I was blown away by this legal thriller, which featured a fascinating case, great characters and a wonderful backstory, which will continue to be developed as the series progresses. I simply can't wait for number 2!

It is a courtroom drama but it is so much more. I like the idea of a protagonist who has been through the system and is seen as an outsider. It's a plot device that has been used before but I enjoyed this approach. That sets it above more mundane exponents of the genre.

The lawyer in me was attracted to the title and striking cover of Summary Justice, which led me to expect this to be about a legal battle against all the odds, even though unfamiliar with the author’s name. (Which as it turns out is a pen name.) Once I read the following blurb, I knew I had to read it.

You can’t get much more flawed as a criminal lawyer than if you’ve been convicted of murder, so even before you know much more about William Benson, you wonder why he did what he did, if he even did what he was convicted of, and why he’s now back in court but this time as counsel. He’s an intriguing character and one that we start to get to know throughout Summary Justice. I say start, because as this is the first book in an intended series, the reader won’t know everything by the end, even if the story threads are tidied up neatly enough to satisfy most readers while still leaving some unanswered questions to ponder until the next book in the series comes out.

It’s also interesting for two characters to have a past connection or shared history and meet years later, especially if there’s a shift in the dynamic as here. When William Benson and Tess de Vere first met, one was the defendant in a murder trial, the other a law student taken to court to observe law in practice. When they next meet, it’s after he’s studied law while serving some of his sentence, and is today not only out on licence but qualified as a barrister. Tess is also qualified, but as a solicitor rather than barrister, and she’s making a name for herself, currently in a respected London law firm. Although they’re both technically and professionally on the same side of the law now, it seems a part of William Benson will forever be classed, and treated, differently. Despite his apparent rehabilitation, some will always see the criminal in him, the murderer, and nothing beyond that.

If Summary Justice has such a memorable backstory, the present-day case also needs to be a good one so it’s not overshadowed, and it certainly is that. A single mother with a disabled son accused of murder in what appears to be an open and shut case. But nothing’s ever that straightforward and with only days to go before trial, Tess joins forces with Benson and his equally unusual clerk to delve deeper into it and come up with some answers, and a defence for their client.

Thanks to the author having practised as a barrister, the courtroom scenes in Summary Justice are realistic and more true to life than most other depictions in fiction or on film or TV these days. With his case management and defence, Benson operates within the law he’s come to know so well, and hints at the extensive reading he’s done in medical journals and other reports impacting his field of criminal law. The court room scenes are dramatic but well-measured and paced; Benson’s own observations and people-watching skills honed during his time inside only adding to the intrigue and keeping the reader guessing as to whether his client is innocent or guilty, or which one of the other possible scenarios might be the real explanation for what’s gone on here.

Added to this realism, Tess, Benson and his clerk also get to play detective outside the confines of his chambers and the courtroom. No one else is willing to help them with the case, which seems to have a foregone conclusion, so it’s credible here that they have to do this legwork themselves in order to find an alternative explanation for what happened. Especially when their client is holding things back.

Summary Justice introduces the reader to an unusual set of characters and a new dynamic in the pairing of Benson and Tess, which I’m eager to read more of in their next case, so cleverly introduced towards the end of this novel. I enjoy books about people who don’t conform to society’s norms, and I certainly found that here in the two main characters, as well as those secondary characters who come into their worlds for either personal or professional reasons. These are interesting characters and this is a new series with a compelling first case, and the promise of an equally fascinating follow-up, which I’m excited to have read when it’s just starting out. I’m intrigued to see where it goes, and what insights into the characters and their motivations subsequent books and their cases bring.

Summary Justice is a new legal high and I can’t wait for my next fix of Benson and de Vere. Get your seat in the public gallery now, this is one courtroom drama you won’t want to miss.

Thoroughly enjoyed this legal thriller from John Fairfax (AKA William Broderick) it was full of bang on addictive quality, clever plotting and intriguing fascinating characters.

Our main two, Will and Tess have an emotional start to their interaction when Will is convicted of murder. Years later, having served his time and taken on the law as a career (not that easy with a murder conviction) Tess comes across him again - and again decides to help him. The levels of both characters are explored slowly but surely within the plot for this and that was one of my favourite things about it. I was drawn to these two for very different reasons.

Then there was the trial elements which were highly engaging and very twisty - as was the whole story surrounding Sarah Collingstone, in the dock accused of murdering her employer. John Fairfax throws a lot of curve balls at his protagonists, keeping the plot unpredictable and fast flowing, whilst also managing to keep a firm eye on developing the background plot of whether or not William Benson is in fact a murderer himself.

Key to this being so much fun to read were the little legal explanations of why things can or can't happen (I can't speak to the authenticity in reality of course but the authors background would suggest he knows what he is doing and it certainly FELT authentic) that kept your understanding of the legal maneuvers easy but without taking you out of the story or feeling lectured (believe me that is a huge plus) you felt like you were there on the ground so to speak, excellent stuff.

As a start to the series it was spot on - you learn so much about Will, about Tess, about those around them but there is a lot still to know - I'm genuinely looking forward to another instalment and hopefully finding out more. Both the main characters are brilliantly drawn, both have fascinating paths to where we find them here, both have a lot more to say.

