A perfectly plotted brilliantly addictive courtroom drama which puts two sisters at odds with each other and has a strong emotional core running through it that makes you quite teary, especially if you are a parent.

A strong mystery element is secondary really to the human drama playing out on the page it is beautifully insightful and stabs you in the heart for all the right reasons.

This author gets better with every passing book. Definitely in the top few writers doing clever, compelling and original psychological thrillers today. 

Fuller review near publication but quite definitely Highly Recommended.

This is the third novel by Gillian McAllister that I've read. I found the others to be well written but with unlikeable protagonists and I almost didn't request this one. I'm glad I did though. The story is one of two sisters, one of them is accused of killing the other's baby. A horrific thought. The story is presented through the trial of the accused sister, Becky and narrated by her and Martha, baby Layla's mother. In between their narratives we are given the points of view of the various witnesses who are called. This is very effective, it allows the action to be shown rather than told about and I really liked hearing their voices. The novel is skilfully written and Martha's point of view especially is very well done. She loves her sister and wants to believe she is innocent but as she listens to the ever more damning evidence she is plagued by doubts. She knew Becky had a temper but is shocked by what she hears about her sister. Could she be guilty after all? Interspersed with this is her own guilt - if she hadn't gone away for two nights... But what I really liked is the examination of what it is like to be a mother, how everyone assumes that the mother has full responsibility for parenting. Martha's lovely husband, Scott consoles her by telling her he is equally (if not more) to blame. He too was away but it is Martha who everyone thinks should have been there. This is brutally honest about the difficulties of looking after babies, the frustration and yes, rejection that you can feel when all your attempts to soothe a crying baby fail. It won't be for everyone as the subject matter is so hard but I loved it. And full marks for an ending that is believable. A terrific read.

This is the third book by Gillian McAllister. Honestly I cant remember how I found the books, but when the writing makes you feel like your spending time with an old friend its easy to forget that this is only number three! ( it might also be because at one part the book refers to somewhere as “Malory Towers for dogs” which I read two days after a frantic hunt for the perfect kennels for our pups, so I completely related)
‘No further questions’ is the tragic story of sisters, Becky and Martha, separated by tragedy that makes everyone question what really happened. The book is based in the court room, where we are learning what happened to Baby Layla, and who is to blame for her not being here anymore.
We learn that Martha has always wanted to help others, its her nature. When she has the opportunity for her own charity she grabs it with both hands. Having a new baby makes this challenging; she doesn’t want to miss opportunities to help people who have nothing and no one else. Her younger sister Becky feels less fortunate, with one son and now separated from the father she feels that Martha judges her a little. She’s struggling with her job and feels that she is the lesser sister. When Martha offers her a job as Laylas nanny she sees the opportunity to get her life back on track.
As we hear the witness statements we also learn that person’s memories from that day, what they really thought but wont say, or aren’t asked on the stand. One of the narratives is from the Judge, which I really liked, it felt like an insight into their ways, how they deal with things, and how you can easily take your work home with you.
Layla was in Beckys care when she died, but after confessing to having had a few drinks she maintains her Innocence even though she doesn’t remember. She didn’t hurt Layla. She would remember that surely? Yes the crying was getting to her but not to that extent. Her son was so easy in comparison.
I’ll admit I had a suspicion who I thought had done it. (Early on I made the assumption someone had to have intentionally or accidentally killed Layla) I quickly dismissed the idea because we knew they couldn’t have, even thought it was a lightbulb moment when I thought it. As we went through the witness statements and versions of the truth it was obvious something wasn’t quite right, and people knew it. Did Becky really do it? Was it Marc her ex? Who else might have been there?
The family are torn by the trial, Becky and Martha aren’t allowed to communicate. Becky is living with their parents, and her son is living with his dad. It’s an all-consuming topic and really they just need closure.
I really enjoyed the book, I wasn’t surprised at how it happened, but that’s more because it felt like a natural explanation and completely believable.

I loved this book and was engrossed for the whole read. The characters were interesting and very likeable. The drama was well staged and the obvious anguish the sisters parents must have been going through was underplayed to perfection.
I could so easily have given five stars but for one weak point close to the end but I hate spoilers in reviews so I cannot say what. I will however highly recommend this book as a great read that is very hard to put down.
I wish there was a four and a half stars really!!

Great keep you on the seat of your chair good! Couldn't put this one down. Was great from start to finish.


Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an early release of this book.

Excellent book, started reading in the afternoon and couldn't put it down till finished! I work in court, I am a mother and a sister, so this book caught my attention straight from the first page! Highly recommend!

I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was the kind of thriller you put everything else down for, until you can get to the end. It was enjoyable, but it was definitely a mindfuck to read, especially as a mother. Did not see any of that coming. Five awe-struck stars. I know I won't sleep well tonight.

I only discovered Gillian McAllister this year, having stumbled upon her second novel on Audible. I was immediately hooked (and I even reference it in my own debut!), and so it was with much excitement that I requested No Further Questions.

I have some experience of law, having a degree in criminology & criminal justice, and so it is always thrilling to see an author bypass the stereotypes and put a huge amount of effort into researching the reality. Judging by her Instagram stories, I always thought McAllister was an organised planner, but No Further Questions proves just how thorough she is at research.

