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Without Prejudice
No One Dreamed Lee Mitchell would ever be a London barrister. Black, working-class, a woman, she has little on her side except determination and intelligence. But she's been practicing law for seven years, building up a reputation. All she needs now is a big, prestigious case. Lee is finally offered a high-profile City trial, defending fast-living financier Clive Omartian who has been arrested for fraud. It's a case any self-respecting barrister would kill for, including her own under-performing Head of Chambers, Giles Townsend, and George Amery, the most vicious defense lawyer at the bar. Lee however is more than a little wary: what's slick, confident Omartian doing with a low-rent, if talented, solicitor like Brendan Donnelly for a start? Her first trial conference confirms her every suspicion: her co-defenders have clearly already formed an alliance against her client. Then Lee receives some startling information that puts the whole case in a different light. Forced to make a decision that could jeopardize not just her career but also the personal safety of those close to her, she realizes she's unwittingly pushed her friend Simone Wilson, victim of a date rape, into a trial that could destroy her. For defending Simone's ex-boyfriend is none other than her new-found enemy George Amery, the most brutally effective rape trial specialist in London.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
February 10, 2021
A near perfect legal thriller, complete with unexpected twists, courtroom drama and a thrilling cast of bad guys. One star dropped for an abrupt ending. The author’s legal background brings authenticity to the small details: the cherry blossom in Temple Inn, the side glances at the lone woman barrister in a crowd of men, the noise and bustle of a South London housing estate. The writing is fast paced and elegant, making this a pleasure to read. It’s a shame there are no more books in the series as Lee Mitchell makes a great heroine. Hopefully Nicola Williams may return to fiction after she retires from what has turned out to be an illustrious career.
June 21, 2021
I really enjoyed this legal thriller, both for its depiction of the challenges of being a black female barrister and for its complex but fascinating plot. While the novel has been recently republished as part of Penguin’s “Black Britain” series, and the main character’s gender and ethnicity is central to the story, the novel’s merits go far beyond its work at diversifying the genre. Rather, William’s novel is a genuinely gripping story, with a strong, complex, black woman as its protagonist.
What I loved most about this novel was the way its plot is largely composed of the understated drama of the courtroom, rather than anything too outwardly dramatic. While there were some quite difficult scenes, including a violent attack and a rape, the true tension takes place in the negotiation between lawyers. Williams does an excellent job of guiding us through the complicated world of a criminal trial, providing plenty of details yet keeping the story largely accessible even to people like me who know nothing about how trials work.
As other reviewers have noted, the book does end quite abruptly, and I was a bit frustrated by the way that things wrapped up, which was simultaneously unsatisfying and too good to be true. Similarly, while the main criminal case was unpredictable and full of genuine tension, the rape case side-plot was not nearly so original. While it added to the book’s discussion of race and gender, it was slightly too on-the-nose and not as well-developed as the rest of the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this re-published book and I hope it finds a much stronger audience this time around. The novel brings a breath of fresh air to a white/male dominated genre, and its complex plot and strong main character make it very much worth our time, even twenty years after its publication.
What I loved most about this novel was the way its plot is largely composed of the understated drama of the courtroom, rather than anything too outwardly dramatic. While there were some quite difficult scenes, including a violent attack and a rape, the true tension takes place in the negotiation between lawyers. Williams does an excellent job of guiding us through the complicated world of a criminal trial, providing plenty of details yet keeping the story largely accessible even to people like me who know nothing about how trials work.
As other reviewers have noted, the book does end quite abruptly, and I was a bit frustrated by the way that things wrapped up, which was simultaneously unsatisfying and too good to be true. Similarly, while the main criminal case was unpredictable and full of genuine tension, the rape case side-plot was not nearly so original. While it added to the book’s discussion of race and gender, it was slightly too on-the-nose and not as well-developed as the rest of the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this re-published book and I hope it finds a much stronger audience this time around. The novel brings a breath of fresh air to a white/male dominated genre, and its complex plot and strong main character make it very much worth our time, even twenty years after its publication.