As a legal mystery Summary Justice works very well indeed. As a character drama it is perhaps even better, put the two together and you have a genuinely absorbing and captivating read that I will happily recommend.

Lets have more!

A clever and original book written by ostensibly an author new to this genre, but who is actually a QC. The premise is clever and attention grabbing. A man wrongly accused of murder i convicted and after his release on parole sets himself up as a lawyer. Initially shunned he is supported by an ex-trainee lawyer who had been at his original trial for murder.

Well written, original and with characters and a plot which draw you in this is a book that deserves attention and will appeal to all aficionados of legal thrillers.

This was a fast paced English legal thriller with a twist, perfect for fans of this genre.
Will Benson is a barrister with a difference. After 11 years in gaol for a murder which he claims he did not commit , he is now free and practising law having qualified whilst in prison and trained on his release despite the many difficulties he encountered.
Tess is the same age as Will and a solicitor. She met him as a trainee when he was about to be sentenced and his case has always remained with her. She encouraged him to study law and then lost contact with him. Drawn to him again after overhearing a discussion about him in a pub she decides to offer her help as he attempts to defend Sarah who is acused of the murder of her employer, a crime which she says she did not commit.
There are parallels between Will's and Sarah's cases and the novel moves swiftly along as Will tries to get Sarah acquited and discover who actually commited the crime. Whilst doing this he flashes back to his own trial and conviction at the Old Bailey.
Meanwhile Tess does all she can to help whilst trying to find out if Will was innocent or guilty of the original crime. She desparately wants to trust him and feels attracted to him although she denies this to her friends.
The characters were well described and I felt sympathy for them. I kept hoping that Will was truly innocent as he does seem a very remarkable and empathetic person, damaged by what has happened to him personally but still trying to do the best for his client.
I also liked the minor characters such as Archie, Will's clerk, who met him in prison and is now helping him out both as a clerk and a landlord. Then there is Will's mysterious benefactor.....
This was a great read and is obviously intended to be the first in a series featuring Will and Tess. I will be the first in the queue to read the next installment when it is published.
This is a real page turner and thoroughly recommended to all legal thriller fans. Maybe John Fairfax will become England's answer to John Grisham.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable legal thriller that is fluently written, full of suspense and tension and easily engages the reader. It looks to be the first of a series which begins with Benson, a 21 year old philosophy student, being convicted of the murder of Paul Harbeton at the Old Bailey. He reiterates that he is innocent and his defence team and 19 year old Tess De Vere believes him. He wants to be a lawyer, which Tess tells him is possible despite the enormous obstacles in his path.

Eleven years later Benson is out on probation, and has set up his own chambers given that no-one else is willing to take him on. He has been helped by Archie, his clerk, and Archie's family. He has acquired a client facing a murder charge, Sarah Collingstone, who has sacked her entire legal team, Tess becomes aware of this and joins his legal team as the instructing solicitor. The case is seemingly unwinnable with Sarah's DNA indisputably on the murder weapon. Tess becomes wary of Benson and decides to investigate Benson's conviction for herself. Benson is having to cope with the relentless media spotlight that questions whether he should be allowed to practice, a public baying for his blood, Harbeton's family who want him back in prison and a legal community unwilling to accept him. He is stalked, beaten up, spat at and worse. In a case that stretches him to the utmost and where he believes Sarah is innocent, can he succeed in getting her acquitted?

This is an exciting and thrilling read that is both compelling and gripping. The characters and the plot are complex. There are numerous red herrings and a suitably satisfying conclusion. Benson goes over and above his brief to uncover precisely what is going on. I want to read more about Benson and De Vere, so I hope there is a sequel. A brilliant and engaging read that comes highly recommended. Thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.

I liked the concept of this book. The introduction was good with Will Benson being sentenced to life for a murder he maintained he did not commit. Hearing him restate this is Tess de Vere a nineteen year old trainee solicitor. She believes him. After Will is released on parole, having admitted to the murder, Tess comes across him again. In that time their lives have taken very different paths in some ways though maybe not in others. The scene is well set.

To start with I found the style mostly quite light and easy. There is some humour in places as Tess meets up with her old friend Sally. There is even some humour for Will now outside prison but only on parole. However under this there is a feeling of things that might go wrong.

Up to about 30% in I found this book perfectly readable however it didn't feel like it was going to be memorable or grip me. After that I found out just how wrong I was! I do prefer not giving things away in reviews so I'll just say that a trial starts and the tension grows in a number of ways. The book became increasingly readable and far harder to put down. The story takes on a very twisty feel and the courtroom dramas are well played out to me.

I did find this straying briefly into the marginally incredible but it is worth it for the twists. The characters are well worked and believable. The pace later on is very good. I'd say I liked the ending but of course the story hasn't really ended yet has it… So I'll close with the fact that I want to read John Fairfax's next book in this series - I do hope he can maintain the very good start made her. Maybe 4.5/5 by the later part of the story but a very good read overall.

Great book. Excellent storyline and wonderful main characters. I would highly recommend this book.