| Publisher | Bloodhound Books |
|---|---|
| Date Published | 18 December 2023 |
| ISBN-10 | 1916978142 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1916978140 |
| Format | paperback |
| Pages | 436 |
| Price | £ 11.99 |
Indefensible
by
1993. A barrister newly elevated to QC is thrilled to receive a brief for a well-publicised case, but the bond he forms with his client turns out to be a serious mistake.
Review
Indefensible is an interesting debut novel, a thriller built around a murder trial at the Old Bailey. The protagonist, barrister Daniel O’Neil, feels that his growing experience would justify a more glamorous class of case, so when he gets the brief for a murder, featuring a head found floating in the Thames, he is very happy.
The year is 1993. The accused is Rod Bannister, said to have lured a former school classmate to his home, murdered him and then disposed of the body. The prosecution builds up what appears to be a very compelling case, based on multiple buttressed pieces of circumstantial evidence. Daniel is, however, persuasive in convincing the jury that this evidence is insufficient to be sure of Rod’s guilt.
This part of the book will delight those who enjoy the trial process; the boring parts are trimmed away, leaving just the crucial bits of evidence, cross-examination and speeches by counsel and judge. Key elements of the procedure are emphasised, and the reader can make their own assessment as to whether justice has been done and (what is quite a different matter) whether the truth has been revealed.
It is evident that Daniel is a skilled advocate, but in other parts of his life he is less successful. He is separated from his wife and three children, and forms a relationship with Michaela, a journalist, although this is of a strangely distant variety. Nonetheless, the pair marry, and for a short while no problems arise, but then an old boyfriend of Michaela’s surfaces and Daniel begins to suspect his wife is being unfaithful.
In his distress, Daniel turns to his only friend, Rod. Following his acquittal, Rod and Daniel have shared a curry or two, and have become buddies, at one point taking a holiday together in Barcelona. All this is very unprofessional, of course, but things take a sinister turn when Daniel asks Rod to spy on Michaela to ascertain whether his suspicions are justified.
Daniel is close to a breakdown when Rod tells him the truth, and in a drunken conversation a certain understanding, or misunderstanding, is reached. What follows confirmed my worst fears, and Daniel is once again forced to rely on his advocacy skills.
I found Rod highly dubious notwithstanding the court verdict, and I spent much of the book urging Daniel to beware. His lack of caution is believable, however, as he is presented as a character seemingly finding it difficult to empathise with others even though at court his understanding of the minutiae of behaviour is crucial to his success.
This subtle portrait makes the whole thing believable, including the nightmarish quality of the last third of the book.
The year is 1993. The accused is Rod Bannister, said to have lured a former school classmate to his home, murdered him and then disposed of the body. The prosecution builds up what appears to be a very compelling case, based on multiple buttressed pieces of circumstantial evidence. Daniel is, however, persuasive in convincing the jury that this evidence is insufficient to be sure of Rod’s guilt.
This part of the book will delight those who enjoy the trial process; the boring parts are trimmed away, leaving just the crucial bits of evidence, cross-examination and speeches by counsel and judge. Key elements of the procedure are emphasised, and the reader can make their own assessment as to whether justice has been done and (what is quite a different matter) whether the truth has been revealed.
It is evident that Daniel is a skilled advocate, but in other parts of his life he is less successful. He is separated from his wife and three children, and forms a relationship with Michaela, a journalist, although this is of a strangely distant variety. Nonetheless, the pair marry, and for a short while no problems arise, but then an old boyfriend of Michaela’s surfaces and Daniel begins to suspect his wife is being unfaithful.
In his distress, Daniel turns to his only friend, Rod. Following his acquittal, Rod and Daniel have shared a curry or two, and have become buddies, at one point taking a holiday together in Barcelona. All this is very unprofessional, of course, but things take a sinister turn when Daniel asks Rod to spy on Michaela to ascertain whether his suspicions are justified.
Daniel is close to a breakdown when Rod tells him the truth, and in a drunken conversation a certain understanding, or misunderstanding, is reached. What follows confirmed my worst fears, and Daniel is once again forced to rely on his advocacy skills.
I found Rod highly dubious notwithstanding the court verdict, and I spent much of the book urging Daniel to beware. His lack of caution is believable, however, as he is presented as a character seemingly finding it difficult to empathise with others even though at court his understanding of the minutiae of behaviour is crucial to his success.
This subtle portrait makes the whole thing believable, including the nightmarish quality of the last third of the book.
Reviewed 26 February 2024 by Chris Roberts
