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How to Kill a Client
Taking on law's old boys club can have deadly results... A gripping thriller from a bold new voice about misogyny, corruption and the legal industry.
Everyone is going to say what a great guy and a great lawyer he was. He wasn't. He was a prick … And a shithouse lawyer.'
Gavin Jones is dead at thirty-nine. As an in-house lawyer who controlled millions of dollars in fees per year, he was legal firm Howard Greene's biggest client and wielded that power with manipulative contempt. But he saved his worst behaviour for women, at work and at home. The partners of Howard Greene relied on his favour to fund their lavish lifestyles. If sycophantic admiration of the man was all it took to secure work from Gavin, that's what they delivered. But no one liked Gavin. The list of those who suffered from his cruelty was long enough to include pretty much everyone who had contact with him. So who actually killed him?A fast-paced and wickedly funny thriller about power and revenge set in the pristine towers of capitalism, How to Kill a Client is a scorching debut straight out of tomorrow's headlines.
Everyone is going to say what a great guy and a great lawyer he was. He wasn't. He was a prick … And a shithouse lawyer.'
Gavin Jones is dead at thirty-nine. As an in-house lawyer who controlled millions of dollars in fees per year, he was legal firm Howard Greene's biggest client and wielded that power with manipulative contempt. But he saved his worst behaviour for women, at work and at home. The partners of Howard Greene relied on his favour to fund their lavish lifestyles. If sycophantic admiration of the man was all it took to secure work from Gavin, that's what they delivered. But no one liked Gavin. The list of those who suffered from his cruelty was long enough to include pretty much everyone who had contact with him. So who actually killed him?A fast-paced and wickedly funny thriller about power and revenge set in the pristine towers of capitalism, How to Kill a Client is a scorching debut straight out of tomorrow's headlines.
392 pages, Paperback
First published January 31, 2023
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1090 people want to read
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January 17, 2023
How to Kill a Client by Joanna Jenkins
Synopsis /
First and foremost, a huge thank you to Allen & Unwin for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Taking on law's old boys club can have deadly results... A gripping thriller from a bold new voice about misogyny, corruption and the legal industry.
Gavin Jones is dead at thirty-nine. As an in-house lawyer who controlled millions of dollars in fees per year, he was legal firm Howard Greene's biggest client and wielded that power with manipulative contempt. But he saved his worst behaviour for women, at work and at home.
The partners of Howard Greene relied on his favour to fund their lavish lifestyles. If sycophantic admiration of the man was all it took to secure work from Gavin, that's what they delivered.
But no one liked Gavin. The list of those who suffered from his cruelty was long enough to include pretty much everyone who had contact with him. So who actually killed him?
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge thank you to Allen & Unwin for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
A book which has as its setting, an old established law firm; the partnership - a group of (male) self-serving lawyers; greed; corruption and politics. When you mix all that together the result is one scandalous story. Who’d have thought!!
Ours is a profession known for attracting greedy, manipulative people.
Well, Joanna Jenkins certainly knows how to make an entrance into the literary world. With this, her debut novel, How to Kill a Client. And, it’s an absolute banger. Expected release date is January 31 – so mark your diary my GR friends.
This one appealed to me immediately for a couple of reasons. It’s set in Brisbane, Australia – which is my hometown. The theme is legal (I work in the industry) – not a courtroom drama, but about the goings on ‘behind the scenes’ in a (fictional) large established law firm, the behaviour of its ‘Old Boys’ Partnership, and the greed, corruption, power, and politicking of some of the most self-serving people I’ve ever had the pleasure to read about.
As a child, my father once told me: Angela, most people only need lawyers twice in their life – once, when they buy a house, and the other time is when they die. Criminals need lawyers all the time. Be like most people. As an adult, I’m not sure that statement is wholly correct, but, I have nonetheless endeavoured to live my life like ‘most people’.
As the in-house lawyer for Minerallic, Gavin Jones controlled the purse strings for millions of dollars’ worth of legal fees to be spent each year. As a result, he was wined and dined by all major local law firms. Unfortunately, for those firms tendering for any Minerallic work; Jones also came with a huge personality, and enormous ego, which needed stroking constantly before any work was seen to come their way. He was a narcissist – totally self-involved, overly vain and always selfish. Thought women should be neither seen nor heard; and women in a business role – he never recognised anyone and would only address his male counterparts in a meeting. Unfortunately for Gavin’s wife, Anne, his behaviour was no different at home. His word was law and as such, undisputed. It’s fair to say that no-one liked Gavin. They only liked what he could give them.
Now Gavin Jones is dead.
At the legal firm of Howard Green, all Partners have been called to a meeting. The main item on the agenda for discussion? The in-house counsel of their biggest client is dead.
Everyone is going to say what a great guy and a great lawyer he was. He wasn't. He was a prick … and a shithouse lawyer.
The client relationship partner ran through the files Gavin (and Minerallic) had been involved in. Then the discussion turned to the practical impact the death of a major client’s in-house counsel would have on the firm. They were more than a little concerned, as most of the partners of Howard Greene relied on Gavin’s favourable connection with the firm to fund their lavish lifestyles.
A big law firm could be reminiscent of a kindergarten, a rabble of over-paid adults squabbling over who should have the biggest Tonka truck.
But sympathy for his death is short lived, as everyone turns the focus to themselves. Never has there been such a collective cast of shallow characters. The only thing that’s not shallow in this book is the suspect list – which is looooooong.
Jenkins’ writing is sharp and punchy. The plot is fast-paced and moves along at a ticking pace. Jenkins’ has written characters that are eerily realistic. I had a hard time putting this one down; and just wanted to keep reading. If you like your thrillers to have a bit of legalese; your books to have characters you just love to hate; then I highly recommend that you take a look at this little debut gem.
