Randall, who knew too much about their corrupt clientele and business dealings?
What did I think of The Burden Of Lies?
You know that feeling when it's been a while since you last visited your favourite restaurant? You're worried that it may have changed, or not live up to expectation, but as you sit at your favourite table and order your favourite meal, you find it's as good as you remember. Well, that's the feeling I got delving into The Burden Of Lies. It's been a long while since I've got into a thriller, and this delivered over and above for me.
Tanner is a great character, and I loved him. A smart, cocky, maverick lawyer, but yet somehow has enough heart and love for his family to stop him becoming irritating. The central and subplots are carefully woven together, and there are a couple of twists and turns along the way as Tanner enlists the help of his legal colleagues and some unscrupulous characters to get to the truth. It's well paced and kept my interest to the last page.
I loved the Sydney setting. The news is full of construction scandals and headlines about deals for Barangaroo, the casinos, and the battle to avoid cheap housing and tower blocks ruining the harbour foreshore. It's a subject that had me hooked and drew parallels between fiction and real construction projects going ahead in the city today. With the recent Commbank money laundering scandal too, it was intriguing to read the blurred lines between big banks and big corporations.
I enjoyed every page of this smart, heavyweight legal thriller which is up there with the best of them. I'll be surprised if the ABC doesn't snap up the TV rights. I cannot wait to meet Tanner again.
The Burden Of Lies is out December 1
Do yourself a favour and get it on back order from Booktopia and have it delivered in time for Christmas!
December 1, 2017
‘I’m looking for all the truth I can get. When I have the pieces, I’ll start on the puzzle.’
Sydney defence lawyer Peter Tanner has been hired to represent Tina Leonard, a self-made property mogul, charged with arranging the murder of Oliver Randall. Oliver Randall, a senior banking executive, had just been released from prison where he had spent more than five years because of a drug conviction. It’s clear who murdered him, but was the murder really arranged by Tina Leonard?
Peter Tanner has some problems of his own to deal with, but he immerses himself in Tina’s case. It’s easy to establish a motive for Oliver Randall’s murder: the bank he worked for had called in loans made to Tina’s company which caused her to lose the business. Tina lost her home as well as her marriage, and the children are with her ex-husband.
So, did Tina pay for Oliver Randall to be killed, or is she being set up? What is the truth behind the business venture which collapsed when the bank called in Tina’s loan? Why did the bank sell the development so cheaply? And, if Tina isn’t guilty, then who else might be?
The more Peter Tanner looks, the more questions he has. Welcome to a world of opportunism and sleaze: questionable property deals, crooked police, corrupt corporate bankers, powerful business people and drug dealers. A world in which some are prepared to do anything at all to avoid the spotlight. Including threats against Peter and his family.
And the truth? Is Tina Leonard innocent?
I enjoyed this novel. While Peter Tanner’s methods are not always orthodox, they are certainly interesting and kept me turning the pages. While the story held my attention, it was Peter Tanner that has me intrigued. I’ve bought a copy of the first novel in the series (‘Cyanide Games’) to find out more about him.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Sydney defence lawyer Peter Tanner has been hired to represent Tina Leonard, a self-made property mogul, charged with arranging the murder of Oliver Randall. Oliver Randall, a senior banking executive, had just been released from prison where he had spent more than five years because of a drug conviction. It’s clear who murdered him, but was the murder really arranged by Tina Leonard?
Peter Tanner has some problems of his own to deal with, but he immerses himself in Tina’s case. It’s easy to establish a motive for Oliver Randall’s murder: the bank he worked for had called in loans made to Tina’s company which caused her to lose the business. Tina lost her home as well as her marriage, and the children are with her ex-husband.
So, did Tina pay for Oliver Randall to be killed, or is she being set up? What is the truth behind the business venture which collapsed when the bank called in Tina’s loan? Why did the bank sell the development so cheaply? And, if Tina isn’t guilty, then who else might be?
The more Peter Tanner looks, the more questions he has. Welcome to a world of opportunism and sleaze: questionable property deals, crooked police, corrupt corporate bankers, powerful business people and drug dealers. A world in which some are prepared to do anything at all to avoid the spotlight. Including threats against Peter and his family.
And the truth? Is Tina Leonard innocent?