January 8, 2025
Recommended this by the bookshop clerk and wow yeah ok this is almost a perfect legal thriller. Kept me on my toes!!! Simone’s story hit me like a tonne of bricks, wasn’t expecting that. Throughly recommend!!! Although I was losing track of what was happening near the end (I have no clue about law).
July 11, 2022
My first of the Black Britain: Writing Back series. I think it’s so important that these books have resurfaced and I loved the premise of this book. There are some great simple dialogues about race, gender and class issues explored but sometime the novel fell short for me. I found myself having to re-read some sections to try and find out who did what and there is also a lot of courtroom jargon that just goes straight over my head.
It is a shame that this author has not written more as I think there’s a lot of room for the protagonist to make a return!
It is a shame that this author has not written more as I think there’s a lot of room for the protagonist to make a return!
September 17, 2021
What a book. Gripping story, spent every page trying to guess who was lying, who was doing what. And the real strong examples of clear racism, microagressions, or just that hidden racism, as well as sexism. I know it is a fiction. But the examples are real, you just need to talk to any black woman and they can give you their experience.
June 28, 2022
In 'Without Prejudice', plucky up-and-coming barrister Lee Mitchell takes on a corporate fraud case that may make her career. As the case goes on, it becomes more violent and sinister, and Lee has to work out how she can win it with her personal and professional integrity intact. At the same time, she has to help a friend through a date rape case and navigate the politics of her stuffy, old-fashioned chambers. Themes of the lack of diversity in the legal profession are woven nicely into the story, and are just as relevant today as when the book was written in the late 90s - in fact feels like it was written much more recently. Anyone familiar with the UK Bar will raise a knowing eyebrow or smile at various points, from the quirks of court procedures to the opacity of QC appointments. I was hoping for an ending that featured more of a Rumpole-style takedown of the baddies in court, rather than the (admittedly much more realistic) procedural ending, but overall this is a pacey, punchy read that fans of courtroom and criminal dramas will enjoy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2022
My first purchase from the local independent book store near my university and my first taste of the Black Britain: Writing Back collection (from which I hope to read many more novels).
The book's premise enticed me, I LOVE a good crime story and with the elements of class, race and gender clearly also playing a role in the plot, I just had to read it. Williams crafted some really interesting characters, and there were definitely some moments that left me shocked, but overall my response to the book was...meh.
I felt a bit let down by the end of the book. It seemed there were so many more plotlines to explore and so many more characters that I felt were underdeveloped. I understand that you cannot write detailed life stories for every character and follow their every move without writing thousands of pages, but I found a complete understanding of all of the characters was still slightly outside of my reach by the end. Perhaps this is enjoyable to some readers - it definitely fit Williams' style of storytelling to uphold some mystery - but personally I wanted more. There were too many strands to the story, some felt unnecessary or, as aforementioned, incomplete. Other plot points were built up just to turn out to be disappointing.
Something I will commend Williams for though is her easy-to-read writing. I read both halves of the book across a few hours each on separate days, this owing to the enjoyable plot and likeable characters. I also thought that the mainly covert expressions of classism, racism and sexism by some characters were very well written. The kind of squirm-in-your-seat comments espoused by Giles and George Amery really hit home in exactly the way Williams seems to have intended. Lee was also a greatly likable character. Flawed and relatable - two staples of a great protagonist.
Ultimately, I've given Without Prejudice three stars, not because I found the book boring or the writing bad, but because my final emotions about the book were rather lack-lustre.
The book's premise enticed me, I LOVE a good crime story and with the elements of class, race and gender clearly also playing a role in the plot, I just had to read it. Williams crafted some really interesting characters, and there were definitely some moments that left me shocked, but overall my response to the book was...meh.