Synopsis /
First and foremost, a huge thank you to Allen & Unwin for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Taking on law's old boys club can have deadly results... A gripping thriller from a bold new voice about misogyny, corruption and the legal industry.
Gavin Jones is dead at thirty-nine. As an in-house lawyer who controlled millions of dollars in fees per year, he was legal firm Howard Greene's biggest client and wielded that power with manipulative contempt. But he saved his worst behaviour for women, at work and at home.
The partners of Howard Greene relied on his favour to fund their lavish lifestyles. If sycophantic admiration of the man was all it took to secure work from Gavin, that's what they delivered.
But no one liked Gavin. The list of those who suffered from his cruelty was long enough to include pretty much everyone who had contact with him. So who actually killed him?
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge thank you to Allen & Unwin for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
A book which has as its setting, an old established law firm; the partnership - a group of (male) self-serving lawyers; greed; corruption and politics. When you mix all that together the result is one scandalous story. Who’d have thought!!
Ours is a profession known for attracting greedy, manipulative people.
Well, Joanna Jenkins certainly knows how to make an entrance into the literary world. With this, her debut novel, How to Kill a Client. And, it’s an absolute banger. Expected release date is January 31 – so mark your diary my GR friends.
This one appealed to me immediately for a couple of reasons. It’s set in Brisbane, Australia – which is my hometown. The theme is legal (I work in the industry) – not a courtroom drama, but about the goings on ‘behind the scenes’ in a (fictional) large established law firm, the behaviour of its ‘Old Boys’ Partnership, and the greed, corruption, power, and politicking of some of the most self-serving people I’ve ever had the pleasure to read about.
As a child, my father once told me: Angela, most people only need lawyers twice in their life – once, when they buy a house, and the other time is when they die. Criminals need lawyers all the time. Be like most people. As an adult, I’m not sure that statement is wholly correct, but, I have nonetheless endeavoured to live my life like ‘most people’.
As the in-house lawyer for Minerallic, Gavin Jones controlled the purse strings for millions of dollars’ worth of legal fees to be spent each year. As a result, he was wined and dined by all major local law firms. Unfortunately, for those firms tendering for any Minerallic work; Jones also came with a huge personality, and enormous ego, which needed stroking constantly before any work was seen to come their way. He was a narcissist – totally self-involved, overly vain and always selfish. Thought women should be neither seen nor heard; and women in a business role – he never recognised anyone and would only address his male counterparts in a meeting. Unfortunately for Gavin’s wife, Anne, his behaviour was no different at home. His word was law and as such, undisputed. It’s fair to say that no-one liked Gavin. They only liked what he could give them.
Now Gavin Jones is dead.
At the legal firm of Howard Green, all Partners have been called to a meeting. The main item on the agenda for discussion? The in-house counsel of their biggest client is dead.
Everyone is going to say what a great guy and a great lawyer he was. He wasn't. He was a prick … and a shithouse lawyer.
The client relationship partner ran through the files Gavin (and Minerallic) had been involved in. Then the discussion turned to the practical impact the death of a major client’s in-house counsel would have on the firm. They were more than a little concerned, as most of the partners of Howard Greene relied on Gavin’s favourable connection with the firm to fund their lavish lifestyles.
A big law firm could be reminiscent of a kindergarten, a rabble of over-paid adults squabbling over who should have the biggest Tonka truck.
But sympathy for his death is short lived, as everyone turns the focus to themselves. Never has there been such a collective cast of shallow characters. The only thing that’s not shallow in this book is the suspect list – which is looooooong.
Jenkins’ writing is sharp and punchy. The plot is fast-paced and moves along at a ticking pace. Jenkins’ has written characters that are eerily realistic. I had a hard time putting this one down; and just wanted to keep reading. If you like your thrillers to have a bit of legalese; your books to have characters you just love to hate; then I highly recommend that you take a look at this little debut gem.
April 1, 2023
This turned out to be an excellent debut novel by a new Australian author.
The story is set mostly in the offices of Howard Greene, a legal firm trying to win favors and fee paying work from Gavin Jones, who represents their biggest client. Gavin is not a nice man and he brings out all the worst attributes of the people dealing with him. His position guarantees sycophancy, but everyone dislikes him and when he is murdered there are a heap of suspects!
I thought this was very well written with an interesting story and many great characters. The women come out best in this especially Ruth who had a strong understanding of what was going on, fought for the underdog, and was not afraid of exposing wrongdoing even it was not in her own personal interests to do so.
An entertaining mystery, humorous in parts, well paced and easy to read. 4 stars.
The story is set mostly in the offices of Howard Greene, a legal firm trying to win favors and fee paying work from Gavin Jones, who represents their biggest client. Gavin is not a nice man and he brings out all the worst attributes of the people dealing with him. His position guarantees sycophancy, but everyone dislikes him and when he is murdered there are a heap of suspects!
I thought this was very well written with an interesting story and many great characters. The women come out best in this especially Ruth who had a strong understanding of what was going on, fought for the underdog, and was not afraid of exposing wrongdoing even it was not in her own personal interests to do so.
An entertaining mystery, humorous in parts, well paced and easy to read. 4 stars.
January 26, 2026
I went into this blind unfortunately listening to the audio version was a nightmare for me got up to 30 % with absolutely nothing except for the murder of a lawyer Gavin Jones there were multiple suspects a mile long too slow for me.
February 26, 2023
WOW what an awesome debut, this one will pull the reader in from page one, it is fast paced and takes the reader into the world of a big law firm in Brisbane, filled predominately with male lawyers with big egos, misogyny is rife, but will it all come crashing down around their ears when a major client is dead from a heart attack at thirty nine?
Howard Greene is one of the biggest law firms in Australia there are few female partners in this firm Viv being one of them in the Brisbane office, she is working on a strategy for a new mine that is going to open and this mining company is Howard Greene’s biggest client, Gavin Jones is the representative for them and what an misogynist such a nasty piece of work, when he insists that Viv be taken of the job, Viv has lots of different thoughts as to what to do with him
Ruth a partner in the Sydney office arrives and instantly she can see that things are not going as well here as they should be, she has the ear of the big boss but this time he is not listening and when Gavin is found dead and the police start investigation, Ruth also does her own investigating and what she uncovers will blow the lid on what has been happening in this office, the finger pointing starts, but who did murder Gavin Jones, the client? I had no idea till the end.
This story is filled with awesome characters good and bad and MS Jenkins has bought them to life on the pages, she has pulled me into the story she had me cheering the good guys one and had me stunned at what length some men will go to, too get what they want they have no thoughts about anyone but themselves, such greed and power, this is an awesome story that I highly recommend, huge congrats MS Jenkins on a fabulous debut.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my copy to read and review.
Howard Greene is one of the biggest law firms in Australia there are few female partners in this firm Viv being one of them in the Brisbane office, she is working on a strategy for a new mine that is going to open and this mining company is Howard Greene’s biggest client, Gavin Jones is the representative for them and what an misogynist such a nasty piece of work, when he insists that Viv be taken of the job, Viv has lots of different thoughts as to what to do with him
Ruth a partner in the Sydney office arrives and instantly she can see that things are not going as well here as they should be, she has the ear of the big boss but this time he is not listening and when Gavin is found dead and the police start investigation, Ruth also does her own investigating and what she uncovers will blow the lid on what has been happening in this office, the finger pointing starts, but who did murder Gavin Jones, the client? I had no idea till the end.
This story is filled with awesome characters good and bad and MS Jenkins has bought them to life on the pages, she has pulled me into the story she had me cheering the good guys one and had me stunned at what length some men will go to, too get what they want they have no thoughts about anyone but themselves, such greed and power, this is an awesome story that I highly recommend, huge congrats MS Jenkins on a fabulous debut.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my copy to read and review.
February 18, 2023
I read this in just a couple of sittings. The writing is crisp and the story pulls you along and doesn't let you go. I think a lot of women will recognise the subtle unequal dynamics at play here in the very corporate backdrop. I love the sighs of relief when a man all the women dislike suddenly dies. Did one of them kill him? That is the question. This is a rollicking clever novel and I hope to read more from Joanna Jenkins.
July 17, 2023
Corporate law is not exactly known as the glamorous side of the legal world, but it’s definitely responsible for some of the most lucrative paydays when high stakes clients are concerned. And where there’s money you’ll always find corruption of one sort or another lurking close by. It’s here, through the lure of power and money that the essence of a dramatic murder mystery lies within the walls of legal firm Howard Greene.
Gavin Jones is the in-house lawyer for Minerallic and he controls where the company will send its legal business. It’s a huge company and its business is worth many millions of dollars to the corporate lawyers he chooses. This means there’s plenty of opportunity for someone who is completely narcissistic, power hungry and desperate to line his own pockets to run amok. Not only that, he’s a complete misogynist to boot.
During the tender process his true personality shines through in spectacular fashion, largely to the detriment of Howard Greene’s competition lawyer Viv Harrison. His dislike and disdain for her not only threatens the company’s chances of landing the big contract but also puts her position as a partner at the company at risk.
Things progress to the point where Viv begins to imagine what it might be like to be rid of the troublesome man. She even goes as far as plotting and then beginning the process of carrying out a method of murdering him. That is, until common sense kicks in and she realises she can’t possibly carry out such a diabolical plan.
But, as we already know from the opening chapter, Gavin Jones is dead. He suddenly died from a heart attack, unusual in a man who, up until he died, was in perfect health.
This turns into a very well pieced together murder mystery thanks to a series of strategic pieces of information distributed to a succession of characters. The upshot of that is that Jenkins has made it possible that the murderer could be one of at least five different characters. The challenge lay in trying to figure out who it actually was.
The villain of the piece, the dead guy (Gavin) was such an abhorrent piece of work, he could have rubbed anyone up the wrong way to the point where they wanted to off him, so that opened up the potential suspects even wider. (Heck, I disliked him enough that I would have happily done it myself!) That’s actually my way of congratulating the author for bringing her characters so fully to life that it prompted a visceral reaction from me.
The world of corruption and greed in big business is a well-trodden path, as the male dominated chauvinism that runs rampant in such environments. But the world is changing and How To Kill A Client might just sound a warning that would pay to be heeded.
I found this to be a very entertaining murder mystery that did a great job in obscuring the identity of the killer until the appropriate moment. The business environment was described in a scarily accurate way, to the point where I felt I was wrenched out of retirement and thrust back into that dreaded atmosphere myself. *shudder*
Gavin Jones is the in-house lawyer for Minerallic and he controls where the company will send its legal business. It’s a huge company and its business is worth many millions of dollars to the corporate lawyers he chooses. This means there’s plenty of opportunity for someone who is completely narcissistic, power hungry and desperate to line his own pockets to run amok. Not only that, he’s a complete misogynist to boot.
During the tender process his true personality shines through in spectacular fashion, largely to the detriment of Howard Greene’s competition lawyer Viv Harrison. His dislike and disdain for her not only threatens the company’s chances of landing the big contract but also puts her position as a partner at the company at risk.
Things progress to the point where Viv begins to imagine what it might be like to be rid of the troublesome man. She even goes as far as plotting and then beginning the process of carrying out a method of murdering him. That is, until common sense kicks in and she realises she can’t possibly carry out such a diabolical plan.
But, as we already know from the opening chapter, Gavin Jones is dead. He suddenly died from a heart attack, unusual in a man who, up until he died, was in perfect health.
This turns into a very well pieced together murder mystery thanks to a series of strategic pieces of information distributed to a succession of characters. The upshot of that is that Jenkins has made it possible that the murderer could be one of at least five different characters. The challenge lay in trying to figure out who it actually was.
The villain of the piece, the dead guy (Gavin) was such an abhorrent piece of work, he could have rubbed anyone up the wrong way to the point where they wanted to off him, so that opened up the potential suspects even wider. (Heck, I disliked him enough that I would have happily done it myself!) That’s actually my way of congratulating the author for bringing her characters so fully to life that it prompted a visceral reaction from me.
The world of corruption and greed in big business is a well-trodden path, as the male dominated chauvinism that runs rampant in such environments. But the world is changing and How To Kill A Client might just sound a warning that would pay to be heeded.
I found this to be a very entertaining murder mystery that did a great job in obscuring the identity of the killer until the appropriate moment. The business environment was described in a scarily accurate way, to the point where I felt I was wrenched out of retirement and thrust back into that dreaded atmosphere myself. *shudder*
February 25, 2023
'Maybe someone should kill him.'
Was it the shagged then promptly dumped young colleague? The coercively controlled wife? Her protective big brother? The talented female lawyer who he’s disparaged and claimed as his own work her ingenious strategy? The disgraced former Minister for Projects?
Gavin Jones is a duplicitous bastard, self-serving and avaricious. He represents Minerallic, a global mining giant, client of the Brisbane office of the Howard Greene law firm. HG’s office glossily teeters high above the Brisbane River, and even with Human Resource’s inhumane ‘reshaping’ underway to cut operational costs, their future is dependent on winning Minerallic’s Holy Grail project. Their fine art collection, in-house chef and exhorbitant partner salaries are at stake! The usual fee-earner fear of failing to exceed minimum billable hours is always palpable, but without Gavin’s favour the partners risk losing tens of millions in fees. Time for the enthusiastic sycophants to practice their well honed art form, even though they despise him.
Gavin doesn’t want skilled and highly competent Viv on Howard Greene’s team, even though she is their only competition law partner. Right, she has to go despite Viv having just won the lucrative Fast Rail project. A lousy performance review should set the framework: poor team player, failure to acknowledge others, too emotional. Distraught Viv storms out and confides to her mentor her revenge fantasy ...
Gavin’s unexpected death at 39 is investigated by the police. The old boy network close ranks and cover arses. Ruth, a relocated partner from the Sydney office and who has reconnected with Gavin’s brother-in-law smells a rat and starts her own investigation into the practice.
Joanna Jenkins nails the club of the male law clique with a host of nefarious characters, all enjoyably despicable. ‘How to Kill a Client’ hilariously portrays the corruption, greed and dirty dealings, and should probably be on the legal studies curriculum for all female students.
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for an advanced reading copy.
Was it the shagged then promptly dumped young colleague? The coercively controlled wife? Her protective big brother? The talented female lawyer who he’s disparaged and claimed as his own work her ingenious strategy? The disgraced former Minister for Projects?
Gavin Jones is a duplicitous bastard, self-serving and avaricious. He represents Minerallic, a global mining giant, client of the Brisbane office of the Howard Greene law firm. HG’s office glossily teeters high above the Brisbane River, and even with Human Resource’s inhumane ‘reshaping’ underway to cut operational costs, their future is dependent on winning Minerallic’s Holy Grail project. Their fine art collection, in-house chef and exhorbitant partner salaries are at stake! The usual fee-earner fear of failing to exceed minimum billable hours is always palpable, but without Gavin’s favour the partners risk losing tens of millions in fees. Time for the enthusiastic sycophants to practice their well honed art form, even though they despise him.
Gavin doesn’t want skilled and highly competent Viv on Howard Greene’s team, even though she is their only competition law partner. Right, she has to go despite Viv having just won the lucrative Fast Rail project. A lousy performance review should set the framework: poor team player, failure to acknowledge others, too emotional. Distraught Viv storms out and confides to her mentor her revenge fantasy ...
Gavin’s unexpected death at 39 is investigated by the police. The old boy network close ranks and cover arses. Ruth, a relocated partner from the Sydney office and who has reconnected with Gavin’s brother-in-law smells a rat and starts her own investigation into the practice.
Joanna Jenkins nails the club of the male law clique with a host of nefarious characters, all enjoyably despicable. ‘How to Kill a Client’ hilariously portrays the corruption, greed and dirty dealings, and should probably be on the legal studies curriculum for all female students.
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for an advanced reading copy.
April 6, 2023
“‘If every prick in or near a law firm was a target for murder, there would be a blood bath, ….Ours is a profession known for attracting greedy, manipulative people. But they seem to stay alive. Regrettably, in some cases.’”
How To Kill a Client is an engaging debut mystery novel from Joanna Jenkins.
As a new partner in the Brisbane law firm at Howard Greene, Viv is worried when talk of lay offs begin. The only woman in the Brisbane office she feels particularly vulnerable, though a good relationship with the company’s biggest client offers her some protection, until Minerallic hire a new head for their legal department. Gavin Jones has no intention of working with a woman and, though Viv believes she has has the support of her boss, she finds herself slowly being sidelined. When Gavin, just thirty-nine, collapses at home, his sudden death raises suspicion. Viv seems an obvious suspect, but it soon becomes clear that she was just one among many who wished him dead.
Unfolding primarily from the perspectives of Viv; a visiting senior partner from Sydney, Ruth; and Gavin Jones’ wife, Anne, Jenkins exposes a corporate culture rife with corruption, manipulation, betrayal, and misogyny.
Viv panics as her career comes under threat. In an effort to save herself she befriends Gavin’s wife, Anne.
Anne is all too aware that Viv’s goal to get Gavin onside is futile. Her husband is a controlling, abusive, misogynist who has only contempt for women, both professionally and personally. She desperately wants to leave him but she is terrified of the consequences for herself, and their two daughters.
Ruth is troubled by the behaviour she sees in the Brisbane firm. It’s obvious to her from the first staff meeting that the firm’s manager, Philip, has an agenda. After Gavin’s death, with the police nosing around, Ruth starts her own investigation, eventually uncovering a slew of nefarious deeds, and the killer.
I hope that Jenkins, herself a retired lawyer, is exaggerating the culture of corporate law by quite a margin because it’s sounds pretty awful, especially if you are a woman, though I suspect that men like Philip and Gavin are all too common in the profession that still venerates the ‘old boys’ network.
There isn’t a lot of tension in the story, so the author relies on the intrigue of the murder to maintain interest. The mystery is well plotted, and with plenty of suspects in the frame I didn’t solve it before the reveal. I thought the pacing was a little slow overall though, and odd that the murder occurs so late in the book.
However, with its somewhat unique setting and interesting characters, I enjoyed How To Kill a Client.
How To Kill a Client is an engaging debut mystery novel from Joanna Jenkins.
As a new partner in the Brisbane law firm at Howard Greene, Viv is worried when talk of lay offs begin. The only woman in the Brisbane office she feels particularly vulnerable, though a good relationship with the company’s biggest client offers her some protection, until Minerallic hire a new head for their legal department. Gavin Jones has no intention of working with a woman and, though Viv believes she has has the support of her boss, she finds herself slowly being sidelined. When Gavin, just thirty-nine, collapses at home, his sudden death raises suspicion. Viv seems an obvious suspect, but it soon becomes clear that she was just one among many who wished him dead.
Unfolding primarily from the perspectives of Viv; a visiting senior partner from Sydney, Ruth; and Gavin Jones’ wife, Anne, Jenkins exposes a corporate culture rife with corruption, manipulation, betrayal, and misogyny.
Viv panics as her career comes under threat. In an effort to save herself she befriends Gavin’s wife, Anne.
Anne is all too aware that Viv’s goal to get Gavin onside is futile. Her husband is a controlling, abusive, misogynist who has only contempt for women, both professionally and personally. She desperately wants to leave him but she is terrified of the consequences for herself, and their two daughters.
Ruth is troubled by the behaviour she sees in the Brisbane firm. It’s obvious to her from the first staff meeting that the firm’s manager, Philip, has an agenda. After Gavin’s death, with the police nosing around, Ruth starts her own investigation, eventually uncovering a slew of nefarious deeds, and the killer.
I hope that Jenkins, herself a retired lawyer, is exaggerating the culture of corporate law by quite a margin because it’s sounds pretty awful, especially if you are a woman, though I suspect that men like Philip and Gavin are all too common in the profession that still venerates the ‘old boys’ network.
There isn’t a lot of tension in the story, so the author relies on the intrigue of the murder to maintain interest. The mystery is well plotted, and with plenty of suspects in the frame I didn’t solve it before the reveal. I thought the pacing was a little slow overall though, and odd that the murder occurs so late in the book.
However, with its somewhat unique setting and interesting characters, I enjoyed How To Kill a Client.
January 17, 2024
*https://www.instagram.com/mrsb_book_r...
🏛Queensland born writer Joanna Jenkins is the author of How to Kill a Client. A murder mystery come thriller tale about the corporate and legal world, this is an engaging debut novel.
🏛I’m going through a spell of legal and corporate set thrillers, so I was able to reach to How to Kill a Client by Joanna Jenkins which has been sitting on my review shelf for a year. This debut novel revolves around a complex murder mystery of a man who was disliked by many. The motives as well as the suspects were endless in this book’s case. It definitely kept me on my toes and my mind ticking over trying to work out who was responsible for Gavin's death. The plot was quite intricate overall, making it hard to pick the culprit. When the final curtain call came, I was surprised by the outcome, which I didn’t predict.
🏛How to Kill a Client features a multiple perspective form of narration and these shifts help provide an overview of the central murder case. Thanks to these standpoint variations we are given a unique insight into the corporate sphere and culture that is attached to this world. I don’t work in the corporate or legal field, so it was good to be exposed to a different form of employment to my own. Jenkins has inserted her own wealth of experience in this corner, which made the setting feel authentic and realistic. Linked to this are the potent themes that are present in the storyline. From power, control, manipulation, betrayal, revenge, misogyny, wealth, greed, lavish lifestyles, competition and commercialism, Jenkins covers a lot of ground here. Billed as a wickedly funny thriller with a fast pace, I did encounter some issues with the pace personally. However, I feel that Joanna Jenkins did a good job of presenting this corporate murder mystery tale.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫3.5 stars
🙏Thank you to @allenandunwin for the copy.
🏛Queensland born writer Joanna Jenkins is the author of How to Kill a Client. A murder mystery come thriller tale about the corporate and legal world, this is an engaging debut novel.
🏛I’m going through a spell of legal and corporate set thrillers, so I was able to reach to How to Kill a Client by Joanna Jenkins which has been sitting on my review shelf for a year. This debut novel revolves around a complex murder mystery of a man who was disliked by many. The motives as well as the suspects were endless in this book’s case. It definitely kept me on my toes and my mind ticking over trying to work out who was responsible for Gavin's death. The plot was quite intricate overall, making it hard to pick the culprit. When the final curtain call came, I was surprised by the outcome, which I didn’t predict.
🏛How to Kill a Client features a multiple perspective form of narration and these shifts help provide an overview of the central murder case. Thanks to these standpoint variations we are given a unique insight into the corporate sphere and culture that is attached to this world. I don’t work in the corporate or legal field, so it was good to be exposed to a different form of employment to my own. Jenkins has inserted her own wealth of experience in this corner, which made the setting feel authentic and realistic. Linked to this are the potent themes that are present in the storyline. From power, control, manipulation, betrayal, revenge, misogyny, wealth, greed, lavish lifestyles, competition and commercialism, Jenkins covers a lot of ground here. Billed as a wickedly funny thriller with a fast pace, I did encounter some issues with the pace personally. However, I feel that Joanna Jenkins did a good job of presenting this corporate murder mystery tale.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫3.5 stars
🙏Thank you to @allenandunwin for the copy.
February 16, 2023
Thank you Allen & Unwin for sending us a copy to read and review.
The law firm was full of Brisbanes top lawyers.
Egos and power hungry career climbers at the helm.
Long hours and high revenue the main characteristics of the environment.
The client was a misogynist, violent and underhanded.
Treated his wife with disrespect and control, ruthless in his deals and seeking a lavish lifestyle to soothe his arrogance.
His sudden death was suspicious, revealing a litany of suspects who hated him enough to do the deed.
The female staff were treated with contempt, not valued and were easily disposed of.
A climb to the top was rare and the retention here precarious.
Until Ruth arrived.
Her skill, professionalism, connections and her determined prowess.
A mosaic of right and wrong in the high rise offices where the devious wear suits and have intelligence.
Wow what a read!
A murder I couldn’t solve, one that had me intrigued right through and a cast of well written characters, made this a great reading experience.
I will agree with the quote by Candice Fox as this author does give Grisham a run for his money and I’d say this is easily better than his last book.
The law firm was full of Brisbanes top lawyers.
Egos and power hungry career climbers at the helm.
Long hours and high revenue the main characteristics of the environment.
The client was a misogynist, violent and underhanded.
Treated his wife with disrespect and control, ruthless in his deals and seeking a lavish lifestyle to soothe his arrogance.
His sudden death was suspicious, revealing a litany of suspects who hated him enough to do the deed.
The female staff were treated with contempt, not valued and were easily disposed of.
A climb to the top was rare and the retention here precarious.
Until Ruth arrived.
Her skill, professionalism, connections and her determined prowess.
A mosaic of right and wrong in the high rise offices where the devious wear suits and have intelligence.
Wow what a read!
A murder I couldn’t solve, one that had me intrigued right through and a cast of well written characters, made this a great reading experience.
I will agree with the quote by Candice Fox as this author does give Grisham a run for his money and I’d say this is easily better than his last book.
January 7, 2024
This was a pretty good debut! Aussie authors just know how to do it!
This was an interesting crime thriller, I once I finally sat down and was able to just read, I kept going and finished it faster than I predicted I would! I loved the feisty female characters and humour (dark humour at times).
The writing was great start to finish!
I highly recommend this if your fans of John Grisham!
4 stars. ⭐️
This was an interesting crime thriller, I once I finally sat down and was able to just read, I kept going and finished it faster than I predicted I would! I loved the feisty female characters and humour (dark humour at times).
The writing was great start to finish!
I highly recommend this if your fans of John Grisham!
4 stars. ⭐️
April 18, 2023
For me personally, this book was very slow paced and dry. The story itself was great, it was just slow going getting through it. The author does an incredible job in making you loathe the man who is murdered in the book. I've joked that I'd have even killed him myself. The built hatred for him is what fueled me to get to the end of the book, needing to see who to congratulate for ridding the world of such a poisonous person. There are multiple errors/typos throughout the book, that took me out of the story. I also found the author's consistent use of large, in my opinion, unecessary words to be alienating. They are words few people would know and while I love learning new words, I do not want to continuously put my book down to look them up to be able to understand. Overall, the story was good and had me hooked.
April 18, 2023
This books starts out really slow and I almost gave up on it. It does pick up in the second half but it is not a triller it is a mystery at best. have to say that it does not paint a pretty picture of being a female lawyer in a law firm.
Reading this book you are going to wish for Gavin Jones death. There are so many people that wanted Gavin out of the way that you will have no idea who did it.
I am glad I stuck with this book as it turned out to be a good read.
Reading this book you are going to wish for Gavin Jones death. There are so many people that wanted Gavin out of the way that you will have no idea who did it.
I am glad I stuck with this book as it turned out to be a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2023
I defy anyone who denies that they can’t relate to or have at least worked with a number of characters in this entertaining who dunnit?? Set in a legal corporate world full of ladder climbing, high flying wannabes there are any number of available possible murderers. The victim the worst of them all. Very entertaining as long as you don’t take it too seriously!
March 18, 2023
This was a good book with interesting characters and storyline.....I definitely did not work out who the killer was until it was revealed. Whilst this is a solid book and well written it isnt one I would want to re-read as its interest is in the mystery and how it unfolds
April 12, 2023
3.5/5 stars. Ending was a bit anticlimactic.
October 14, 2023
Not even a 1 star. I was bored and ripped a page out to clean up my chickens poop.
December 7, 2025
A perfect 2.5 in my head, but rounded up for the novelty and delight of being set in BRISBANE !! I saw "shithouse lawyer" in the summary and borrowed the audiobook bc I was betting with myself that it would be an Aussie book, but I was soooo surprised and delighted by the Brisbane setting. Truly all those streets and suburbs have meaning to me.... wow. I think the overall structure wasn't my bag with the three main POVs and one occasional secondary character POV, I know that the book wanted to tell a broader story but I do think the individual characters and arcs suffered for this. The mystery was just ok to me, there was more setup and less actual mystery than I would have liked, but you did get the sense that was just what the book wanted to do. Some of those male lawyers seemed completely out of pocket cartoon villain levels of terrible, but one can never underestimate men really.... I did wince when one of the main female characters told her son to always support women though. Way to distill the complications of your workplace into the most boring three word slogan imaginable, Ruth....
The big law setting was fun ALTHOUGH I must say my secret shame and my biggest reaction to this book was at all the footy hate, you know how some people will spend too much time in yaoi circles on the internet and then come out saying Guys It's Actually Ok To Be STRAIGHT I Support The Straights #StraightPride wellllllll that was me with the footy in this book. Guys it's ok to love the broncos and suncorp stadium #oppressedfootyfansunite !!!!!!!! As we know, everyone hates the footy, but I am bravely coming out to say I love the footy.......... lmfao it's so silly but this was my authentic reaction!!!!! My MUM worked in big law in Sydney in the 90s and her company had a corporate box with the Rabbitohs when they were so dreadful that they would get kicked out of the comp in 2001 and she still became such a fan of the game that I am to this day a Rabbitohs supporter: WHERE is this representation!!! Important women's stories are being lost here.......... Ok scream I'll be serious again. There was one other moment relating to the big law setting which was interesting to me, where one of the POV characters reads the legal report/proposal of another character and has so many thoughts about how good and clever of a legal mind she has. Sorry to talk about my MUM again but her job now in civil service involves drafting legal advice to various parties and she will always talk about how she likes to run her advice past her boss because her boss has such a good and clever legal mind. In a way obviously it's a relatable experience, you admire someone, you think they're smart, but there's this element which feels totally beyond my comprehension where the central focus of your admiration is in their interaction with the law and legal statures. This book's moment had the same thing, it conveyed the admiration but I think that concrete sense of the law, of someone's personal treatment of the law, remains beyond me... It sounds weird maybe to say that I liked this moment where words sort of failed to close that gap between the broader, relatable emotions and the specificity of what caused them, but I did! I imagine this is what someone who doesn't care for academia will feel if I try to describe my admiration for a particular scholar. Some experiences are so specific that the words to describe them will only come through metaphor, through generalisation... that's interesting, that's fun.
The big law setting was fun ALTHOUGH I must say my secret shame and my biggest reaction to this book was at all the footy hate, you know how some people will spend too much time in yaoi circles on the internet and then come out saying Guys It's Actually Ok To Be STRAIGHT I Support The Straights #StraightPride wellllllll that was me with the footy in this book. Guys it's ok to love the broncos and suncorp stadium #oppressedfootyfansunite !!!!!!!! As we know, everyone hates the footy, but I am bravely coming out to say I love the footy.......... lmfao it's so silly but this was my authentic reaction!!!!! My MUM worked in big law in Sydney in the 90s and her company had a corporate box with the Rabbitohs when they were so dreadful that they would get kicked out of the comp in 2001 and she still became such a fan of the game that I am to this day a Rabbitohs supporter: WHERE is this representation!!! Important women's stories are being lost here.......... Ok scream I'll be serious again. There was one other moment relating to the big law setting which was interesting to me, where one of the POV characters reads the legal report/proposal of another character and has so many thoughts about how good and clever of a legal mind she has. Sorry to talk about my MUM again but her job now in civil service involves drafting legal advice to various parties and she will always talk about how she likes to run her advice past her boss because her boss has such a good and clever legal mind. In a way obviously it's a relatable experience, you admire someone, you think they're smart, but there's this element which feels totally beyond my comprehension where the central focus of your admiration is in their interaction with the law and legal statures. This book's moment had the same thing, it conveyed the admiration but I think that concrete sense of the law, of someone's personal treatment of the law, remains beyond me... It sounds weird maybe to say that I liked this moment where words sort of failed to close that gap between the broader, relatable emotions and the specificity of what caused them, but I did! I imagine this is what someone who doesn't care for academia will feel if I try to describe my admiration for a particular scholar. Some experiences are so specific that the words to describe them will only come through metaphor, through generalisation... that's interesting, that's fun.
February 25, 2024
How to Kill a Client is painfully slow off the mark and took roughly 180 pages to become interesting (hint: that is waaay too long!). The book does speed up towards the end and does become more interesting, but it suffers badly from a drawn-out start and slow character / story development. It also doesn't help that, within five minutes, we all know the dead guy was hated by everyone and they all want him gone, which means that, no matter who the killer is, the reveal seems obvious and understandable. This book is written like the author didn't really have a plan or conclusion in mind until about halfway through, which is when things finally feel like they have a purpose and a goal. Worst book I've read? No. But would I recommend it? Not really.
September 5, 2023
[IN PROGRESS]
An engrossing and entertaining read.
Sydney-based litigation partner Ruth Dawson has temporarily relocated to Howard Greene’s Brisbane office to run a lengthy trial, and provides an outsider’s perspective on the personalities of and conflicts between the Brisbane-based partners. Unexpectedly widowed only a year previously, the move to Brisbane also provides Ruth the opportunity to consider whether she’s satisfied with her life, and what the future may hold.
An engrossing and entertaining read.
Sydney-based litigation partner Ruth Dawson has temporarily relocated to Howard Greene’s Brisbane office to run a lengthy trial, and provides an outsider’s perspective on the personalities of and conflicts between the Brisbane-based partners. Unexpectedly widowed only a year previously, the move to Brisbane also provides Ruth the opportunity to consider whether she’s satisfied with her life, and what the future may hold.
October 10, 2025
Gavin works in the legal department of international company. He was a cruel person, had many affairs and was a misogynist. Men loved him but the women in his life hated him. Then he suddenly dies and it looks like murder. He was a horrible person so who killed him?
I enjoyed it. It was fast paced and the ending kept me guessing. Definitely one I would recommend.
I enjoyed it. It was fast paced and the ending kept me guessing. Definitely one I would recommend.
January 8, 2025
Great work for a debut novel.
The visceral reactions I had whilst reading rang home how well constructed the characters are, and well paced the story is.
Keep an eye on Joanna Jenkins!
The visceral reactions I had whilst reading rang home how well constructed the characters are, and well paced the story is.
Keep an eye on Joanna Jenkins!
