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The Simple Truth
A young woman is dead. Her wealthy boss says it was suicide. Who do you believe?
A super rich client needs a favour. You're newly qualified as a lawyer and this could be your big break, so you jump at the chance.
All you have to do is talk to a family, ask them to sign some papers. How difficult could it be? Their daughter was found dead at a beauty spot on the outskirts of London in what you're told was a tragic suicide.
But the truth is never that simple. And this case could cost you your life...
A super rich client needs a favour. You're newly qualified as a lawyer and this could be your big break, so you jump at the chance.
All you have to do is talk to a family, ask them to sign some papers. How difficult could it be? Their daughter was found dead at a beauty spot on the outskirts of London in what you're told was a tragic suicide.
But the truth is never that simple. And this case could cost you your life...
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2022
10 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
July 20, 2022
4 stars
Sometimes bad things happen to good people which proves to be very true here. It all starts when Maria Brennan commits suicide in her car at the empty wetlands of Coldharbour marshes. Lewis Miller, a young ambitious lawyer is tasked by his boss with delivering an NDA and a cheque to an East London Law firm on behalf of the client Robert Carlson, a green energy tech entrepreneur. Why does Carlson want Maria’s family to sign an NDA? What exactly is he worried about? Why does he get an unwelcome reception from her family when he takes flowers to the site at which Maria dies? As for Lewis, is his errand a poison chalice? After all, he is viewed with suspicion by his co-lawyers at the prestigious firm as he is born in the “wrong” area of London and went to the “wrong“ school pulling himself up by his bootstraps. Good for him, I like him already! This well written thriller illuminates two different sides of London, the dark underbelly and those on the corporate side. Two worlds but is there actually much difference when surfaces are scratched? The story is told from several points of view which works well with a storyline that flows.
This is immersive right from the beginning and possibly Lewis might later reflect that drinking from the chalice may have been less painful than stepping on the landmines as he treads a dangerous path and on several toes he maybe wishes he hadn’t! He’s an excellent central protagonist being very likeable and certainly doesn’t deserve the setup he finds himself in. He is smart, has a strong sense of justice and is brave which he has to be.
The pace is fast and I like the style and tone with short, sharp well focused chapters that keep you in the game. There is never a dull moment as we lurch from one situation to another as the mystery builds and intensifies. Some twisty reveals explode your expectations as the answers emerge piecemeal. There are thrills and spills in the plot but it also feels very plausible.
It would be good to see what happens to Lewis next! If you like a well thought out, intelligent thriller then this may fit the bill.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K./Transworld for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Sometimes bad things happen to good people which proves to be very true here. It all starts when Maria Brennan commits suicide in her car at the empty wetlands of Coldharbour marshes. Lewis Miller, a young ambitious lawyer is tasked by his boss with delivering an NDA and a cheque to an East London Law firm on behalf of the client Robert Carlson, a green energy tech entrepreneur. Why does Carlson want Maria’s family to sign an NDA? What exactly is he worried about? Why does he get an unwelcome reception from her family when he takes flowers to the site at which Maria dies? As for Lewis, is his errand a poison chalice? After all, he is viewed with suspicion by his co-lawyers at the prestigious firm as he is born in the “wrong” area of London and went to the “wrong“ school pulling himself up by his bootstraps. Good for him, I like him already! This well written thriller illuminates two different sides of London, the dark underbelly and those on the corporate side. Two worlds but is there actually much difference when surfaces are scratched? The story is told from several points of view which works well with a storyline that flows.
This is immersive right from the beginning and possibly Lewis might later reflect that drinking from the chalice may have been less painful than stepping on the landmines as he treads a dangerous path and on several toes he maybe wishes he hadn’t! He’s an excellent central protagonist being very likeable and certainly doesn’t deserve the setup he finds himself in. He is smart, has a strong sense of justice and is brave which he has to be.
The pace is fast and I like the style and tone with short, sharp well focused chapters that keep you in the game. There is never a dull moment as we lurch from one situation to another as the mystery builds and intensifies. Some twisty reveals explode your expectations as the answers emerge piecemeal. There are thrills and spills in the plot but it also feels very plausible.
It would be good to see what happens to Lewis next! If you like a well thought out, intelligent thriller then this may fit the bill.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K./Transworld for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
November 1, 2022
Aa very wealthy client needs a favour. You're newly qualified as a lawyer and this could be your big break, so you jump at the chance. All you have to do is talk to family, ask them to sign some papers. How difficult could it be? The daughter was found dead at a beauty spot on the outskirts of London in what you're told was a tragic suicide. But the truth is never that simple. And this case could cost you your life.
This is a fast paced, gripping, and twisted read. Is this a case of murder or suicide? The plotline has been well thought out. Ther characters were intriguing, and they all had their parts to play. I was quickly pulled into the story. I loved the authors writing style. There are a few sub stories going on at the same time, but they eventually tie up nicely together. There are quite a few characters to get to grips with. I hope this will turn into a series featuring Lewis Miller.
I would like to thank #Netgalley #RandomHouseUK #TransworldPublishers and the author #JamesBuckler for my ARC of #TheSimpleTruth in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fast paced, gripping, and twisted read. Is this a case of murder or suicide? The plotline has been well thought out. Ther characters were intriguing, and they all had their parts to play. I was quickly pulled into the story. I loved the authors writing style. There are a few sub stories going on at the same time, but they eventually tie up nicely together. There are quite a few characters to get to grips with. I hope this will turn into a series featuring Lewis Miller.
I would like to thank #Netgalley #RandomHouseUK #TransworldPublishers and the author #JamesBuckler for my ARC of #TheSimpleTruth in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2023
3.5 stars
With an ominous prologue of a dog walker finding a body in a car, I was instantly hooked and also suspicious of the note left under the windscreen wiper and what had happened.
𝑩𝑬𝑾𝑨𝑹𝑬. 𝑫𝑶 𝑵𝑶𝑻 𝑶𝑷𝑬𝑵. 𝑪𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑷𝑶𝑳𝑰𝑪𝑬.
It then goes straight to, cuckoo in the nest, lawyer Lewis Miller as he is given a seemingly simple task. Deliver a non disclosure agreement, witness the signature and hand over a cashiers cheque for a very large sum of money. Nothing is ever really that simple though and I was only ten pages in and already questioning. Suicide? She was a scientist but was viewing sites on mixing household cleaners? I am no expert but even I know you don’t mix bleach with other products.
So when the victim’s mother refuses to sign insisting it was murder, Lewis is determined to get to the truth behind Maria’s death. First in his line of sight is his firms biggest client and Maria’s employer Robert Carlson. The man behind the NDA and cheque and also an environmentalist trying to supply green energy. Is it a case of destroy one for the good of the many?