I felt a bit let down by the end of the book. It seemed there were so many more plotlines to explore and so many more characters that I felt were underdeveloped. I understand that you cannot write detailed life stories for every character and follow their every move without writing thousands of pages, but I found a complete understanding of all of the characters was still slightly outside of my reach by the end. Perhaps this is enjoyable to some readers - it definitely fit Williams' style of storytelling to uphold some mystery - but personally I wanted more. There were too many strands to the story, some felt unnecessary or, as aforementioned, incomplete. Other plot points were built up just to turn out to be disappointing.
Something I will commend Williams for though is her easy-to-read writing. I read both halves of the book across a few hours each on separate days, this owing to the enjoyable plot and likeable characters. I also thought that the mainly covert expressions of classism, racism and sexism by some characters were very well written. The kind of squirm-in-your-seat comments espoused by Giles and George Amery really hit home in exactly the way Williams seems to have intended. Lee was also a greatly likable character. Flawed and relatable - two staples of a great protagonist.
Ultimately, I've given Without Prejudice three stars, not because I found the book boring or the writing bad, but because my final emotions about the book were rather lack-lustre.
December 13, 2021
"It's a start, isn't it?" "It's a start."Lee Mitchell is a black barrister at Middle Temple Chambers. She's successful, she has an adoring partner, a mother, and a career to fill her void. Yet as she reconnects with a childhood acquaintance, and takes on a complicated but lucrative case defending a crooked rich man, her life becomes overwhelming. CN for drugs, and sexual assault, transphobia.
Had to read this for a uni thing. It was an interesting novel, especially for it's time (written in the late 90s, recently republished to garner more attention and bring forth black british voices). Lee reads as a predecessor to badass black lawyers we know from TV (be it in Suits, Scandal or The Good Fight). There is also a MeToo angle (Simone, Lee's childhood acquaintance, gets sexually assaulted). Comparing it with Michaela Coel's 2020 masterpiece I May Destroy You is an interesting snapshot of days past (and sadly still contemporary reality). The ponzi scheme plot line is intriguing but in my opinion unsatisfying in its resolution. Also, there is a plot point that uses a trans woman for a vile reason (rape revenge) and while deadnaming/misgendering could be excused by the novel's conception context, it still reads off.
Overall, quite entertaining yet slightly drawn out. All the legal-talk might get people hooked, or bore you to death. Typical law prosecution novel but with a black female lead, and nice nuanced takes about race and gender.
March 30, 2021
This was great. A legal thriller involving a fraud trial of a super rich family and a rape trial, all through the eyes of a female black barrister. The characters, the writing and the plot are all top notch. I'm sad it took a reprint under the "Black Britain: Writing Back" label to bring it to my attention (it was written in the 1990s) and also sad to see that it's Williams' only book. Though since the author's a successful barrister herself I can forgive her for finding better things to do than write sequels, especially since this one has taken so long to get attention.
In the absence of more books by this author to read I'll definitely be checking out more of the selections in the Black Britain: Writing Back series.
In the absence of more books by this author to read I'll definitely be checking out more of the selections in the Black Britain: Writing Back series.
February 23, 2021
A gripping legal thriller that I raced through in a weekend. The plot is brilliantly constructed and the characters very compelling, especially the protagonist Lee Mitchell, a Black female barrister who faces prejudice in her professional life due to her race and gender. The novel was originally published in the late 90s but sadly the prejudice faced by Lee and the other black characters in the story are still all too common. Also still pertinent is the prejudicial way people view survivors of rape and rape within relationships which are explored in the novel. Without Prejudice is a good story about things that matter. I loved it.
August 24, 2011
After reading, I was disappointed to realize the author never continued writing about the main character. Lee Mitchell is a Black barrister, and I enjoyed getting to know her through this legal drama. The plot was a bit clunky, as might be expected from a first novel, but most of the characters and the setting were quite engaging - good airplane reading.
March 27, 2021
I think this is a good fun, page turning legal thriller, with engaging enough main characters. I would love to see it as a series / TV show.
Legal thrillers are just not my cup of tea though, too much slightly clunky use of legal jargon and set up scenes of people arguing in perfectly scripted repartee.
