Rating: 4.0/5

I can be a bit wary of reading novels by celebrities who have made their name doing something else. Occasionally they succeed in translating their skills into the new medium, but far too often I find myself disappointed and wishing they had stuck to their day job. Thankfully, not only has Rob Rinder made a better stab at it than many, but for the most part he has delivered an entertaining read that is genuinely very good.

Right from the outset the signs augured well. The prologue is engaging, sets the scene nicely and contains its share of appealing humour too. If you are familiar with Rob Rinder from his many television appearances over the years, then it will be almost impossible not to hear his voice in your head as you read this book - but that is no bad thing.

It is often said that an author should "write what they know" and, by setting this novel in the world of the legal profession, Rob Rinder has done just that. The potential danger is that the content could become too insular and alienate a wider audience, but the author has taken great care to avoid that pitfall. If anything, in his efforts to make this accessible and easy to read for everyone, it errs on the side of being a touch too simplistic occasionally - but, for the most part, a worthy balance is achieved.

Although "The Trial" leans towards the cosy end of the mystery genre - not unlike John Mortimer's "Rumpole of the Bailey" series - the mystery at the heart of the story is robust enough and stands up pretty well to scrutiny. Rob Rinder also takes the opportunity to make some serious commentary about the legal system and society in general, but without this aspect becoming excessively heavy or sanctimonious and detracting from the overall feel of the book. Another pleasing aspect is the inclusion of intermittent chapters featuring phone calls between the chief protagonist, Adam Green, and his mother. These sections serve not only as a vehicle for comic relief, but also help to build Adam's backstory outside of the central thread of the narrative.

It really wouldn't be difficult to see this develop into a series of books - or even be developed as a tv series. I will certainly be back for Rob Rinder's next offering, which I am sure will be in the pipeline.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

Another celebrity outing, but this one is definitely a winner and at least I feel confident Robert Rinder is bright enough to write this without any outside help! Rinder has used his legal background well, inventing a likeable character in pupil barrister, Adam Green, who comes from Southgate – Rinder’s home turf and literally within walking distance of where I live, so that is always fun.

Detective Inspector Grant Cliveden is a national hero. Previously in Royal protection and now in serious crime, he is due to give evidence at the Old Bailey when he collapses and dies in the witness box, having been poisoned. Meanwhile, Adam Green is not enjoying his time at Stag Court Chambers, as his pupil master, Jonathan Taylor-Cameron is a constant philanderer and more interested with balancing his social life than his work. Adam is in competition with fellow pupil barrister, Georgina Devereaux, for a coveted place as a junior barrister and now he is involved in the biggest story in the country. Unfortunately, he is due to be in the legal team that is defending Jimmy Knight, an ex-con, who was seen in a pub with Cliveden shortly before he died and who is the prime suspect.

Adam Green has an interesting backstory, as his own father was accused of a crime and the guilt of feeling he was unjustly treated means that he is keen to believe Knight’s not-guilty plea. Before long, he begins to uncover the fact that there are other possible suspects, and that Cliveden is not necessarily as beloved as newspapers would have people believe. However, can he pull off the impossible with a disinterested Taylor-Cameron, more interested in richer and more influential clients. I would definitely read more by Mr Rinder and hope to see the likeable Adam Green having more adventures. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

Really enjoyed this book by my favourite judge on TV (sadly not any more). I loved the story of Adam a poor lad who just wants to be a force for good in the justice system but whilst waiting to be chosen for the one coveted position in his firm. As he is handed a no hope case to defend the suspected murderer of a celebrity Police Officer. As he tries to uncover the truth even though his pupil master seems to have no interest in the truth in this case and is fighting for the truth going to loose his chance to progress.

Free Courtesy of Netgalley

This is Judge Rob Rinder's first book and it was absolutely amazing. I really enjoyed reading the story and learning a little bit of how our judicial system works. It was like a behind the scenes look at a court room and a trial but with a good story behind it.

A celebrated police officer is murdered, whilst giving evidence in The Old Bailey, but who did it ?

Adam is a pupil Barrister and is fighting for his place in a law firm. His pupil Master is given the trial to defend the man accused of Murdering Grant Cliveden, the celebrated police officer. Adam doesn't believe the accused is guilty but his pupil Master don't care and is not interested and thinks he is guilty.

The book follows the Trial and Adams relationship with the law firm that he works for, whilst fighting his own personal demons.

There are so many twists and turns and you really don't find out who the murder is until the end of the book. I hope Rob writes more books and follows Adams career. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a bit of court room drama and mystery novels.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book, I didn’t know what I was expecting and there was some good plot twists that I didn’t see coming. I enjoyed learning about the background of the pupil barrister, especially the conversations between him & his mother. I just think the pace could’ve been faster especially on the courtroom scenes but overall it was a good read!

Celebrity Police off Grant Cliveden dies in front of several witnesses while giving evidence at the Old bailey. Further discovery they find out that he was poisoned. The main suspect in his murder is Jimmy Knight who has an axe to grind when several years later he was put in prison when Grant gave evidence.
Trainee barrister Adam Green is on the defence team with his pupil master Johnathon who already thinks that Jimmy is guilty and wants him to plead that. But Adam knows he is innocent and goes above and beyond to help him but also doesn’t want to upset his pupil master as he wants a place a Stag chambers.
The Trial by Rob Rinder is a surprisingly good debut novel from the author. It was better that I was expecting. I thought that it was going to be bogged down with a lot of legal jargon but this has a great storyline and kept me reading to the early hours of the morning and an ending that I wasn’t expecting. 5 stars from me.

Enjoyable and pacey crime novel with strong courtroom elements. The author's professional background shows through in the legal details without slowing the plot

Well they say write you know, so it makes complete sense that Rob Rinder's debut novel is set in the world of law and features a huge courtroom trial that had me gripped.

I was enthralled by the big trial at the centre of this story, and certainly didn't anticipate how things would work out.

It was a fascinating story, from the point of view of Adam, who is trying to pass his pupillage at his chambers and become a fully fledged barrister. There is a long hard look at just what justice is, and I loved Adam's determination and his journey.

I wasn't so keen on his pupil master Jonathan, who was a bit of a nightmare, and certainly not who I would want representing me in court (should I ever need a barrister).

Digging into the case and learning all about all the key players, in preparation for the trial and then seeing how the trial played out, was thrilling. I also enjoyed hearing about some of Adam's other cases, one of two of which made me laugh, and some of which was also quite interesting.

What also made me laugh and what gave some light relief on the whole from the main story were the intermittent phone calls between Adam and his mother. His mother is a typical Jewish mother, wanting her son to date various local Jews, and constantly wondering if he was eating enough. The familiarity of the character really made me smile.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this story, other than the blurb had caught my eye, and I'm over the moon that it did, for I felt this was a fabulous book, and I'm so glad I had the chance to read it. I'm rather hoping this may not be the last we have seen of Adam, as I loved his passion.

Thank you to Century and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Trial is an enjoyable detective novel with a murder mystery that runs alongside the court case for the alleged murderer.

As expected, Rinder's prose is pithy and witty and I found myself flying through the pages. He's got a good eye for character and place - I love the way he captures the unique foilbles of chambers and court. While there is a fair amount of coincidence that stretches the imagination and I saw the final twist coming a mile off, I still enjoyed Adam's detective journey and rooted for his success.

The ending raises some interesting questions on the meaning of justice which I feel would need to be further explored in any follow up - and it certainly feels like a sequel is planned.

A really enjoyable story of a trainee barrister dealing with a seemingly guilty client who could actually be anything but. It’s a definite page turner, written with great style. I hope there are going to be more books continuing with the characters as I’d happily read them.

Thanks to Netgalley for a great read.

Brilliant, what a fantastic book from Rob Rinder. It draws on his legal knowledge. Adam, a novice advocate is trying to prove a clients innocence without much help from anyone else. He is so focussed on black and white. How the system should work. This story follows the challenges he faces but told in an engaging way. Surprise ending. Can't wait for the next one.

The spectacular poisoning of a celebrity police officer and the well publicized trial of his murderer are at the center of this captivating and riveting whodunit that is also a very accomplished courtroom drama.

Brilliantly plotted with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing all the way to the end, sparkling dialogues and blessed with a terrific cast of exquisitely drawn characters, The trial is also a compelling portrait of the British justice system today.

A marvellous fictional journey that really deserves to be discovered and enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever!

Many thanks to Random House and Netgalley for this great reading opportunity!

Always found Rob Rinder interesting om the telly and was curious to how that would mix into fiction. It was great. Obviously his specialist subject but such a good read. Hope he releases more books

The Trial by Rob Rinder is the story of Adam Green, pupil barrister and with his pupil master, Jonathon he is given a case to defend a murder suspect. Adam Green like so many pupil barristers has a year only to prove that he is capable of becoming a barrister. That year is nearly up and it is a contest between Adam and fellow pupil, Georgina.
The storyline is very interesting and the characters are really fascinating, the story flows throughout the book and then at the end we all wait to find out which of the two pupils will continue to work at the Stag Inns of court.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, which is written by someone who knows the courts and judges extremely well.
Highly recommended

Celebrity police officer Grant Cliveden is poisoned in a court hearing in full view off a court full of witnesses and Jimmy Knight is the accused. The author shows off their knowledge of legal processes and we get a pacy read as trainee barrister Adam Green pulls out all the stops to try and show the court that his client is innocent when the case isn’t so cut and dried.

I loved the descriptions of the old school barristers and Adams attempts to find a place for himself at the chambers. A great read that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

A winning debut novel from Rob Rinder. He’s written about a world he obviously knows well which gives an authentic feel. The central character, Adam, is a likeable and determined young man and the supporting characters are realistic and interesting. I enjoyed this book and would love to read any subsequent books.

I enjoyed this debut novel by the television personality Judge Rinder. The characters were well written, the legal setting authentic and I raced through it. I will read more by the author. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Well Rumpole of the Bailey this is not and I did find it quite slow burning, but on the other hand the characters were relateable and engaging . I loved Adam's relationship with his mother and was intrigued by his self doubt.
This was an authentic storyline as you'd expect from Rinder and once the pace quickened there were plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader's interest and the writing style was comfortable if not compelling. A good holiday read I think.

The plot is expertly crafted, with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to empathize with their struggles. The author's writing style is engaging and easy to follow, with just the right amount of suspense and intrigue.

TV judge Rob Rinder’s first ever fiction novel and it’s a good ‘un. Writing about what he knows, it’s about a court trial that follows after a well known and well respected chief detective is poisoned to death. There’s twists and turns a-plenty and a main character who is likeable and relatable. It’s a delve below the surface of the courtroom life that I found fascinating. It might not have the grip and depth of a John Grisham novel but it’s a good quick read.