This was a complex legal thriller full of ruthlessly cutthroat characters playing dangerous games. Instead of a fox in the hen house this felt more like a solitary hen had wandered into a foxes den, but that automatically had me rooting for underdog Lewis.
A fast paced character driven book with a likeable protagonist. Appealing to those that like a moral quandary and where the simple truth is that this is anything but simple.
With an ominous prologue of a dog walker finding a body in a car, I was instantly hooked and also suspicious of the note left under the windscreen wiper and what had happened.
𝑩𝑬𝑾𝑨𝑹𝑬. 𝑫𝑶 𝑵𝑶𝑻 𝑶𝑷𝑬𝑵. 𝑪𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑷𝑶𝑳𝑰𝑪𝑬.
It then goes straight to, cuckoo in the nest, lawyer Lewis Miller as he is given a seemingly simple task. Deliver a non disclosure agreement, witness the signature and hand over a cashiers cheque for a very large sum of money. Nothing is ever really that simple though and I was only ten pages in and already questioning. Suicide? She was a scientist but was viewing sites on mixing household cleaners? I am no expert but even I know you don’t mix bleach with other products.
So when the victim’s mother refuses to sign insisting it was murder, Lewis is determined to get to the truth behind Maria’s death. First in his line of sight is his firms biggest client and Maria’s employer Robert Carlson. The man behind the NDA and cheque and also an environmentalist trying to supply green energy. Is it a case of destroy one for the good of the many?
This was a complex legal thriller full of ruthlessly cutthroat characters playing dangerous games. Instead of a fox in the hen house this felt more like a solitary hen had wandered into a foxes den, but that automatically had me rooting for underdog Lewis.
A fast paced character driven book with a likeable protagonist. Appealing to those that like a moral quandary and where the simple truth is that this is anything but simple.
August 29, 2022
A pacy legal thriller that grips throughout with plenty of twists and turns and intriguing characters.
The main protagonist is suitably morally challenged and the mystery element is very well done keeping the narrative unpredictable plus the fast nature of events makes this easily a one sitting read.
A great read overall and hugely enjoyable.
The main protagonist is suitably morally challenged and the mystery element is very well done keeping the narrative unpredictable plus the fast nature of events makes this easily a one sitting read.
A great read overall and hugely enjoyable.
July 23, 2023
✨ "Sometimes bad things happen to good people. There's nothing anyone can do to change that."
I was really drawn to the premise of this book, plus it hooks the reader in with an intriguing opening chapter. The story was enjoyable and kept me turning the pages; I liked the fast pacing, readable writing and short chapters.
However, there's more telling than showing. Several characters felt like under-developed caricatures and there were lots of contrived parts. The plot is not entirely unpredictable either, but I enjoyed how everything turned out to be connected and came together.
I wanted to give this thriller 2 stars because the overall quality isn't fantastic but it was a satisfying and entertaining read on a whole, so 3 stars.
I was really drawn to the premise of this book, plus it hooks the reader in with an intriguing opening chapter. The story was enjoyable and kept me turning the pages; I liked the fast pacing, readable writing and short chapters.
However, there's more telling than showing. Several characters felt like under-developed caricatures and there were lots of contrived parts. The plot is not entirely unpredictable either, but I enjoyed how everything turned out to be connected and came together.
I wanted to give this thriller 2 stars because the overall quality isn't fantastic but it was a satisfying and entertaining read on a whole, so 3 stars.
January 3, 2024
When Lewis Miller is handed a special assignment by the big boss at the City law firm he works at, he thinks he might finally be moving on up in the world. All he has to do is ask a family to sign a non-disclosure agreement and give them a cheque. Failing to accomplish this seemingly simple task would probably spell the end of his career, but seriously, how hard can this be? Something doesn’t feel entirely right, though. The family’s daughter was found dead from an apparent suicide in a beauty spot on the outskirts of London. Lewis isn’t convinced but digging into this case might not just finish off his career before it has well and truly started; it may end up costing him his life.
'The Simple Truth' is told via various points-of-view from a bunch of characters that are obviously somehow connected. Maybe it's due to all of that switching back and forth that I felt the story took a little too long to actually get going. Yet, I remained hopeful about its potential as I tried to figure out the connections before they were revealed to me. Tis indeed true, the truth is rather simple. Despite some red herrings popping up now and again, I really didn't think the ultimate conclusion came as a surprise.
However, through it all is Lewis Miller. Lewis hasn't had the best time so far, but he is determined to get ahead in life and this City law firm job is going to get him there. However, something feels rather icky about the whole Maria Brennan case, leaving a dirty taste in Lewis' mouth and when the lawyer looking after the family's interests dies in a traffic accident, Lewis realises there is a lot more going on than he has been told. After all, there are no coincidences. Suddenly, this precious opportunity his boss has given him is beginning to feel like a poisoned apple, and Lewis is determined to find out the truth about what happened to Maria. Meanwhile other people are just as determined to keep that truth hidden.
Throw in some dirty money and good-for-nothing men, drugs and a bunch of Russians, and maybe worst of all ... lawyers and their rich, privileged clients and you have yourself an enjoyable thriller. So maybe I felt the plot was a tad simple and predictable. And maybe some of the characters were quite cliché and stereotypical. And maybe I expected that little bit more. All in all, I was entertained but I wouldn't exactly call 'The Simple Truth' memorable.
'The Simple Truth' is told via various points-of-view from a bunch of characters that are obviously somehow connected. Maybe it's due to all of that switching back and forth that I felt the story took a little too long to actually get going. Yet, I remained hopeful about its potential as I tried to figure out the connections before they were revealed to me. Tis indeed true, the truth is rather simple. Despite some red herrings popping up now and again, I really didn't think the ultimate conclusion came as a surprise.
However, through it all is Lewis Miller. Lewis hasn't had the best time so far, but he is determined to get ahead in life and this City law firm job is going to get him there. However, something feels rather icky about the whole Maria Brennan case, leaving a dirty taste in Lewis' mouth and when the lawyer looking after the family's interests dies in a traffic accident, Lewis realises there is a lot more going on than he has been told. After all, there are no coincidences. Suddenly, this precious opportunity his boss has given him is beginning to feel like a poisoned apple, and Lewis is determined to find out the truth about what happened to Maria. Meanwhile other people are just as determined to keep that truth hidden.
Throw in some dirty money and good-for-nothing men, drugs and a bunch of Russians, and maybe worst of all ... lawyers and their rich, privileged clients and you have yourself an enjoyable thriller. So maybe I felt the plot was a tad simple and predictable. And maybe some of the characters were quite cliché and stereotypical. And maybe I expected that little bit more. All in all, I was entertained but I wouldn't exactly call 'The Simple Truth' memorable.