Legal thrillers are just not my cup of tea though, too much slightly clunky use of legal jargon and set up scenes of people arguing in perfectly scripted repartee.
March 1, 2021
This was such a disappointment! I like institutional politics, apparently I like British courtroom dramas written by barristers (see also: Rumpole), because the scenes in the courtroom and in conferences with clients, judges, and solicitors were the best bits of this book. They were also objectively good. The twists and turns of the court cases were genuinely unpredictable: Oh, other barrister is a rising star and a publicity hack without scruples? In a predictable book he would end up prosecuting the case against our hero barrister; but in this book they end up working together (sort of) to defend their clients who are all being charged in the same case. That resulted in a very different dramatic tension than I expected. That was great! Instead of having the central trial turn on who makes a better case--prosecution or defense--instead we have a three-way prisoner's dilemma situation. Awesome!
The problem was that every other component of the book was hackneyed and terrible. The writing was clunky. The dialogue was predictable (we even had the following exchange: "how long have you been listening?" "long enough". Good grief). There is a rape trial subplot that plods through all the points of excuses that cause rapists to go free when they are brought to court, without doing anything novel or interesting with the plot point. And with rape, you have to do something pretty damn novel and interesting with it to justify it in a novel, because I am so over using sexual violence as a plot motivator in novels.
To be fair, this book was including rape to make the point rape is badly treated in court because of societal attitudes to pervade juries and the justice system as a whole, which is a little better than let's rape a lady to motivate a dude's character arc, but only a little. And then,Which, to be fair, is a satisfying but did you really need to portray a trans woman as a violent actually-a-man predator in order to do it?
Other revelations also come out of nowhere in ways that are just frustrating. makes it transparently clear that his earlier refusal to come home was just a stupid attempt to ratchet up the tension. Likewise, except if you look at those other scenes where the dialogue makes it seem like it turns out that none of it makes sense So the later revelation that it was exactly what I thought it was was all the more disappointing.
The best parts of this book were the stuff about the law; and the rest of the book was stupid and predictable and badly written. I would happily read other books or stories set solely in the courtroom by this author, but it's pretty clear that she has things to say that are relevant outside the courtroom. And, I agree with the things she has to say, I really do! I'm sympathetic to what she wants to do with this book. But unfortunately, she is not a good enough writer to say these things in ways that I want to read.
The problem was that every other component of the book was hackneyed and terrible. The writing was clunky. The dialogue was predictable (we even had the following exchange: "how long have you been listening?" "long enough". Good grief). There is a rape trial subplot that plods through all the points of excuses that cause rapists to go free when they are brought to court, without doing anything novel or interesting with the plot point. And with rape, you have to do something pretty damn novel and interesting with it to justify it in a novel, because I am so over using sexual violence as a plot motivator in novels.
To be fair, this book was including rape to make the point rape is badly treated in court because of societal attitudes to pervade juries and the justice system as a whole, which is a little better than let's rape a lady to motivate a dude's character arc, but only a little. And then,Which, to be fair, is a satisfying but did you really need to portray a trans woman as a violent actually-a-man predator in order to do it?
Other revelations also come out of nowhere in ways that are just frustrating. makes it transparently clear that his earlier refusal to come home was just a stupid attempt to ratchet up the tension. Likewise, except if you look at those other scenes where the dialogue makes it seem like it turns out that none of it makes sense So the later revelation that it was exactly what I thought it was was all the more disappointing.
The best parts of this book were the stuff about the law; and the rest of the book was stupid and predictable and badly written. I would happily read other books or stories set solely in the courtroom by this author, but it's pretty clear that she has things to say that are relevant outside the courtroom. And, I agree with the things she has to say, I really do! I'm sympathetic to what she wants to do with this book. But unfortunately, she is not a good enough writer to say these things in ways that I want to read.
