#19. A Buddy Read – The Trial by Rob Rinder (Kindle)

I’ll admit that when I initially saw the release of this book, I thought, “not another celeb writing a book” but then my niece said she’d read it and enjoyed it; and so this challenge became the perfect excuse to read the book and an opportunity to discuss it with someone afterwards. I confess, I enjoyed reading the book and I’m now looking forward to reading book two and seeing Adam Green progress in his career. Rob Rinder has stuck to what he knows, being a barrister, a Jewish mother, and being charming and witty. It all adds up to an engaging read from start to finish. 

“When hero policeman Grant Cliveden dies from a poisoning in the Old Bailey, it threatens to shake the country to its core.

The evidence points to one man. Jimmy Knight has been convicted of multiple offences before and defending him will be no easy task. Not least because this is trainee barrister Adam Green's first case.

But it will quickly become clear that Jimmy Knight is not the only person in Cliveden's past with an axe to grind.

The only thing that's certain is that this is a trial which will push Adam - and the justice system itself - to the limit. . .”

 

Both legal thriller and courtroom drama, ‘The Trial’ is an engrossing read from someone who obviously knows a lot about the subject matter. Whilst the book looks at the dark side of corruption and justice within the legal system, it has a bright energy running through it, with engaging characters, enormous wit and a clever and unusual style of murder.

Beloved national hero (he once saved the Queen) DI Grant Clivedon is about to give his testimony in a major drug case at the Old Bailey, when he dramatically collapses and dies. Jimmy Knight has just been released from a ten-year stretch in prison for committing armed robbery. Co-incidence? Jimmy has history with the deceased and reports show that he met Clivedon in a pub only hours before he died. Perhaps Jimmy slipped a slow-release poison in Clivedon’s pint; at least that was going to be the working theory despite there being no tangible evidence linking Jimmy to the incident.

Heading up Jimmy’s defence team is Jonathan Taylor-Cameron, aided by pupil barrister Adam Green. Whilst Jonathan wants Jimmy to plead guilty, so he can try to turn over the case quickly in favour of wealthier clients, Adam is convinced that Jimmy is innocent and tries to gather sufficient evidence to prove it. Jonathon is non too pleased and is happy to leave Adam to do all the legwork whilst he pursues other interests.

“This was how it happened, wasn’t it, thought Adam. Clever lawyers, too lazy or too busy or simply too cynical to fight for a client’s innocence, tried to bamboozle them into sacrificing their freedom in the name of expediency.”

Adam is such a likeable character; you just want to reach through the pages and give him a hug when things aren’t quite working out for him. I loved reading about the dynamics he shared with the other barristers at Stag Chamber and pondered whether these people were based on folk Rob may have worked with at the start of his law career.

I enjoyed the courtroom setting, and it was interesting viewing a crime novel through the eyes of a barrister as opposed to those of a detective. As a pupil barrister, Adam is essentially doing a year-long apprenticeship to become a member of the Bar, and therefore it’s important he doesn’t mess up this opportunity. These insights in the book about the competition and rivalries that take place between fellow pupil barristers is fascinating. Also interesting are the descriptions of the Old Bailey, and an insider’s eye as to how Barristers go about  their day-to-day work. (Although it is worrying if it is a complete lottery as to whether you find yourself with a good barrister if you aren’t wealthy!)

Thankfully Rinder has also given Adam a life outside of Chambers to lighten the mood, or at least, he has given Adam a mother who constantly worries about her son. I really enjoyed reading the telephone conversations between her and Adam that popped up throughout the book. I was laughing as poor Adam had to endure her interfering and her desire to try to find him a girlfriend, and it reminded the reader that this was just a young man, trying his best to do what was right, whilst negotiating the cut and thrust rivalry for a tenancy.

“A crime happened, someone paid the price. Did it really matter who paid it, or simply that the price was extracted, somehow? Did justice really come down to the simple binary of guilty or not guilty? Even if you thought it did, written into the choice was the assumption that no one was ever, truly, innocent.”

As the storyline develops, Adam uncovers a less honest side to the late DI Grant Clivedon which would shock those who thought he was beyond corruption. Adam has been told repeatedly “Don’t get personally involved…” but it is hard for him not to. He knows he needs to focus as his future at Chambers is at stake, but all the information he has gathered leaves him wondering whether Jimmy is innocent or whether he will be able to convince the jury.

I really enjoyed Rob’s writing style. The book feels pacey but not rushed, with its intricate plot and array of interesting characters. It isn’t a gritty courtroom drama, but Rob Rinder has penned an intriguing storyline with plenty of twists and turns and a lovely humorous touch. If you want a book that is pure entertainment, but also gives an insight into the legal world of a barrister, then this is it. It is a light, easy, enjoyable read.

 

Genre: Crime, Mystery, Legal Thriller, Law, Fiction,

Release Date: 22^nd June 2023

Publisher: Penguin

Pages: 358

“Disclosure: If you buy books linked to this site, I may earn a small commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops, at no extra cost to you.”