December 13, 2022
A solid legal thriller with sympathetic main character ánd a very unsympathetic main character… small surprises, big surprises and a very unexpected ending. The story had all the right ingredients, from the young woman who worked her way up to the young lawyer who basically did the same – and only careful planning prevents the young lawyer from suffering the same fate.
Yes, I could relate to Lewis Miller and therefore I liked the end a lot. It’s an interesting book for a debut too. The fact that it took me more than a week to finish it is because my mind kept wandering and I didn’t have the urge to keep reading. So the three stars is not the book, it’s me. There is nothing really wrong with the book, I just feel it could be more ‘right’.
Thanks to Netgalley for this review copy.
Yes, I could relate to Lewis Miller and therefore I liked the end a lot. It’s an interesting book for a debut too. The fact that it took me more than a week to finish it is because my mind kept wandering and I didn’t have the urge to keep reading. So the three stars is not the book, it’s me. There is nothing really wrong with the book, I just feel it could be more ‘right’.
Thanks to Netgalley for this review copy.
January 5, 2023
Young & ambitious newly qualified lawyer, Lewis Miller, is asked by the head of the company to witness the signing of a Non Disclosure Agreement. Lewis agrees to what seems a simple task but when he arrives at the meeting, he finds out that the NDA relates to the death of a young climate activist named Maria Brennan. Maria had been working for Robert Carlson, an entrepreneur well-known in the green energy technology sector. & was a rising star in his company until she was suddenly sacked. Shortly afterwards her body was found in a car at Coldharbour Marshes, a bird reserve & local conservation area.
The police seem to have deemed Maria's death as self-inflicted, but when Lewis meets her mother at the NDA signing, she is adamant that Maria was killed & asks Lewis to investigate. He is reluctant at first but when he starts to look into the case, he realises that something is not right. His subsequent enquiries take him into the dark heart of dodgy business deals but could the motive for Maria's death have been more personal for Robert Carlson?
I wasn't sure about this one but it turned out to be an interesting, pacy legal thriller. Lewis is a good main character, easy to empathise with as he weighs his hard-worked-for career against what he knows is right. The narrative is told mainly from Lewis's point of view but with various chapters from Robert Carlson, his wife, & Maria's wayward brother. The chapters are fairly short but the storytelling is well done, with some historic strands being woven into the conclusion. I enjoyed reading it.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Random House UK/Transworld Publishers/Bantam Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
The police seem to have deemed Maria's death as self-inflicted, but when Lewis meets her mother at the NDA signing, she is adamant that Maria was killed & asks Lewis to investigate. He is reluctant at first but when he starts to look into the case, he realises that something is not right. His subsequent enquiries take him into the dark heart of dodgy business deals but could the motive for Maria's death have been more personal for Robert Carlson?
I wasn't sure about this one but it turned out to be an interesting, pacy legal thriller. Lewis is a good main character, easy to empathise with as he weighs his hard-worked-for career against what he knows is right. The narrative is told mainly from Lewis's point of view but with various chapters from Robert Carlson, his wife, & Maria's wayward brother. The chapters are fairly short but the storytelling is well done, with some historic strands being woven into the conclusion. I enjoyed reading it.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Random House UK/Transworld Publishers/Bantam Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
November 6, 2022
The Simple Truth is a legal thriller that wriggles in your grasp, dropping hints about exactly how all the pieces relate but not revealing all its secrets until it needs to.
When a young woman’s body is found in her car it appears to be a straightforward case of suicide. Lawyer Lewis Miller is tasked with getting her grieving mother to sign an NDA by the head of his firm, acting on behalf of Maria’s ex-boss Robert Carlson. This in itself seems odd, but as Lewis asks more questions it’s evident that nothing is as simple as it first appeared.
Lewis is challenged throughout to dig deeper. He uncovers a deception that runs deep…and one which allows older scores to be settled.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this.
When a young woman’s body is found in her car it appears to be a straightforward case of suicide. Lawyer Lewis Miller is tasked with getting her grieving mother to sign an NDA by the head of his firm, acting on behalf of Maria’s ex-boss Robert Carlson. This in itself seems odd, but as Lewis asks more questions it’s evident that nothing is as simple as it first appeared.
Lewis is challenged throughout to dig deeper. He uncovers a deception that runs deep…and one which allows older scores to be settled.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this.
January 14, 2023
A dark, twisted and perfectly woven thriller with character connections and twists that will keep you invested right until the end.
Rated down purely because this book wasn’t written specifically for my taste, but if you’re looking for a legal, disturbing thriller with a slow and unfolding pace this one might be for you.
TW: Suicide, torture, murder, graphic scenes, gun and knife violence
Rated down purely because this book wasn’t written specifically for my taste, but if you’re looking for a legal, disturbing thriller with a slow and unfolding pace this one might be for you.
TW: Suicide, torture, murder, graphic scenes, gun and knife violence
June 25, 2023
Wonderful
August 21, 2023
⭐️ 4 ⭐️
The Simple Truth is a well-written, entertaining thriller. Legal thrillers (for me) can sometimes be a bit hit-and-miss (and a bit slow) but I was pulled onboard from the start of this one and invested until the end. The chapters are short and punchy, the pacing is good, and the plot is solid and interesting, which kept me quickly turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next.
The characterisation is excellent, and the cast are well-rounded and relatable — the dialogue between the characters is fluid and always feels natural and never forced.
With plenty of action throughout and a few twists and turns along the way, The Simple Truth is a brilliant read that I’d highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher for my proof copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
The Simple Truth is a well-written, entertaining thriller. Legal thrillers (for me) can sometimes be a bit hit-and-miss (and a bit slow) but I was pulled onboard from the start of this one and invested until the end. The chapters are short and punchy, the pacing is good, and the plot is solid and interesting, which kept me quickly turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next.
The characterisation is excellent, and the cast are well-rounded and relatable — the dialogue between the characters is fluid and always feels natural and never forced.
With plenty of action throughout and a few twists and turns along the way, The Simple Truth is a brilliant read that I’d highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher for my proof copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
August 23, 2022
James Buckler writes a fast paced, action packed, twisted, London based thriller, with short chapters that will have you turning the pages as fast as possible. Maria Brennan was a young gifted climate scientist working at the cutting edge company Ever Sine run by Robert Carlech, a green technology entrepreneur, before being fired. She has been discovered dead close to a beauty spot, Coldharbour Marshes, by a dog walker, apparently a tragic suicide. Lewis Miller is a ambitious lawyer at the exclusive law firm of Renfrew and Hall in the city, he is the outsider from the wrong side of the tracks, unlike the others from their backgrounds of privilege. He is keeping his head down, waiting for his chance to move on up, and when a senior partner, Charlie King, tasks him with closing the Brennan case for their wealthy client, Carlech, he thinks he has finally made it.