Weaved through the technicalities of the case - an eight week old baby, found asphyxiated one morning, having been in the care of her aunt - is the emotional turmoil. Two sisters, a family, torn apart by suspicion, by the evidence presented. To many, it seems obvious that Becky was responsible for her niece's death. And yet her sister, Martha, cannot truly believe it. She has already lost her daughter, she thinks, how can she lose her sister too? As a woman, and as a writer, I'm fascinated by female relationships, how deep the bonds can go, and McAllister conveys this masterfully. The grief Martha feels is heartbreaking, both at the loss of her daughter, and at her sister standing trial for murder.

It was at about 70% where I had a sneaking suspicion about the twist. But unlike my usual smugness when I work something out, this realisation hit me like a blow. McAllister is clever, yes, and utterly ruthless.

A fantastically written courtroom drama. I was kept guessing the whole time and only guessed the truth minutes from it being revealed. A very clever story. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

I was actually disappointed with this one.
I loved her first novel: Anything you do say, so when I read the blurb for this one, I had really high expectations. Unfortunately, it did not live up to that.

Martha seemed almost unbelievable as a character, not natural at all. I saw the plottwist coming from miles away and I felt that it was not resolved neatly.

I absolutely loved Gillian's first 2 books so when she put out an IG post saying it cpuld be requested from Netgalley, I dived straight on there!! And I got a copy!! 😁
.
Two sisters on opposite sides of the courtroom....one whose baby has died and one accused of murdering their niece. The police are convinced she's guilty, she says she's innocent....who do you believe?
.
I LOVED this book ❤ I couldn't put it down and read it in about 5 hours...it was that good!! It was incredibly well told, the storyline was intense and gripping and the relationships between the sisters and the rest of the family was real. I absolutely loved the different witness perspectives and the court scenes, they were thrilling. It's a tough topic to write about, but I thought it was so well done...I was surprised at the ending, but it all came together really well and I will definitely be adding this to my collection in paperback when it comes out!
I couldn't ever imagine being in a place where I had to decide something like guilt about my sister....whom I adore....so it was heartbreaking to read 😔 but so so brilliant ❤❤

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Martha and Becky are sisters who are so different but so alike. Martha runs a charity and is mother to Layla who is eight weeks old. Without taking maternity leave she employs her sister to be her nanny. Layla is a constant crier and the unthinkable happens and Becky is on trial for the death of her niece.

Gillian has done it again, another gripping read which had me totally absorbed for two days. Absolutely love the way she tells a story with the human element of pain and emotion.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, and Gillian Mcallister for the opportunity to read this novel.
No Further Questions is a highly emotional courtroom drama involving two sisters. Becky, the defendant, stands accused of murdering her sister's baby. But, Becky is adamant she is innocent.
The plot was well thought out and keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat until you get to the stunning conclusion.
Gillian McAllister just gets better and better.

WOW - No Further Questions is one hell of an emotional roller coaster ride. I felt emotionally wrung out by the time I got to the end of this heart string pulling tale of families,relationships,misconceptions,mistakes,grief and forgiveness.

Because this is a story about a court case there is quite a number of diverse,vivid characters. You have the Judge,the solicitors,the witnesses for the prosecution and the defence but the main players in this gripping drama are Martha,her husband Scott and their daughter eight week old Layla.The accused Becky who is Martha's sister,Becky`s ex husband Marc and their son Xander who is nine years old at the time of Layla`s death.I really liked the Judge Christopher Matthews,he had a dog called Rumpole which I thought was a very apt name for a judge's dog. I also liked and felt so much sympathy for poor young Xander.The four main adults where complex,flawed characters,three of which I found rather unlikable throughout most of the book but as in any good story and also in reality,sometimes all is not as it appears to be.Innocent events can be misconstrued and twisted into something they are not.Sometimes there are underlying factors and reasons behind a person's behaviour.Throughout the book we are taking back in time and learn about the sister`s relashionship when they were growing up,how and where they met their partners.Layla`s difficulty birth,the interactions within the two families and events leading up to and on the night of baby Layla`s death.The testimonies in court that covered Layla`s treatment in the A&E trauma room and her autopsy where heart breaking and caused me to have a lump in my throat and feel rather weepy as did the final reveal of what happened on that fateful night.

The author has obviously done a lot of research into a number of issues that are raised throughout this riveting thriller.Although as the author states,she had to manipulate some things for pace and plot,the courtroom scenes are realistic and believable.I don't normally read court room dramas but I loved Gillian McAllister`s precious books Anything You Do Say and Everything But The Truth so I couldn't resist reading No Further Questions.And I'm so glad I did,I was hooked in from the first page,her words flow with ease and are so mesmerising its like you are hypnotized by the story that is unfolding before your eyes.I was so gripped by this story that I would have happily read the whole book in one sitting but unfortunately my old eyes had other ideas.Very highly recommended by little old me.

I really enjoyed McAllister’s book Anything You Do Say and I was looking forward to her read.

No Further Questions sees a courtroom drama unfold as Becky is accused of murdering her sister Martha’s young baby Layla. The opening chapters hook you instantly with the dark storyline.

I guessed the ending quite early on but it still made for an enjoyable read - the story is teased out through different perspectives from the night in question and also the court case, and I was keen to see how the case would reach its conclusion.

3.5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Michael Joseph and Gillian McAllister for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.