This Jury Is Guilty by Laurie Blake

 

Danny Scott, a member of an acting dynasty, is on trial for the attempted murder of his wife. The whole world is gripped by events, but, what no-one knows is that the jury has been infiltrated by someone with an ulterior motive.

This Jury Is Guilty by Laurie Blake is engrossing. It's one of those books that, no sooner had I put it down, that I wanted to pick it up again to see what the thrilling next twist would be. Set in an American courtroom, it was easy to visualise everything that was happening, thanks to the many legal TV dramas we can view. In fact, it felt very much like I was watching one of those dramas.

Initially, we meet Dee McCallister, juror number 6. Very early on we learn that she's not who she claims to be and that she has a hidden agenda. The author keeps you in suspense for quite a while regarding her true identity and her reason for wanting so desperately to be involved in the trial of the century. 

As the narrative continues, three other POVs are introduced, all members of the jury. Once again, they all have personal reasons for wanting to be part of the trial, reasons which slowly unfold. You do have to suspend disbelief slightly, as we learn of the lengths some of them have gone to in order to find their way onto the jury, but it all adds to the overall excitement and tension.

The trial is being livestreamed. Therefore, there is a media frenzy surrounding the accused and his victim, another Hollywood star. As I read, I was put very much in mind of a recent court case involving two celebrities and the polarising effect it had on the public. Through the book we see how perception is manipulated by publicists, and that the wealthy can use money to make problems disappear.

By the conclusion, I was undecided whether the accused was guilty of the crime he was on trial for. However, thanks to the backstories of the jurors, I know what verdict I wanted to see. As the final decision of the jury was announced, I was shocked, but thanks to a final twist, I felt that karma had come calling.

This Jury Is Guilty by Laurie Blake will be published on 3rd November 2026 in paperback, ebook, and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Headline for a review copy.

Author Details

Laurie Blake is the author of character-driven book club thrillers that blend psychological suspense with twisty, page-turning plots. Away from her desk, Laurie can usually be found running, taking long walks with her dog, or chasing the perfect cup of coffee.