All he has to do is meet the family, and their lawyer, Martin Sobel at the Whitechapel Law Centre, deliver a substantial cheque, and get their signature on a NDA document. Simple, right? However, the distraught and grieving mother of Maria, Irina Koval, refuses to accept the money or sign the NDA, despite being urged to do so by her son, Drew. She claims Maria was murdered, something Miller is not convinced of, until his girlfriend, science teacher Rachael, tells him something is not quite right about the death. So Miller makes the fateful decision to investigate, knowing it will bring him trouble from his employer, and without being aware just how much deadly danger he will find himself in. He begins to look into Maria's life and Carlech's plan to establish a groundbreaking hydrogen energy plant, to be built with high level government backing, only to uncover links to Russian oligarchs, and so much more.
Buckler provides a wide cast of characters, the good, the bad, and the very bad. Lewis Miller makes for a sympathetic character, someone who has dragged himself from the depths of poverty through sheer hard work. He feels deeply uncomfortable at Renfrew and Hall, having to dispense all sense of his real self to work there, something which I imagine must be really stressful, and when it comes to it, faced with having to choose between his employers or justice, it's no contest, justice wins. This is a gripping read, an intriguing and suspenseful thriller with engaging multiple plotlines and twists that will appeal to many readers. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
All he has to do is meet the family, and their lawyer, Martin Sobel at the Whitechapel Law Centre, deliver a substantial cheque, and get their signature on a NDA document. Simple, right? However, the distraught and grieving mother of Maria, Irina Koval, refuses to accept the money or sign the NDA, despite being urged to do so by her son, Drew. She claims Maria was murdered, something Miller is not convinced of, until his girlfriend, science teacher Rachael, tells him something is not quite right about the death. So Miller makes the fateful decision to investigate, knowing it will bring him trouble from his employer, and without being aware just how much deadly danger he will find himself in. He begins to look into Maria's life and Carlech's plan to establish a groundbreaking hydrogen energy plant, to be built with high level government backing, only to uncover links to Russian oligarchs, and so much more.
Buckler provides a wide cast of characters, the good, the bad, and the very bad. Lewis Miller makes for a sympathetic character, someone who has dragged himself from the depths of poverty through sheer hard work. He feels deeply uncomfortable at Renfrew and Hall, having to dispense all sense of his real self to work there, something which I imagine must be really stressful, and when it comes to it, faced with having to choose between his employers or justice, it's no contest, justice wins. This is a gripping read, an intriguing and suspenseful thriller with engaging multiple plotlines and twists that will appeal to many readers. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
December 10, 2022
I love legal thrillers, that’s always something so enticing about them to me and I always struggle to put them down, and this one is no exception to that. With an intriguing cast of characters and an incredible plot that moves along at a pace that’s as close to perfection as I’ve ever seen in a legal thriller, coupled with hints scattered throughout to keep your mind working until something is revealed. I love thrillers that make me THINK. Not just trying to solve the murder, but actually think about what’s going on, how things have happened and what’s ahead that I still haven’t got to yet.
A highly enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read more from this author. If you like thrillers/legal thrillers then definitely get preordering for this one!
Thank you to Transworld Books for sending me a proof of this one.
A highly enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read more from this author. If you like thrillers/legal thrillers then definitely get preordering for this one!
Thank you to Transworld Books for sending me a proof of this one.
March 29, 2024
One of the most enjoyable books of 2024. It wasn’t funny or witty but was totally gripping. The law firms + mafia + family dynamics simply worked wonderfully creating a great deal of tension. I got some Godfather + Suits(the show) vibes. The title holds true wrt the main culprit. Nothing spectacular about it. It was indeed so simple that there was a disappointed ‘Oh’ exclamation for a moment but that passed quickly coz everything else including the final reveal was superb.
January 4, 2023
Reading the blurb of this one on NetGalley I was hooked. I had to read this book. When I received an invitation to the blog tour from Anne – it was a sealed deal. While I am new to this author, I raced through this pacing crime thriller. While it slips into the legal genre as well – this book is not very heavy on legal jargon – this book will keep you reading late into the night while you flip pages eager to find out what will happen next.
James Buckler keeps you on the edge of your seat with this story and manages to keep it unpredictable. In the earlier part of the story, I found myself wondering how everything would fit together – at times it felt as if two separate stories were unfolding. Then just as you are convinced there cannot be a connection, the author brings the two strands together and delivers a brilliant ending. I was surprised to learn that this was only his second book. The Simple Truth is brilliantly written and I guarantee you will find yourself completely engrossed when opening this book.
When a young woman is found dead in her car police close the case as a suicide. A young, eager lawyer is asked to have the family sign an NDA – which should be an easy task – Maria’s previous employer does not want any bad media exposure by being linked to her death. However – it is not that easy.
Maria’s family is convinced that she was murdered and refuses to sign anything and when the young lawyer discovers his life is in danger, he is determined to find the truth no matter what the consequences might be.
This book had me racing from page to page, I could not read fast enough. This story is fast-paced and gripping from start to end. I love the surprises along the way and the characters were brilliant.
The author focused the story on characters with principals while throwing them into a world where they are surrounded by people with seriously questionable motives. This made the book extremely entertaining and left you wondering who you should be trusting. I loved the mixed characters in this book.
This is an awesome book to start the new year off. I loved every minute I spent reading this book and I cannot wait to spend more time with this author.
If you enjoy a fast, pacy thriller that will keep you guessing – then this is the book for you. Go ahead and add this one to your TBR, you will not be disappointed. I love this one.
https://featzreviews.com/the-simple-t...
James Buckler keeps you on the edge of your seat with this story and manages to keep it unpredictable. In the earlier part of the story, I found myself wondering how everything would fit together – at times it felt as if two separate stories were unfolding. Then just as you are convinced there cannot be a connection, the author brings the two strands together and delivers a brilliant ending. I was surprised to learn that this was only his second book. The Simple Truth is brilliantly written and I guarantee you will find yourself completely engrossed when opening this book.
When a young woman is found dead in her car police close the case as a suicide. A young, eager lawyer is asked to have the family sign an NDA – which should be an easy task – Maria’s previous employer does not want any bad media exposure by being linked to her death. However – it is not that easy.
Maria’s family is convinced that she was murdered and refuses to sign anything and when the young lawyer discovers his life is in danger, he is determined to find the truth no matter what the consequences might be.
This book had me racing from page to page, I could not read fast enough. This story is fast-paced and gripping from start to end. I love the surprises along the way and the characters were brilliant.
The author focused the story on characters with principals while throwing them into a world where they are surrounded by people with seriously questionable motives. This made the book extremely entertaining and left you wondering who you should be trusting. I loved the mixed characters in this book.