June 17, 2021
This book was first published in 1998 but has been “rediscovered” as part of the Black Britain: Writing Back series, instigated by Penguin Random House. The aim of the initiative is to rediscover lost writing and correct historic bias in the publishing industry. Lee Mitchell is a black female barrister who takes on a high-profile case defending a financier on charges of fraud. It soon becomes clear that her main opposition may not be the prosecution but may be much closer to home.
This is a fast-paced gripping courtroom drama focusing on the inherent prejudices facing a black barrister. It is a great story with a complex ending. The book is full of detail about the legal profession and the processes within that profession. It is obvious that the author must have some inside knowledge in order to write with such authority about such a complicated subject and the reality is that Nicola is herself a barrister.
Personally I felt that there was a little too much detail about the legal wranglings that must be part of a barrister’s daily routine - I got a bit bogged down by it all after a while. I also found myself having to concentrate very hard to understand the rather complicated plot, harder than I would really have liked when reading a crime novel. Hence the four star rating rather than five.
This book was first published in the 90s but failed to make an impression. Hopefully it does this time round as it is a really good read, especially for those who enjoy a courtroom drama.
This is a fast-paced gripping courtroom drama focusing on the inherent prejudices facing a black barrister. It is a great story with a complex ending. The book is full of detail about the legal profession and the processes within that profession. It is obvious that the author must have some inside knowledge in order to write with such authority about such a complicated subject and the reality is that Nicola is herself a barrister.
Personally I felt that there was a little too much detail about the legal wranglings that must be part of a barrister’s daily routine - I got a bit bogged down by it all after a while. I also found myself having to concentrate very hard to understand the rather complicated plot, harder than I would really have liked when reading a crime novel. Hence the four star rating rather than five.
This book was first published in the 90s but failed to make an impression. Hopefully it does this time round as it is a really good read, especially for those who enjoy a courtroom drama.
Read
September 11, 2021I don’t read a lot of courtroom dramas or legal thrillers, but I love watching them as films, so I thought I would make the effort to read them more regularly. This one seemed like a good candidate since it wasn’t the usual dude in a suit protagonist. Lee is black, unmarried, with a (sexy, so sexy omg, everyone mentions how sexy he is) musician boyfriend, there’s no dramatic focus on her lack of children/wedded bliss to create tension which is refreshing. She’s very good at her job and her client is a smooth talking manipulative scoundrel.
So far so interesting. But it kind of unravels in the final 100 pages. There’s a subplot involving her friend who is raped, the court case that rules in favour of the rapist and… then revenge. Really badly aged, clunky revenge involving a frankly shoehorned in trans character which came out of left field and knocked me sideways. And after that the book just sort of ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.
Hard to recommend on that plot point alone. Disappointing, but I could certainly see it becoming (with some amendments and adaptations) a pacey tv series.
So far so interesting. But it kind of unravels in the final 100 pages. There’s a subplot involving her friend who is raped, the court case that rules in favour of the rapist and… then revenge. Really badly aged, clunky revenge involving a frankly shoehorned in trans character which came out of left field and knocked me sideways. And after that the book just sort of ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.
Hard to recommend on that plot point alone. Disappointing, but I could certainly see it becoming (with some amendments and adaptations) a pacey tv series.
March 15, 2023
Legal and courtroom thrillers are not exactly my go-to genre. But a once-neglected, now rediscovered legal thriller with a black woman protagonist striving to carve out a space in the institutionally racist and sexist UK legal system ... sure, I'll give that a try. Barrister Lee Mitchell is eager at first to work on a high-profile fraud case but it soon turns out that her rich, handsome client presents some dramatic complications. Meanwhile, Simone - a former schoolyard antagonist - comes back into Lee's life and they become unlikely friends. But their new friendship will come under strain after Simone confides that her ex-partner has brutally raped her. This readable and tightly plotted novel avoids neat solutions and uncomplicated endings.
