So it has a really good style of writing that flows well and draws you in. The plot moves forward and its impossible not to be invested in it. Its certainly a very solid legal thriller. However, as a mixed race black scot, I do often struggle with British stories about black brits because they're either so riddled with stereotypes or the complications of being black here is so heavy handedly put across or whatever so I was wary to start this. The 1st thing that caught my attention was the fact the characters are called Emmett and Rosa which automatically calls to mind Emett Till and Rosa Parks and the struggles they faced. The parallels between Emmett Till and the characters Emmett are impossible to ignore! The patois was a really nice addition, even though it did take a bit of getting used to but the book is written very authentically. It's very accurate to life as a mixed race, black presenting person. Like getting your name mis pronounced or shortened without your permission. Like the assumptions you know every other black person in your area. the comments about having done well for yourself, especially considering your background. All the tiny wee micro aggressions people accidently slip in to normal conversation and that you can't ever call out for fear of being told you're being touchy or "playing the race card". I'm very impressed. Possibly the 1st book that's delt with being black British in a realistic and honest way without harping on about it or being too over the top with it. It's really perfectly written

A white man is murdered in broad daylight in the middle of a busy park. Witnesses claim it was the young mixed-race boy who stabbed him. He was found covered in blood, but Emmett maintains his innocence. Yes, he was there. Yes, he had been involved. But no, he hadn't murdered anyone. He offers no more explanation than that. Rosa, a barrister, also mixed race, vows to prove his innocence. But the evidence is all pointing towards him.being guilty. She needs to find the truth before it's too late.

I was a little unsure about reading this book, as I'm not usually a fan of legal thrillers. But I actually really enjoyed this one. It was fast-paced and extremely well written. The racial side of this sends a powerful message to the reader and really draws you in.
It's definitely made me rethink my stance on legal thrillers. I look forward to reading more from this author.

A gentle courtroom thriller which jogs along nicely.
I didn't predict the ending which is always a bonus and whilst it didn't exactly light any fires, it is an easy and enjoyable read.
I warmed to the central character and would probably read more by this author.
Many thanks.

An intense and gripping legal book.
Emmett is charged with a murder that he says he did not commit, but is seen by witnesses with the victim holding a knife and covered in blood, and Rosa must prove his innocence
I liked the main character Rosa and would definitely like to read more books with her legal cases as a series in the future.

A gritty, intense and very timely legal thriller.

When Emmett is arrested and charged for the murder of a white man, he insists he is innocent. But the system is against him from the start, and Emmett can't explain what he was doing in the park at the time of the murder. His only hope lies in his barrister, Rosa, who is determined to do all she can for Emmett.

This is a really gripping thriller with some hard-hitting messages about systemic racism. A very impressive debut from a talented author.

A great, gritty and intense legal read! I thought this was a great debut and will definitely read more from this author.

For anyone looking for a hard hitting, twisty legal thriller - look no further.

This was a really impressive novel from Alexandra Wilson which tells the story of Emmett, a young mixed-race boy arrested and charged with the murder of a white man in a local park.

Emmett maintains his innocence however admits he was there in the park, and can offer no explanation as to why.

Being a young mixed race woman, his barrister, Rosa, is determined to ensure a not guilty verdict however with a client unwilling to divulge any information, she is really up against it.

As well as being a sharp legal thriller, there is a clear racial message coming through this book which is incredibly powerful. I definitely found myself frustrated with Emmett's continued defiant silence in the face of life imprisonment however I think that speaks more to my own ignorance of the issues facing young men of colour.

A really impressive novel and I would really enjoy seeing this turned into a series featuring Rosa as she navigates the legal system.

Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK, Sphere for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

With many thanks to Netgalley for this free arc and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Not usually my genre,but having read a couple of really good books by Lia Middleton I really fancied the premise of this one and another delve into the legal world. Slow to start as we get to grips with the characters and Rosa’s background. I liked the character of Rosa but I did find Nana a complete distraction and skimmed most of the scenes with her as I struggled with the way the author had written her speech. The tension and pace really starts to ramp up once the court case gets going and the latter part of the book had me on the edge of my seat. Good twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. This could develop quite nicely into a series of books. A well written, thought out debut

Personal politics are cleverly blended into this astute legal thriller that reflects the knowledge of an insider to the justice system - one who is familiar with how often real justice is denied to those who are disadvantaged in some way because of the beliefs and prejudices we all carry within ourselves.

Rosa's client is a young black man who has been arrested for murder, a charge supported by witness statements that put him standing over the body with a knife in his hands.

But as Tamir Rice's case so tragically proved, things are often not as they seem and witnesses can be reluctant or unreliable. Rosa suspects that this might be the case here. The problem is, her digging into the matter is likely to lead to - in the words of a cultural proverb in Bengal - digging for a worm only to discover a snake...

This is an intriguing read from a promising new voice. Worth checking out for those who enjoy legal thrillers with a sociocultural slant.