February 5, 2023
Great read. Got a kick out of it being set in Australia. Recognised some of the characters. Was a super quick read (in a good way). I hope this is the beginning of a long writing career.
February 5, 2023
This was funnier than I thought it would be but also twisty enough to satisfy the most brutal crime fiction buff. Don't wish I could have my time back so 🤷♀️
January 8, 2025
I've owned a copy of "How to kill a client" for almost 2 years. The title caught my attention than as I was at the checkout, the QBD cashier went "it's signed by the author" and screw it.. first book I've brought that had an author signed copy on the shelf.
It's cool to read another brisbane/Queensland based author. It feels like a little secret club of qld authors, especially since I've been mostly reading american authors. 😅
Ooh..I like how the prologue is very specific to Brisbane, with mentioning where the River to Botanic Garden view is. My mind instantly went to all the offices that are located in the CBD area on the short walk to the gardens.
Of course, Suncorp Stadium is mentioned. 😂
Either I hadn't had a enough sleep - not surprising, or something else..but were the full stops diamond shaped? Cause I swear i was tripping and it was slightly distracting. They reminded me of fancy bullet points.
The dialogue in this felt repeative at some times, while also feeling very written rather than natural.
I've discovered a pet peeve, this is the second book I've read that I've noticed this in and it kinda feels unprofessional. Having text in brackets, especially in a 3rd person story. It just reminds me of all the author notes I read in fanfics and seeing it in a traditional published book is so off putting.
I don't know the first thing about lawyers except what I've seen on TV but my God.. the lawyers in this book feel like they've never outgrown their highschool mentality of cliques, back stabbing and "I'm better than you" scarasms. By page 100, I was over it.
At page 180 I was struggling to see the crime/mystery ascept of this book. The cover says "everyone wanted him gone but who killed him?" Yet 180 pages in, no one's dead. Okay fine in the prologue they are but the rest onwards no. So far it's about everyone back stabbing and hating co-workers, which seems standard for most work places. This is just grr with grown adults acting like children.
I know i read books before/after work and sometimes I'm too exhausted to think straight, but there's some sentences in this book that I had to reread several times to try to understand. As well as a few grammatical errors here or there, like light saber is spelt wrong.
Page 213 is when we're finally introduced to the victims death. Dude..there's like a 100 something pages left. What makes it worse is that page makes it seem as if it was a common occurrence death rather than the big murder that prologue made it seem like.
Having "gaol" instead of jail seems like an odd choice of wording for such a modern story.
Overall it's not what I excepted it to be. I just feel like the sole focus was on domestic violence, childish behaviour from grown adults and misogynistic behaviour within the backdrop of Brisbane.
It's cool to read another brisbane/Queensland based author. It feels like a little secret club of qld authors, especially since I've been mostly reading american authors. 😅
Ooh..I like how the prologue is very specific to Brisbane, with mentioning where the River to Botanic Garden view is. My mind instantly went to all the offices that are located in the CBD area on the short walk to the gardens.
Of course, Suncorp Stadium is mentioned. 😂
Either I hadn't had a enough sleep - not surprising, or something else..but were the full stops diamond shaped? Cause I swear i was tripping and it was slightly distracting. They reminded me of fancy bullet points.
The dialogue in this felt repeative at some times, while also feeling very written rather than natural.
I've discovered a pet peeve, this is the second book I've read that I've noticed this in and it kinda feels unprofessional. Having text in brackets, especially in a 3rd person story. It just reminds me of all the author notes I read in fanfics and seeing it in a traditional published book is so off putting.
I don't know the first thing about lawyers except what I've seen on TV but my God.. the lawyers in this book feel like they've never outgrown their highschool mentality of cliques, back stabbing and "I'm better than you" scarasms. By page 100, I was over it.
At page 180 I was struggling to see the crime/mystery ascept of this book. The cover says "everyone wanted him gone but who killed him?" Yet 180 pages in, no one's dead. Okay fine in the prologue they are but the rest onwards no. So far it's about everyone back stabbing and hating co-workers, which seems standard for most work places. This is just grr with grown adults acting like children.
I know i read books before/after work and sometimes I'm too exhausted to think straight, but there's some sentences in this book that I had to reread several times to try to understand. As well as a few grammatical errors here or there, like light saber is spelt wrong.
Page 213 is when we're finally introduced to the victims death. Dude..there's like a 100 something pages left. What makes it worse is that page makes it seem as if it was a common occurrence death rather than the big murder that prologue made it seem like.
Having "gaol" instead of jail seems like an odd choice of wording for such a modern story.
Overall it's not what I excepted it to be. I just feel like the sole focus was on domestic violence, childish behaviour from grown adults and misogynistic behaviour within the backdrop of Brisbane.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2023
Would have given if 4 stars but used lots of uncommon adjectives, which I had to be look up if I wanted to know exact meaning (and not just extrapolate, I like to know). It felt like the author used her thesaurus when writing the book to find new and big words. I am an avid reader and well-educated but found the use of so many of these annoying. Enjoyed the story itself, would read another book but would like less of these words.
July 14, 2023
Read in two days as this was such an easy but interesting read. I was initially unsure if I'd like this one, but the more I read the less I could put it down. Interesting characters, tricky but not stupid 'who dunnit' storyline and for me a delightfully recognisable setting of Brisbane City. I enjoyed the not knowing but feeling like the author has included the reader without holding back trump cards. Definitely a good read!
April 26, 2024
UQLS BOOK CLUB BOOK #2
Thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the characters, but did not love the writing.
I truly hope the legal profession has improved in terms of sexism and misogyny since joanna worked at ashurst. wild.
Thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the characters, but did not love the writing.
I truly hope the legal profession has improved in terms of sexism and misogyny since joanna worked at ashurst. wild.
June 1, 2023
the pacing was way too slow for me and I was constantly getting bored with this one :(
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