February 27, 2025
Without Prejudice is a part of the ‘Black Writing Penguin’, a series of books published recently that were written by black authors with no way of getting their written works even into the editorial house. The author’s background as a lawyer is brought to light through the detailed and focused vocabulary (British legal system from the point of view of a barrister) and the way it is written (short and direct sentences). Moreover, the plot is really good and brings up issues of the justice system and the underlying corruption in some cases, even in a country which esteems itself to uphold the Rule of Law. However, the ending was slightly rushed… I would love to see this legal thriller adapted into a tv series!
June 23, 2021
I read this book through my Book Club.
I really enjoyed this book. It was an interesting read. An insight into the world of a successful barrister who is female, and black. It also gave a lot of detail into the workings of the court system – maybe too much at times.
The plot was intricate and needed focus, but I felt there wasn’t enough tension in the threat to the characters close to her.
Overall though, it was a good read, and I would recommend it.
June 24, 2021
I thought this book was wonderful, it’s been a long time since I have read a book that I just couldn’t put down.
The story is centred around Lee Mitchell, a female black barrister of extremely high standing who takes on a very high profile case. It takes you through the process of the court system and also the lives of the other characters in the novel. Some who have very low moral values.
I could see a film being made from this book, brilliant read.
August 12, 2025
A transgender character is introduced solely so that she can revenge rape a man who wasn’t convicted for the rape he committed, while his victim watches. Really poor writing and unrealistic dialogue, and very hard to follow if you don’t know the legal system well, plus characters being referred to by both their first and second names in the same paragraph, making it even more difficult to follow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I got caught up in the court room drama and really appreciated the subplots that helped move the story along and allowed the characters to be well defined and developed.
This is the second book I’ve read that is part of the Black Britain: Writing Black series, which aims to correct the historic bias in the publishing industry.
This is the second book I’ve read that is part of the Black Britain: Writing Black series, which aims to correct the historic bias in the publishing industry.
March 3, 2024
I really liked the first part of the book but didn't enjoy the "VIP case" part that much. It was quite predictable and more oriented on the action than the legal part related to the court proceedings. Nevertheless it was quite good, I read it in one sitting - it was a good companion on a 14h long flight.
August 12, 2024
I can’t remember when I last read a book as badly written as this effort. Don’t editors exist any more? We are told the same thing repeatedly, in unoriginal clunky words, the plot takes yonks to get going, and the author wears her own prejudices like a badge of honour.
After 80 pages I had to dump it.
After 80 pages I had to dump it.
October 29, 2024
Another of the Black Britain series curated by Bernadine Evaristo tells the story of a Black woman barrister from a humble background who in 1990's Britain is a fearless criminal advocate who does not fit in with the established whit male order of justice and chambers. The book is essentially a crime story and legal dram and it had me hooked to the very final page.
March 24, 2021
I enjoyed this very much and can see why it was chosen for re-issue as part of this series. The main character is very interesting and her story could be take further I think. There were perhaps a few more plot elements than were needed but I will read more by this author.
June 23, 2021
Read this in two sittings! An original and fast paced legal thriller that felt very authentic and believeable. I loved the twists and turns of the plot. My only slight criticism was that the ending was a bit abrupt, but this didn't detract enough from my enjoyment to give it any less than 5 stars.
December 29, 2021
Taut legal thriller featuring Lee Mitchell, a working class Black British woman barrister. The plot moves along at pace and there’s plenty of race, class and gender politics in evidence. All in all a cracking read but ending a bit of a let down.
April 4, 2022
This book was very entertaining and I loved learning so much about legal proceedings in and out of the courtroom. However the abrupt ending and the ‘Ray’ plot twist were slightly too far fetched for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2022
I really liked the beginning of this book, but I felt there were too many things going on at one point and the ending felt quite underwhelming. Despite this, the writing style was good and the main character a very realistic and likeable woman!
September 23, 2022
I read this after seeing the author talking at the Cheltenham Literature Festival in conversation with Bernadine Evaristo. It sounded like a great book and my interest was immediately captured. Also, the cover design is brilliant. I wasn't disappointed - it was really well written and enjoyable. I was just a little sad that there are no more books by this author, but given that she has had a long and successful legal career this is not surprising!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews