Wade Darling is accused of murdering his family. Days before the trial his lawyer dies and the case is handed to Neve Harper. She is keen to win until she is threatened with her darkest secret being exposed if she does…
Conviction is a legal thriller with strong psychological elements.
What a fab moral dilemma! Neve has a guilty conscience and now her secret gives others a hold over her. Her stepdaughter’s life is threatened too but to save them both she has to throw the case. Easier said than done as she has to look like she is doing a good job at defending Wade to avoiding casting suspicion on herself.
Neve wrangles with her conscience as she has to decide between her professional reputation and the danger to her family. The emotional turmoil she faces is easy to identify with and makes her very human even if we don’t agree with her choices.
There is plenty of drama and I loved the legal elements as the court case proceeds. The twists and turns of the trial were brought to life effectively and this felt really authentic. The blackmail is unpleasant and innocent people are caught in the crossfire which adds to the drama and tension. I thought that the atmosphere was maintained well and I was completely swept up in the plot. The ending left a final twist which was fab!
Conviction is a tense and gripping read.
Book blurb:
TO STEAL A MAN’S FREEDOM ALL IT TAKES IS . . . CONVICTION
Wade Darling stands accused of killing his wife and teenage children as they slept before burning the family home to the ground.
When the case lands on barrister Neve Harper’s desk, she knows it could be the career making case she’s been waiting for. But only if she can prove Wade’s innocence.
A matter of days before the case, as Neve is travelling home for the night, she is approached by a man. He tells her she must lose this case or the secret about her own husband’s disappearance will be revealed.
Failing that, he will kill everyone she cares about until she follows orders.
Neve must make a choice – betray every principle she has ever had by putting a potentially innocent man in prison, or risk putting those she loves in mortal danger.
For fans of Steve Cavanagh, Linwood Barclay and Gillian McAllister, introducing the latest novel from the master of the moral dilemma, Jack Jordan.