This is an extremely clever, well-written novel about every side of a court case – one that’s focused on the murder of an old man in an alleyway, the accused three teen boys who are more likely to throw shade on one another than tell the truth.
It’s also slightly depressing, but we’ll get onto that.
The Cut Throat Trial features numerous points of view – barristers, judge and accused, so that we get a well-rounded view of every aspect of the trial.
It’s quite densely written in its cleverness and I found the beginning quite tough to get into. But once I’d made an initial breakthrough and connected to a couple of characters, I was firmly in til the end. The case is brutal, very of the moment, and one in which there are no true winners. I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters and their foibles, and thought they were all brought to life very niftly.
It’s a dark story, and the truth of it comes out right at the end – changing everything – or maybe not. Sorry for the vagueness, but it’s ultimately a story of failed youths. Very good. And just a little depressing in its realness.
Would certainly read this author again!
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