This is an awesome book to start the new year off. I loved every minute I spent reading this book and I cannot wait to spend more time with this author.
If you enjoy a fast, pacy thriller that will keep you guessing – then this is the book for you. Go ahead and add this one to your TBR, you will not be disappointed. I love this one.
https://featzreviews.com/the-simple-t...
December 14, 2025
Amazing book! So many twists and turns, you didn't know what was going to happen next. I love how all the components that seemed disconnected throughout the story all linked together in the end. I did guess the killer but it was still great to see how everything pieced together.
January 14, 2023
I love a legal thriller and this one took a different tack to the usual which was rather refreshing. Lewis Miller is newly qualified; knows he's been lucky to bag a job with a well renowned law firm and is keen to prove his worth to those higher up. He thinks he's got his lucky break when summoned from a meeting by one of the partners; all he has to do is deliver some paperwork to a client and get it signed. Job done. But life's never that clear cut especially in these circles and Lewis soon realises there's more to this case than meets the eye.
He quickly works out that his personal and professional lives are about to collide: he comes from the same deprived area of the city where the client lives. He is acquainted with the people involved. On taking his boss's paperwork for signature and listening to the family's reasons for not going through with the request, Lewis's interest is piqued. But his involvement in this case soon turns into him needing to protect himself - he doesn't even feel safe returning to his own home anymore.
I enjoyed reading about the scrapes Lewis found himself in and the moral dilemma he faced between following his dream of becoming a hot shot lawyer and the real-life people who would be subject to a huge injustice if they were prepared to sign a document in exchange for a life changing sum of money. Which did he want most and which would he be able to live with on his conscience for the rest of his days? Therein lies the test of a man.
A great suspense novel which had me hooked sufficiently to want to pick the book up at every possible opportunity, I look forward to more from this author in the future.
He quickly works out that his personal and professional lives are about to collide: he comes from the same deprived area of the city where the client lives. He is acquainted with the people involved. On taking his boss's paperwork for signature and listening to the family's reasons for not going through with the request, Lewis's interest is piqued. But his involvement in this case soon turns into him needing to protect himself - he doesn't even feel safe returning to his own home anymore.
I enjoyed reading about the scrapes Lewis found himself in and the moral dilemma he faced between following his dream of becoming a hot shot lawyer and the real-life people who would be subject to a huge injustice if they were prepared to sign a document in exchange for a life changing sum of money. Which did he want most and which would he be able to live with on his conscience for the rest of his days? Therein lies the test of a man.
A great suspense novel which had me hooked sufficiently to want to pick the book up at every possible opportunity, I look forward to more from this author in the future.
March 11, 2023
This book starts with a bang with an innocent dog walker finding an apparent suicide victim. The minute the victim's mother is offered money to sign an NDA you know it is not that straightforward.
The story has interesting characters who have worked hard to achieve their positions in life - there are similarities between Lewis and Maria - their backgrounds, their belief in fairness.
The pace is fast and the story is riddled with twists and turns, not all relevant to the main story. Very topical with green energy projects part of the story and the oiling of greasy palms to achieve one's aims.
Would make a good film with all the action.
Three and a half stars for me!
Many thanks to Netgalley/James Buckler/Random House UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
The story has interesting characters who have worked hard to achieve their positions in life - there are similarities between Lewis and Maria - their backgrounds, their belief in fairness.
The pace is fast and the story is riddled with twists and turns, not all relevant to the main story. Very topical with green energy projects part of the story and the oiling of greasy palms to achieve one's aims.
Would make a good film with all the action.
Three and a half stars for me!
Many thanks to Netgalley/James Buckler/Random House UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 31, 2022
The Simple Truth by James Buckler opens with a bang. A dog walker comes across an abandoned car, with a mysterious note attached to the boot, telling whoever finds it not to open it and to call the police.
I have no idea what I would do if I was ever in that situation. Like the person who comes across the car, I think my curiosity would get the better of me, but I would also be extremely wary, and think I would more than likely call the police instead.
Following the discovery we then meet lawyer, Lewis Miller, who is tasked with delivering an NDA to a suspected suicide victim’s family. The body of a young woman, Maria Brennan has been found on Coldharbour Marshes. She was employed by Robert Carlson, a leading environmentalist who has big plans to help secure funding for a project that would provide unlimited green energy for London. But when Lewis Miller goes to see Maria Brennan’s family, it is clear that something more is going on here and Lewis begins to suspect that Maria was murdered.
Lewis Miller is easy to like. You might think that, as a lawyer, he would just want to get the job he has been sent out to do done, and be paid, but that isn’t who Lewis is at all. He is determined to get the truth for Maria and her family, especially when Maria’s mother refuses to accept the NDA.
I was really intrigued by what happened to Maria and who could be responsible for her death if Lewis was right and she was murdered. James Buckler has plenty of twists up his sleeve as Lewis strives on, even though it is clear that there are people out there, who are desperate to make sure the truth behind Maria’s death remains buried, at any cost.
James Buckler takes Lewis Miller into some murky depths as he begins to investigate his client and I was flying through the pages. Robert Carlson is a very interesting character. Because of his plans for the future, you want to like him, and you want to believe that he is doing this for the benefit of the population as a whole. But soon the truth behind his plans is revealed and there are some shocking reveals. The pace in this novel is spot on and it continued to command my attention. The Simple Truth is action packed and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading, as I haven’t read anything by James Buckler before, but now I definitely will be reading whatever he writes next.
The Simple Truth is a gripping legal thriller that you won’t want to put down.
I have no idea what I would do if I was ever in that situation. Like the person who comes across the car, I think my curiosity would get the better of me, but I would also be extremely wary, and think I would more than likely call the police instead.
Following the discovery we then meet lawyer, Lewis Miller, who is tasked with delivering an NDA to a suspected suicide victim’s family. The body of a young woman, Maria Brennan has been found on Coldharbour Marshes. She was employed by Robert Carlson, a leading environmentalist who has big plans to help secure funding for a project that would provide unlimited green energy for London. But when Lewis Miller goes to see Maria Brennan’s family, it is clear that something more is going on here and Lewis begins to suspect that Maria was murdered.
Lewis Miller is easy to like. You might think that, as a lawyer, he would just want to get the job he has been sent out to do done, and be paid, but that isn’t who Lewis is at all. He is determined to get the truth for Maria and her family, especially when Maria’s mother refuses to accept the NDA.
I was really intrigued by what happened to Maria and who could be responsible for her death if Lewis was right and she was murdered. James Buckler has plenty of twists up his sleeve as Lewis strives on, even though it is clear that there are people out there, who are desperate to make sure the truth behind Maria’s death remains buried, at any cost.
