This not a courtroom drama, as such, and certainly not a thriller as I have seen it called, but a far more interesting exploration of what happens when a lawyer chooses to follow his conscience rather than the dictates of the firm he works for. Jack Carney is not a criminal lawyer and his firm does not allow such matters to be taken up. But when an old friend asks him for help he decides that he cannot refuse, for reasons that are gradually revealed as the book progresses. There's no doubt that this friend, Connor Padget, is guilty. That’s not the issue. What matters is why he committed this crime, what drove him to it, and the book is a calm and measured examination of what happens when someone is pushed to the limit. Questions of loyalty, honour, courage and conscience all come into play. The trial itself is very well-handled, with no melodrama, and the book as a whole is well-paced and well-constructed. The tension lies in not knowing what the court will decide. A nuanced, intelligent and insightful novel, and one which I very much enjoyed.

What a great discovery: intelligent writing; suspenseful plot; deeply complex characters; intriguing, well-wrought settings. This book has the whole package. I hope Carl Roberts writes more than one novel!

I enjoyed reading The Trial of Connor Padget. The main character, Jack Carney, volunteers to defend his high school buddy, even though the crime is caught on camera. Jack is a successful attorney, has a beautiful wife and a comfortable home. Yet, he is at a crossroads. The trial itself is just a vehicle to explore Jack’s dilemma. He has decisions to make. I like the way the author explores the trial, social issues and Jack’s decisions. I like the way the author reveals just enough information, using flash backs and reminisces, but leaves some things to the reader’s imagination. I recommend this book.
Thank you #NetGalley and #TheTrialofConnorPadget for an advanced copy of this book.

The Trial of Connor Padget was a great read. It kept me gripped throughout. Connor and Jack are life long friends with memories stretching back to their childhood summers. Jack is a lawyer and is called upon when is friend Connor finds himself in hot water. Even though Jack's firm is not one which defends criminal cases Jack agrees to defend his friend. He needs him and Jack is sure that there is more to this case than meets the eye. I was captivated while reading this novel. It was in no way predictable and presented many twists and turns. I really enjoyed Carl Robert's debut novel and I look forward to many more from this talented writer. I give this book 4 stars and they are well deserved.

"The Trial of Connor Padget" comes encased in the form of a legal thriller, but it could also be entitled " A Man's Search For Meaning." It's a quick-reading story about a civil lawyer who to the dismay of his partners takes on an unwinnable criminal defense case. By unwinnable, I mean to say, the whole gunshot homicide was captured on live television like Jack Ruby taking out Lee Harvey. There's no question about identity, no question about how it was done, and certainly little in question about the motive as Connor Padget believed his target was having an affair with his wife and kidnapped his son. Jack Carney was good friends with a Padget from high school and was not going to let his friend go done without a fight, not when he knew his friend to be decent. Thus, begins a story ending with a courtroom trial. Along the way, the story is as much about Carney's life as it is about the legal battle. For Carney, this trial gives meaning to him that's been missing and frees him from the life he's shackled himself too. Well-written and absorbing, the story is told straight without getting too clever about legal maneuvers.

I found this to be an excellent read. I highly recommend this tale of consequences. Jack stands by his friend and finds his life changed.

I do not like to be negative when someone has put so much of themselves, their time and self into a story. I really tried to get into this one but the writing was too disjointed for me and I struggled to connect. It's a DNF for me right now after 8 chapters but maybe some time I'll give it another try. The character development was too short and emotionless for me. As a storyline, it gets to the intrigue early, which is good, but just not enough to keep me engaged. I often avoid legal books because I know too much of that topic and probably become too critical. Interesting topic and concept - I hope this is a hit for other readers!

This is an excellent book. In refusing to desert his friend, he sets in motion a chain of event which exacerbates the deteriorating circumstances of his life. Determined to keep Connor from being confined in jail until he dies, Jack is a legal bulldog. Jack gets lost in memories of the days he flew missions over Russia occasionally. Those flights and the days he spent in Japan can’t be forgotten, only pushed to the side. I heartily recommend this book as a real page turner. Well done.