I enjoyed this novel. While Peter Tanner’s methods are not always orthodox, they are certainly interesting and kept me turning the pages. While the story held my attention, it was Peter Tanner that has me intrigued. I’ve bought a copy of the first novel in the series (‘Cyanide Games’) to find out more about him.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
November 15, 2017
Firstly, thank you to Simon & Schuster, and author Richard Beasley, for the complimentary copy of “The Burden of Lies”. This is my voluntary review, based on my own unbiased opinion. At first I wondered how I would go about reviewing this, as I am not accustomed to reading this genre of novels. I was pleasantly surprised. Richard Beasley has created a character in Peter Tanner, who is a hardworking and somewhat unorthodox lawyer. Richard will go to incredible lengths to get an innocent verdict for his client who he believes to be innocent. The client, Tina Leonard, may or may not be guilty of murdering her banker who is a Senior Executive of the South East Banking Corporation. The scenario is set in Sydney. Peter Tanner’s defence of his client is truly realistic. As is his protection of his family against the corrupt cops, drug dealers, construction business bosses and standover security men. It makes for a difficult case for Tanner. Which way will it go, guilty or innocent, justice or injustice? Lies are a burden, but the truth will come out. A legal thriller for lovers of this genre, an enjoyable read.
November 7, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy supplied at no charge by the publisher
This is a book about corporate bankers, big business, bent police & drugs.
Peter Tanner is hired by Tina Leonard when she is charged with paying someone to kill an ex senior executive of the bank that provided her building company with loans. Things fall apart when the Global Financial Crisis hits. Oliver Randall (the victim) has just come out of jail for drugs, his initial claim is that he was set up.
Peter has to dig deeply into the corrupt world of big business & bankers as well as the lower end of the spectrum with drug dealers.
Is Tina innocent or guilty? You will have to read & find out. I would comfortably give this book 4 starts out of 5. An enjoyable read made more so in that it is set in Australia.
This is a book about corporate bankers, big business, bent police & drugs.
Peter Tanner is hired by Tina Leonard when she is charged with paying someone to kill an ex senior executive of the bank that provided her building company with loans. Things fall apart when the Global Financial Crisis hits. Oliver Randall (the victim) has just come out of jail for drugs, his initial claim is that he was set up.
Peter has to dig deeply into the corrupt world of big business & bankers as well as the lower end of the spectrum with drug dealers.
Is Tina innocent or guilty? You will have to read & find out. I would comfortably give this book 4 starts out of 5. An enjoyable read made more so in that it is set in Australia.
April 24, 2019
In Cyanide Games we met Peter Tanner, a criminal barrister who was prepared to commit a few crimes in defence of his client. In The Burden of Lies, Peter becomes convinced that his client is innocent, a rarity in his line of work. He spends a great deal of effort trying to find enough smoke and mud to distract the jurors and open the possibility that someone else committed the crime. His work is fruitless in providing a more substantial alternative perpetrator but reveals plenty of motive at large. Beasley has written an excellent example of the work of the criminal bar, both in disillusionment and the nature of the work itself, but it is unsurprisingly unsatisfying for the reader who likes everything wrapped neatly by the end of the show.
October 2, 2018
This is the first Richard Beasley book I have read and I am amazed that I have taken so long to find him. I read voraciously most genres but do like thrillers to break up more serious reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and could barely put it down. I liked the relaxed writing, and felt I almost knew Peter Tanner. I will definitely be reading his earlier works and recommend him, and this particular book to anyone who likes thrillers. I particularly liked the local setting which is refreshing following my reading of Scandinoir thrillers with settings that I don't know and cannot recognise.
January 15, 2018
I'm not usually a fan of courtroom dramas but this legal thriller kept my attention. And the main reason because of the engaging character of the lead, Peter Tanner. He's witty and clever but not one of those hard edged lawyers. There's a warmth to him that cuts through some of the more predicable elements of such books. It's in interesting story of property development and corruption, families and relationships but I'd read another one mainly because of Tanner.
January 16, 2018
Very lucky to have received a copy from net galley - just loved this Sydney based thriller! My review is up on my blog: http://fictionalfix.blogspot.com.au/2...
