The Trial by Rob Rinder

 

When high profile police officer Grant Cliveden is poisoned at the beginning of a trial suspicion falls on career criminal Jimmy Knight. Jimmy has history with Cliveden. He claims that Cliveden framed him for armed robbery, resulting in a ten year prison sentence. Knight had only been out of prison for two weeks when he met Cliveden for a drink; hours later Cliveden was dead. Trainee barrister Adam Green is the only person who believes Knight’s claims that he is innocent.

I really was pleasantly surprised by The Trial, it wasn’t the cosy mystery I was expecting, instead it’s a well plotted legal thriller that constantly has you wondering who are the villains and who are the heroes.

There is a great opening chapter which really pulls you in. Right from the start you’re told the heroic police officer who threw himself in front of a bullet to save the Queen’s life is going to die, and by the end of the chapter he’s dead. After saving the Queen’s life, Grant Cliveden has become a national hero and risen through the police ranks. There was something about his swaggering demeanour I just didn’t like.

When Jimmy Knight is arrested for the murder he insists on his barrister being Jonathan Taylor-Green. Jonathan was once a brilliant advocate but has become jaded, he’s far more interested in easy money and his numerous girlfriends. Much of the work needed for his cases is left to trainee barrister Adam Green. This has you seriously questioning why Jimmy Knight would insist on a barrister who really isn't at the top of his game.

Despite his barrister suggesting he should plead guilty since all the evidence is against him Knight refuses to do so. Thankfully Adam believes him and seems determined to find evidence to support his not guilty plea. Things are made more difficult though as Knight seems reluctant to provide any help.

The character of Adam Green really drives the story forward. He is full of self-doubt, much of it stemming from his own tragic background, but is determined to leave no stone unturned to get at the truth. The more Adam digs, the murkier the story becomes and you begin to question who is the criminal.

I really do hope that this is the start of a series, I’d love to see more of Adam Green, he’s a really engaging character. I’d also like to see how some of the other barristers get on, and more importantly I’d like to see Jonathan Taylor-Green get his comeuppance.

The Trial by Rob Rinder will be published on 22^nd June 2023 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for a review copy.