James Buckler takes Lewis Miller into some murky depths as he begins to investigate his client and I was flying through the pages. Robert Carlson is a very interesting character. Because of his plans for the future, you want to like him, and you want to believe that he is doing this for the benefit of the population as a whole. But soon the truth behind his plans is revealed and there are some shocking reveals. The pace in this novel is spot on and it continued to command my attention. The Simple Truth is action packed and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading, as I haven’t read anything by James Buckler before, but now I definitely will be reading whatever he writes next.
The Simple Truth is a gripping legal thriller that you won’t want to put down.
December 8, 2022
Maria Brennan is dead by her own hand; her family are alleging harassment and her ex-boss wants them to sign an NDA – in return for a hundred thousand pounds. The boss, Robert Carlson, gets his lawyer to arrange this transaction and he, in turn, sends Lewis Miller, the most junior lawyer in his company, to meet with the family. Lewis is a former East End kid “chosen” to interact with the family because of that background. Although they, Maria’s mother, and brother, live in a high-rise block in Whitechapel the mother, Irina, refuses to sign. She believes that Carlson had fired Maria, his closest and smartest assistant, for no reason and then trashed her reputation to ensure she couldn’t get another job. Lewis, worried that his failure might affect his own career, tries to resolve the problem but finds himself embroiled in a complicated situation. Was this really a suicide? How does it relate to Carlson’s plans to build a huge Hydrogen production plant to provide green energy Carlson is a hero to environmentalists, but his company is in trouble and he is being funded by dodgy investors. Did Maria find out something that would damage his image? What connection, if any, does Maria’s brother, Drew, have to her death? Unlike his sister he hasn’t escaped from the tough East End world and earns most of his money by threatening or beating up people to order.
The story is fairly linear, mostly following Lewis’s investigation into the death, and Carlson and his associates attempts to hinder this. There are also a few apparent subplots around the family histories of Lewis and Drew, as well as problems in Carlson’s family life. Despite this complexity, the sentences, paragraphs and chapters are all quite short which move the reader along quite quickly. This is helped by the simplicity, almost naiveite, of the language. There is also a lot of tightly written jeopardy, but there isn’t much in the way of mystery – some of the minutiae of the plot is unbelievable but none of it is actually surprising. Overall, I think it is a 3.5 which I have to round to 4, but that is generous.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
The story is fairly linear, mostly following Lewis’s investigation into the death, and Carlson and his associates attempts to hinder this. There are also a few apparent subplots around the family histories of Lewis and Drew, as well as problems in Carlson’s family life. Despite this complexity, the sentences, paragraphs and chapters are all quite short which move the reader along quite quickly. This is helped by the simplicity, almost naiveite, of the language. There is also a lot of tightly written jeopardy, but there isn’t much in the way of mystery – some of the minutiae of the plot is unbelievable but none of it is actually surprising. Overall, I think it is a 3.5 which I have to round to 4, but that is generous.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
August 29, 2022
When brilliant research scientist Maria Brennan is discovered dead in her car everyone is convinced she's taken her own life. All the evidence points to suicide; she's lost her high profile job and seems to have been blacklisted in the research community. However, her mother Irina is convinced Maria wouldn't take her own life and when a young lawyer is tasked with getting Irina to sign an NDA he begins to suspect that she may be right.
I was a little bit skeptical when I started reading The Simple Truth as the opening pages are very descriptive, setting the scene on a nature reserve and leading up to the discovery of a body. Once the main characters are introduced the story really begins to increase in pace.
The story taps into a lot of themes which are very relevant at the moment. Organised crime, green energy and Russian money. Author James Buckler manages to weave these themes together in an interesting, and believable, way. The use of the themes also means that there is never a dull moment in the story, we have action, tension and terror.
A range of characters feature throughout the novel with the main one being young lawyer Lewis Miller. Lewis has fought his way up from his working class background in east London to become an employee of one of the most prestigious law firms in the country. Because of his background Lewis sees parallels between himself and Maria Brennan and this sets him on his crusade to discover the truth.
The story has plenty of twists and absolutely no-one can be trusted. There are plenty of red herrings along the way too. James Buckler has worked in TV and film for years and this is evident in the way the chase scenes are written, your heart is pounding as you wonder if each character can escape pursuit.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on Twitter
@Debbie_Hart_UK
I was a little bit skeptical when I started reading The Simple Truth as the opening pages are very descriptive, setting the scene on a nature reserve and leading up to the discovery of a body. Once the main characters are introduced the story really begins to increase in pace.
The story taps into a lot of themes which are very relevant at the moment. Organised crime, green energy and Russian money. Author James Buckler manages to weave these themes together in an interesting, and believable, way. The use of the themes also means that there is never a dull moment in the story, we have action, tension and terror.
A range of characters feature throughout the novel with the main one being young lawyer Lewis Miller. Lewis has fought his way up from his working class background in east London to become an employee of one of the most prestigious law firms in the country. Because of his background Lewis sees parallels between himself and Maria Brennan and this sets him on his crusade to discover the truth.
The story has plenty of twists and absolutely no-one can be trusted. There are plenty of red herrings along the way too. James Buckler has worked in TV and film for years and this is evident in the way the chase scenes are written, your heart is pounding as you wonder if each character can escape pursuit.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on Twitter
@Debbie_Hart_UK
January 6, 2023
This story and its concepts are something of the future. Take a moment before reading to think about what you could do to help change the world. Is it possible? - Without anybody getting harmed in the process.
A member of the Brennan family certainly thought they could help, but for them... everything spiralled to a dead end.
We follow Lewis, a new time lawyer on a world of adventures, be prepared to be gripped, excited and scared during these. I found these situations to be very interesting, suspenseful and dramatic, but every moment is concluded. This was very satisfying. The use of adjectives James Buckler has used leads your emotions down certain paths, and then those emotions are crushed! I doubted my own emotions, my thoughts and feelings became warped and I found myself questioning: “What should I be feeling?” That feeling is exhilarating. The author has done an incredible job of getting inside my head.
Throughout the chapters we meet many old and new faces, we pass through different eras, and we jump from character to character, but trust me on this one - everybody has their story and it all makes sense in the end. I am reassuring you on this one, because to start with I was confused by the amount of characters and story threads, but once I had gotten into the flow of this I understood how clever and well thought out this story was, I could not put it down!!!
James Buckler, thank you for this very clever and thoroughly enjoyable book.
To you, reading this review... Do you find the truth really that simple? Step into the world of Lewis and many more and see what your mind tells you.
A member of the Brennan family certainly thought they could help, but for them... everything spiralled to a dead end.
We follow Lewis, a new time lawyer on a world of adventures, be prepared to be gripped, excited and scared during these. I found these situations to be very interesting, suspenseful and dramatic, but every moment is concluded. This was very satisfying. The use of adjectives James Buckler has used leads your emotions down certain paths, and then those emotions are crushed! I doubted my own emotions, my thoughts and feelings became warped and I found myself questioning: “What should I be feeling?” That feeling is exhilarating. The author has done an incredible job of getting inside my head.
Throughout the chapters we meet many old and new faces, we pass through different eras, and we jump from character to character, but trust me on this one - everybody has their story and it all makes sense in the end. I am reassuring you on this one, because to start with I was confused by the amount of characters and story threads, but once I had gotten into the flow of this I understood how clever and well thought out this story was, I could not put it down!!!
James Buckler, thank you for this very clever and thoroughly enjoyable book.
To you, reading this review... Do you find the truth really that simple? Step into the world of Lewis and many more and see what your mind tells you.
January 21, 2024
This story and it’s concepts are something of the future.
Take a moment before reading to think about what you could do to help change the world. Is it possible? - Without anybody getting harmed in the process.
A member of the Brennan family certainly thought they could help, but for them… everything spiralled to a dead end.
We follow Lewis a new time lawyer on a world of adventures, be prepared to be gripped, excited and scared during these. I found these situations to be very interesting, suspenseful and dramatic, but every moment is concluded. This was very satisfying. The use of adjectives James Buckler has used leads your emotions down certain paths, and then those emotions are crushed! I doubted my own emotions, my thoughts and feelings became warped and I found myself questioning: “What should I be feeling?” That feeling is exhilarating. The author has done an incredible job of getting inside my head.
Throughout the chapters we meet many old and new faces, we pass through different eras, and we jump from character to character, but trust me on this one - everybody has their story and it all makes sense in the end. I am reassuring you on this one, because to start with I was confused by the amount of characters and story threads, but once I had gotten into the flow of this I understood how clever and well thought out this story was, I could not put it down!!!
James Buckler, thank you for this very clever and thoroughly enjoyable book.
To you, reading this review… do you find the truth really that simple? Step into the world of Lewis and many more and see what you mind tells you.
Take a moment before reading to think about what you could do to help change the world. Is it possible? - Without anybody getting harmed in the process.
A member of the Brennan family certainly thought they could help, but for them… everything spiralled to a dead end.
We follow Lewis a new time lawyer on a world of adventures, be prepared to be gripped, excited and scared during these. I found these situations to be very interesting, suspenseful and dramatic, but every moment is concluded. This was very satisfying. The use of adjectives James Buckler has used leads your emotions down certain paths, and then those emotions are crushed! I doubted my own emotions, my thoughts and feelings became warped and I found myself questioning: “What should I be feeling?” That feeling is exhilarating. The author has done an incredible job of getting inside my head.
Throughout the chapters we meet many old and new faces, we pass through different eras, and we jump from character to character, but trust me on this one - everybody has their story and it all makes sense in the end. I am reassuring you on this one, because to start with I was confused by the amount of characters and story threads, but once I had gotten into the flow of this I understood how clever and well thought out this story was, I could not put it down!!!
James Buckler, thank you for this very clever and thoroughly enjoyable book.
To you, reading this review… do you find the truth really that simple? Step into the world of Lewis and many more and see what you mind tells you.
November 2, 2022
I got The Simple Truth by James Buckler from NetGalley for a fair and honest review.
The Simple Truth by James Buckler, is a conspiracy thriller set in London where a young Lawyer is given the simple task of getting a Non Disclosure agreement signed, this leads him down a trail of big business and crime syndicates in London and Russia.
If you think you have read The Simple Truth before the answer is probably not, however you may have read a number of other books very similar, were the lawyer stumbles across something that uncovers a massive conspiracy that changes everything and puts their life in danger.
I am not saying this is a bad thing there are many plot lines that appear in a number of books what it does mean there is a large amount of books to compare this to.
What this book did well was the number of clues that added to the story but had no dealing with the main conspiracy, but added a number of enjoyable storylines to the novel.
While the main character Lewis a you idealistic lawyer was an engaging individual it did feel like that he did not have the skills needed to find out the truth and everything seemed to just fall in his lap or he was pulled out of danger.
All this means is while The Simple Truth by James Buckler is a readable novel of its type there are better ones, but believe me there is also a lot worse
The Simple Truth by James Buckler, is a conspiracy thriller set in London where a young Lawyer is given the simple task of getting a Non Disclosure agreement signed, this leads him down a trail of big business and crime syndicates in London and Russia.
If you think you have read The Simple Truth before the answer is probably not, however you may have read a number of other books very similar, were the lawyer stumbles across something that uncovers a massive conspiracy that changes everything and puts their life in danger.
I am not saying this is a bad thing there are many plot lines that appear in a number of books what it does mean there is a large amount of books to compare this to.
What this book did well was the number of clues that added to the story but had no dealing with the main conspiracy, but added a number of enjoyable storylines to the novel.
While the main character Lewis a you idealistic lawyer was an engaging individual it did feel like that he did not have the skills needed to find out the truth and everything seemed to just fall in his lap or he was pulled out of danger.
All this means is while The Simple Truth by James Buckler is a readable novel of its type there are better ones, but believe me there is also a lot worse
December 27, 2022
I really enjoyed this lawyer-led crime thriller from James Buckler, I was hooked from the start. In'' The Simple Truth', Lewis is an East End boy who's worked hard to fit into the middle class world of legal London. He is still a junior member of the team so when he's invited to serve a non-disclosure agreement on behalf of one of his company's most prestigious clients, he jumps at the chance. Lewis quickly becomes embroiled in a search to uncover the truth about what happened in relation to an apparent suicide, where Maria, a young woman who works for a clean energy company has been found dead after inhaling toxic chemicals. Lewis has to call on some of his East End knowledge as well as trying to break through the barriers put in his way at all levels of his investigation.
This was unlike anything I've read before; the pitching of the story was perfectly placed, with the balance between Lewis's old life and his new ambitions being brilliantly balanced. The stories and motivations of the more nefarious characters was also well portrayed; if you don't make it out of your world by brains, where else do you turn? The business world and all of its players also felt true to life and the various storylines connected brilliantly. I hadnt read James Buckler before but will certainly look out for any of his work in the future.
This was unlike anything I've read before; the pitching of the story was perfectly placed, with the balance between Lewis's old life and his new ambitions being brilliantly balanced. The stories and motivations of the more nefarious characters was also well portrayed; if you don't make it out of your world by brains, where else do you turn? The business world and all of its players also felt true to life and the various storylines connected brilliantly. I hadnt read James Buckler before but will certainly look out for any of his work in the future.