April 7, 2018
Having enjoyed Peter Tanner in Cyanide Games I read the second book and was not disappointed. I know Sydney as I grew up there so it was fun knowing the places that were referred to throughout the novel... I can see a telemovie in the making ! So long as Nicole Kidman is not in it !
May 7, 2021
Peter Tanner is a very capable crime lawyer. He could defend Tina in a way to introduce her as an innocent person. He knows his job well. I really don’t know whether Randell was deserved to die or not, it is difficult to judge and say what is right.
November 25, 2017
A legal thriller with great pace, a complex plot, and a terrific lead character
December 13, 2017
This is the second I've read in the Peter Tanner series. Like the first, this one didn't disappoint and packed the usual page turning Tanner punch.
February 13, 2018
The Burden of Lies
An interesting story with some colourful characters
I was gifted a copy of this ebook through Netgalley
"I voluntarily state that this is my honest review"
An interesting story with some colourful characters
I was gifted a copy of this ebook through Netgalley
"I voluntarily state that this is my honest review"
January 31, 2018
Got Burdensome
Good start. Tedious after 60 percent way through. Main character was supposed to be smart as and turned into a mega ego pain in the neck. Good try.
Good start. Tedious after 60 percent way through. Main character was supposed to be smart as and turned into a mega ego pain in the neck. Good try.
February 20, 2018
A cynical, amusing - and worrying romp. Good Aussie yarn
March 5, 2018
Peter Tanner has a touch of Rake but with a hell of a lot of class. We want more Peter Tanner please Mr Beasley!
March 28, 2018
A little ho hum. Well written, however I spent most of the book waiting for something to happen that never really eventuates. No twists and turns, a crime novel yes, a thriller no!
May 5, 2018
A great read. Really kept the tension going. Beasley has developed his character "Peter Tanner" well. Looking forward to the next one.
June 22, 2021
Really enjoyed this character and dialogue. Peter Tanner reminds me of Nelson Demille's John Corey.
June 22, 2025
Absolutely Riveting Read
Frankly I couldnt put it down, so well written, and knows his legal world. Kept you guessing the whole way. Cant wait for the next book. I loved it!
Frankly I couldnt put it down, so well written, and knows his legal world. Kept you guessing the whole way. Cant wait for the next book. I loved it!
November 19, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Pete Tanner is a criminal defense lawyer with a conscience, covering a case of greed, corruption, drugs & murder in the heart of Sydney, Australia's wealthiest suburbs.
Pete Tanner is actually a really enjoyable character to read, despite his many cliches. He has a genuine back story, and relatable insights. Not many characters are as well-rounded in this novel.
While billed as a "legal thriller", I would classify it as a "legal drama" at best. It bordered on the long & tedious.
I did a quick test on my spouse, and it was possible to start the novel at the 80% point and still get an understanding of the plot, and roughly the same amount of enjoyment out of it. So the first 3/4 are back story, and filler.
Read this if you enjoy legal novels. I personally find them to be quite formulaic, and as I mentioned the characters can be cliched and predictable. I think Pete Tanner might be a bit of a Gary Stu... quick witted, heart of gold, justice-seeking, handsome & charming, successful in the courtroom & with the ladies... etc
Read if you have a passing interest in banking, law or property development. Having a vague idea of the layout of Sydney will enhance your enjoyment
Pete Tanner is a criminal defense lawyer with a conscience, covering a case of greed, corruption, drugs & murder in the heart of Sydney, Australia's wealthiest suburbs.
Pete Tanner is actually a really enjoyable character to read, despite his many cliches. He has a genuine back story, and relatable insights. Not many characters are as well-rounded in this novel.
While billed as a "legal thriller", I would classify it as a "legal drama" at best. It bordered on the long & tedious.
I did a quick test on my spouse, and it was possible to start the novel at the 80% point and still get an understanding of the plot, and roughly the same amount of enjoyment out of it. So the first 3/4 are back story, and filler.
Read this if you enjoy legal novels. I personally find them to be quite formulaic, and as I mentioned the characters can be cliched and predictable. I think Pete Tanner might be a bit of a Gary Stu... quick witted, heart of gold, justice-seeking, handsome & charming, successful in the courtroom & with the ladies... etc
Read if you have a passing interest in banking, law or property development. Having a vague idea of the layout of Sydney will enhance your enjoyment
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews