A gripping debut where loyalty fractures, motives blur, and a murder trial becomes a test of identity.
I love a legal thriller, and Jo Murray’s debut promised the sort of courtroom tension I usually gravitate towards. What I didn’t anticipate was how quickly I’d be sucked into Leila Reynolds’s world. I was hooked by that familiar spark of curiosity right from the first few chapters, although the start is a bit slow. But once the trial starts the book gets really good, and is actually interesting.
The premise is immediately interesting. Leila is a junior barrister and her first murder case is a high-profile case defending Jack Millman who has been charged with the murder of a respected judge. Jack won’t speak but demands Leila to speak for him. Only there’s a catch: the prosecutor is Leila’s husband and former mentor, Julian. Their marriage and professional history colour every interaction, and I found myself constantly re-evaluating their dynamic as the case progressed. Leila’s chapters are interspersed with those of Witness X, whose voice offers a darker, more unsettling thread that slowly links up with the main story.
As a story, the book is about ambition and trust and the kinds of stories we tell ourselves so that we can survive. I could understand Leila’s internal conflict, especially as her personal life began to intrude on her professional responsibilities. The novel also explores the fact that truth is rarely simple. I was repeatedly reminded that we can never know fully the motivation of another person.
The courtroom drama worked best for me. Murray has a good ear for the rhythm of a trial. The examinations, objections and strategic manoeuvring seemed real without ever feeling heavy. I also liked that the plot was twisty. I was expecting one or two twists, but the last one took me by surprise. The ending is brave and will be divisive. I initially thought it was clever, but the more I’m thinking about, the more unsure I am!
The characters aren’t always the easiest to love, and the cast sometimes feels a little thin, but the tension and momentum kept me engaged. There is much here to appeal to fans of British crime fiction, psychological suspense or legal procedurals. Stylish, layered and surprisingly emotional at times.
Dissection of a Murder delivered everything I wanted in a legal thriller in the end. It kept me guessing, kept me thinking and reminded me why this genre is such a pleasure to sink into.
Thank you to Pan MacMillan SA for the opportunity to read this book.