December 28, 2022
5⭐️
A brilliant and gripping read, guaranteed to prevent you putting this read down. 🔥
Buckler’s writing is immaculate and he has fabricated both a perfect plot and read. Packed with action, a well thought out and fresh plot, and edge of your seat moments, this legal thriller was the perfect read. 😍
I devoured this thriller fairly quickly as it was so difficult to put down. I’ve read legal thrillers before, but this just felt so different and refreshing to what I have previously explored. I praise Buckler for how each individual chapter, told from a different POV, kept me second guessing and intertwined and brought the reader one step closer to the grand revelation. 🤯
A unique aspect to this read is that all of the minor details mentioned were weaved into the plot as a whole to make them more significant than just a passing comment. I think this helps to immerse the reader. 🔥
I really liked the MC, Lewis, as he was young, ambitious and put his own job in jeopardy to find the truth. I hope we get another thriller with Lewis! 🤞
If you’re looking to kick start your new year reading with a brilliant book, then I highly recommend this read which is published 5th January 23!
Many thanks to James Buckler, NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam Press for this ARC! 📚
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
A brilliant and gripping read, guaranteed to prevent you putting this read down. 🔥
Buckler’s writing is immaculate and he has fabricated both a perfect plot and read. Packed with action, a well thought out and fresh plot, and edge of your seat moments, this legal thriller was the perfect read. 😍
I devoured this thriller fairly quickly as it was so difficult to put down. I’ve read legal thrillers before, but this just felt so different and refreshing to what I have previously explored. I praise Buckler for how each individual chapter, told from a different POV, kept me second guessing and intertwined and brought the reader one step closer to the grand revelation. 🤯
A unique aspect to this read is that all of the minor details mentioned were weaved into the plot as a whole to make them more significant than just a passing comment. I think this helps to immerse the reader. 🔥
I really liked the MC, Lewis, as he was young, ambitious and put his own job in jeopardy to find the truth. I hope we get another thriller with Lewis! 🤞
If you’re looking to kick start your new year reading with a brilliant book, then I highly recommend this read which is published 5th January 23!
Many thanks to James Buckler, NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam Press for this ARC! 📚
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
January 12, 2023
🧪 The story follows Maria Brennan whose dead body is found in her car at the cold harbour marshes. All the evidence at the crime scene points towards apparent suicide. But Maria’s mother is convinced that it’s a murder. Lewis Miller, a young ambitious lawyer is assigned by his firm on behalf of the client Robert Carlson to get some papers signed by Maria’s family. What secrets Robert is hiding? And will Lewis be able to uncover the truth?
🧪 Pick this up if you like/don’t mind:
📌 legal thrillers
📌 fast paced plot
📌 short chapters
📌 whodunnit vibes
📌 a wide array of good and bad characters
📌 action packed story
📌 plenty of unexpected turns and twists
📌 LOTS of characters that may give you hard time remembering who is who
📌 side plots in addition to the main murder mystery that will all turn out to be interconnected in the end
🧪 The start of the book was brilliant but the too many descriptive details kind of put me off. But once the story took pace and I learned the art of skimming through the details, the book became interesting and engaging. I loved the fact that how there were multiple side plots running parallel to the main plot- the only way to justify so many characters. Talking about the plot twists, I was able to guess few but rest came as a total surprise.
🧪 Thanks to the author for the eARC in exchange of an honest review.
November 27, 2022
A young woman is found dead at a local beauty spot, an apparent suicide. You're a newly qualified lawyer, and an extraordinarily wealthy client needs a favour. This could be your big break, so you jump at the chance - all you have to do is talk to a family and get them to sign some papers. How difficult could it be? After all, the truth is simple, right?
The Simple Truth is a pacey and atmospheric thriller with conspiracy theory vibes. Despite quite a few cliches - rookie lawyer, climate change warrior, Russian oligarchs, East End wideboys and more - the story is gripping enough to keep you too interested to look away until the last page.
The story is told from several points of view, which works well within this multilayered plot; in short, sharp well focused chapters, we learn about our plucky working class lawyer crusader and the supporting cast of heroes and villains; the trouble is it's hard to know who is on which side and is it even that clear cut?
The story plays out in a similar vein to a John Grisham novel but without the well-honed finesse. I think The Simple Truth would transfer well to a television drama; in fact, it may even be better on screen.
Murder or suicide? That is the not-so-simple question.
The Simple Truth is a pacey and atmospheric thriller with conspiracy theory vibes. Despite quite a few cliches - rookie lawyer, climate change warrior, Russian oligarchs, East End wideboys and more - the story is gripping enough to keep you too interested to look away until the last page.
The story is told from several points of view, which works well within this multilayered plot; in short, sharp well focused chapters, we learn about our plucky working class lawyer crusader and the supporting cast of heroes and villains; the trouble is it's hard to know who is on which side and is it even that clear cut?
The story plays out in a similar vein to a John Grisham novel but without the well-honed finesse. I think The Simple Truth would transfer well to a television drama; in fact, it may even be better on screen.
Murder or suicide? That is the not-so-simple question.
January 8, 2023
I enjoyed The Simple Truth by James Buckler- a fast-paced murder thriller set in the not-so-glossy legal world and the criminal underbelly of London.
I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
Lewis is an ambitious yet idealistic lawyer from a working-class background trying to succeed in a posh and privileged world where he is an outsider, He jumps at the chance to prove himself in what should be a simple signing of an NDA but finds his values and loyalties are challenged. Lewis's journey from a man trying to be a typical city lawyer to a man who is comfortable being who he is was a heart-warming journey in what could have been a cynical book on the power of wealth.
The book is contemptuous and relevant to the times we live with its background of environmental iss
ues, corruption and politics.
The underlying murder- the mystery is complex with plenty of suspects and motives – I didn’t guess who the murderer was right till the end when several threads converge quite neatly.
The Simple Truth was engaging, easy and quick (for me) read– I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys tightly-paced thrillers and mysteries.
Content Warning
Drug Misuse, References to Suicide, grief at the loss of an adult child, references to parental abandonment.
I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
Lewis is an ambitious yet idealistic lawyer from a working-class background trying to succeed in a posh and privileged world where he is an outsider, He jumps at the chance to prove himself in what should be a simple signing of an NDA but finds his values and loyalties are challenged. Lewis's journey from a man trying to be a typical city lawyer to a man who is comfortable being who he is was a heart-warming journey in what could have been a cynical book on the power of wealth.
The book is contemptuous and relevant to the times we live with its background of environmental iss
ues, corruption and politics.
The underlying murder- the mystery is complex with plenty of suspects and motives – I didn’t guess who the murderer was right till the end when several threads converge quite neatly.
The Simple Truth was engaging, easy and quick (for me) read– I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys tightly-paced thrillers and mysteries.
Content Warning
Drug Misuse, References to Suicide, grief at the loss of an adult child, references to parental abandonment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews