Dissection Of A Murder by Jo Murray

 

Barrister Leila Reynolds is given a career-defining case to defend, that of a man who is accused of murdering a crown court judge. Two things stand in her way: the accused refuses to say anything, and the prosecuting barrister is her husband.

I've wanted to read Dissection Of A Murder by Jo Murray ever since early reviews started appearing online. Not only is the author from my neck of the woods, but it's great to see a legal thriller set in the north-east.

The prologue draws you in, entices you with intrigue, and offers the hint of mitigation. You are immediately desperate to know more about the mysterious events. The storyline then moves rapidly as we are introduced to the main characters and the plot is explained. Jack Millman, a bouncer at a nightclub, is accused of the murder of Anton Smythe, a crown court judge. Jack refuses to say anything other than that he wants Leila Reynolds to defend him. 

Leila is a successful barrister, but she has never been involved in a murder case before. She struggles to understand why Jack would request her. We soon discover that Leila has defended Jack before, unsuccessfully. Maybe this is her chance to make things right. The outlook looks bleak, though; not only is Jack refusing to cooperate with his legal team, but the prosecution is to be led by the highly experienced Julian Kesler, her husband.

I loved the friction that was introduced by having a husband and wife on opposing sides of a legal case; it was illuminating to see how they separated their personal and professional lives. Julian did not come across as a particularly likeable character; having been Leila's mentor, he cannot accept that she will ever be his equal or superior. 

As the date of the trial quickly approaches, Leila suspects she is being stalked by someone she was close to in the past, someone who could upset the life she has built. It is never quite clear who this mysterious person is, which all adds to the puzzle. A stalker, a desperate search for answers, a personal life spiralling out of control, and a man who remains tight-lipped all keep the story moving at a rapid pace. Although I'd guessed the major twist early on, I couldn't quite figure out how all the pieces slotted together. As the conclusion approached, I was shocked by each revelation, and I did enjoy the way in which the story ended.

Author Details

Jo grew up in Teesside during the 90s when working class girls were told they probably shouldn’t try to become barristers. Thankfully, she ignored everyone. After studying Classics at Newcastle University, she went to law school and did just that. Jo was a criminal barrister before leaving the profession to look after her two children. She lives in North Yorkshire.