One of the endorsements for Murray’s legal mystery printed in the front of the book praises the book as “a thriller with a twist that is both shocking and entirely valid.” Hmm. I had the opposite reaction, and wasn’t going to write a review. But after reading so many over-the-top endorsements for the book, I knew I had to write something. So here goes.
Leila is a barrister and a member of a prestigious chambers where her husband, Julian, is a “silk,” the moniker for a barrister who has reached the level of a KC, King’s Counsel. Before they were married, Julian was Leila’s pupilmaster, who trained her and nurtured her. Now they will face off in the courtroom in a high profile trial that has the entire country’s attention.
Jack Millman is accused of killing Anton Smythe, a crown court judge. The two men had an encounter in Millman’s apartment located over Temptation, a men’s club in the center of Durham. Owned by millionaire Edward Sorrington, the club advertises itself as as a high-end venue, but it’s known as a place where dirty deals go down.
When Leila is given a new brief by the chamber’s clerk, Jim, she’s taken aback. Millman has specifically asked her to represent him, even though the last time she did, he got two years in prison. Leila is even more set against taking on the case when she finds out Julian has signed on for the prosecution.
Chester, the head of chambers, tells Leila she’s more than up for the job. Even Julian is encouraging. But Leila knows how Julian operates and knows he won’t cut her any breaks. The job becomes even more difficult when she meets with Millman. He refuses to answer any of her questions which would allow her to put together a workable defense. Instead, he wants to plead not guilty and be called to the stand at the end of the trial to testify. Then, he tells her, he will detail what happened and who actually killed the judge.
Millman’s obstinance complicates Leila’s job. Right off the bat, she’s at odds with her husband, telling him she won’t be putting forth a defense statement. Millman tells Leila what happened involves high level individuals. Anything he tells her now, will allow these powerful people to circle the wagons and make sure he’s found guilty. Withholding what really happened is the only way he can protect himself and win his freedom.
The story is told primarily through Leila’s voice, but throughout the novel we hear from Witness X, who dispenses rules for how to outsmart everyone, lessons taught by her abusive father. In the midst of the trial, Leila begins getting threatening messages, someone from her past who knows things that could damage her marriage and her career. While remaining cautious, Leila has to give her full attention to the trial, working with Millman’s solicitor, Davina.
No surprise that Leila’s marriage to Julian begins to suffer. Even though she knows she’s crossing a line, she begins breaking into his office at home, the one he keeps locked, and going though his trial pages. Overhearing him on his cellphone, she also suspects he’s having an affair.
Leila has always had a difficult relationship with Julian’s ex-wife, Sienna, who has remarried. Now that she’s wary of Julian, she seeks advice from Sienna. And when Leila really needs a refuge, she visits Julian’s mother, Audrey, who is suffering from dementia.
I tore through these chapters. Murray keeps building the tension in the lead up to Millman’s testimony. And what he has to say certainly turns things upside down.
Then comes the twist, and it’s a big one. Unexpected, for sure. Readers love to be surprised, but my reaction was that I was tricked. No, I didn’t see it coming and, despite what one person endorsing the book said, I didn’t find the ending credible.
Apparently Apple TV has bought the rights and it will be turned into a film or series. I won’t watch. Trick me once, OK. Not twice.
Dissection of a Murder
Jo Murray
Top Bigstock photo by AnnekaS
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