When Hannah Holby dies on set of her morning show, millions see her awful death.

Chef, Sebastian Brooks, is immediately the one and only suspect, due to the food he has prepared and cooked, having an extra ingredient - the item that Hannah is allergic to.

Adam Green is the junior barrister on the case, and his gut is telling him that Sebastian didn’t do this. Can he find the evidence to either free him or send him to prison?

This is a well-written story, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Reading the detail of how Hannah died at the start was difficult to read, but also compelled me to read more.

There are a lot of characters, but having read the first book, I knew quite a few of them already.

I love reading about their work in chambers, it is interesting to learn about it. As the author is a criminal barrister, I know that the information given will be correct, and that draws me to the books.

I must finish with talking about Adam’s mum. Like so many of us mums, she wants to know how her son is getting on. She needs to know he’s eating well and not spending all his time working or in the pub! The phone conversations between Adam and his mum were both funny and reassuring. Reassuring that us mums are all the same, and miss our kids when they leave home.

My thanks to Random House UK and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Suspect
Rob Rinder
20 June 2024
*****

It’s good to have a story, set in chambers which follows various cases simultaneously, just as inevitably they must in reality. Basically we follow Adam Green, now a ‘baby barrister’ at Stag Court Chambers, having been a pupil there the previous year (for the background you will need to read “The Trial”).

The headline case concerns morning TV presenters Jessica Holby and Nicholas Copeland on Wake Up Britain and their regular chef, Sebastian Brooks. Sebastian has just finished the cookery section of the program when Jessica, who has sampled his creation, finds she can’t breathe and dies on live TV of anaphylactic shock.

Stag Court coincidentally are instructed for both the prosecution and the defence, and Adam is a virtual gofer for the defence team, but soon gets a little upgrade to junior defence barrister when this post falls vacant due to illness. They have to defend the celebrity chef, who, it appears must be guilty of deliberately poisoning the program host, and who is not very cooperative in his own defence.

I won’t give any more away, suffice to say that there is a lot going on with both the headline case and the others that Adam is connected to, which ensures that one cannot fail but to be engrossed. I an certain that we shall be seeing Adam’s progress as a barrister in future books, and I shall be looking forward to their publication.

I read this book from a pre-publication copy kindly supplied by the publisher, but this is an honest review with no concession to their generosity.

Well judged

The second novel in the Adam Green series. This is such an easy a read I just couldn’t put it down. It was well written and can’t wait for the next.

I didn't realise when I started this book, that it was second in a series, but in all honesty I didn't feel like that took anything away from this book, enough was explained throughout that I was able to enjoy this book and the characters without having read it. Having said that I will be going back and reading the first book now, as I enjoyed this one so much.

The writing style is enjoyable to read and the characters are well rounded and real, I felt like I knew them by the end of the book.

The story itself was good and kept me interested until the end. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.

The Suspect is the second of Rob Rinder's series about Adam Green, now a junior barrister. I really enjoyed the first book, and was keen to read this one - it didn't disappoint! I would definitely suggest reading the first book before this one, the outcome of the first story is referenced here, and the character progression would make more sense to the reader.

In this book, Adam finds himself defending a TV chef, in what looks like a clear cut case of the murder of a popular TV host. Can Adam find evidence to the contrary?

Easy to read, clearly written, an interesting insight into the law and the life of lawyers. I love Adam's Jewish mother, and their conversations - I cannot wait for book three for more!

Having really enjoyed the first novel by this author, I couldn't wait to get started on the second!

Adam Green, having survived his first year as a pupil at Chambers, is now a junior barrister but that doesn't make life any easier. His caseload is heavier and he often finds himself at a disadvantage, but determines to struggle through. When a very popular TV host dies live on the breakfast show, it turns out not to be an accident and soon fingers are pointing at one man - but is he really guilty? It's Adam's job to find out ...

I find myself in awe of what barristers put themselves through as they rise through their profession; it seems, at times, that they can do nothing right! The main character in this book is quietly determined to carry out his job to the very best of his abilities but it comes at a price. Living in less than palatial surroundings and dealing with his Jewish mother who constantly exaggerates his abilities, he keeps his head down and gets on with things - mostly. Beautifully crafted, this one had me hooked from the beginning and it was with a tinge of sadness that I reached the end. More please! A well-deserved five sparkling stars and my highest recommendation.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

When Hannah Holby, darling of UK morning TV, dies live on screen in front of millions of viewers, the nation is devastated. More devastated still when it becomes clear that her death was not an accident. The evidence points to celebrity chef Sebastian Brooks. Junior barrister Adam Green is about to discover that the case is not as open-and-shut as it first seemed. Although Hannah's angelic persona would suggest otherwise, she was not short of enemies in the glittery TV world
The second book by the author & another well written engrossing read. Adam is back & his career is progressing, I really like him & hope we get to further follow his career! The author’s own experience of the justice system brings the book to life & there are some interesting insights. A very enjoyable cosy mystery
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

My second book by Rob Rinder about all things legal and court proceedings. I thought the story was a bit flat in places and predictable, would like more of the character Adam to evolve especially with romance!

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC in return for my honest opinion

I had not read Rob Rinder's previous book - and often it is possible to read books in series out of order. But this really isn't a standalone book.
I have no particular need to read the first book as the outcome is often repeated in The Suspect. It's also obvious if there is another what the subject will be.

It did make a change to read a book from the perspective of the Legal Team but I have to admit I spent so long going backwards and forwards trying to work out who was who that I lost the thread of the plot.
Perhaps a precis of the characters at the beginning would help? Especially those within the Chambers,
Obviously Rob Rinder knows the ins and outs of legal Chambers and was able to write about this with less research than some authors but the actual writing is not particularly taxing to read. I presume the phone calls between the Jewish mother and the main junior barrister is a theme that carries on from the first book but I personally found it unnecessary.

I'm not sure that this was for me but I battled on as I wanted to know the outcome - specially of the TV presenter case. Morality there was little of it seemed

4 Stars from me

I am growing increasingly fond of this series following junior barrister Adam Green, and have come to love Rob Rinder's writing style, tone and delivery.

The storyline here was highly engaging and I found myself invested in who had murdered much loved TV presenter Jessica Holby and equally invested in how celebrity chef Sebastian Brooks could be saved if he wasn't the culprit.

Much like with The Trial, the author has done a superb job of creating a mix of highly likeable and not so likeable characters with a devilish mystery to be solved along the way. 

Not gruesome, but definitely not cozy crime, this series is entertaining, enjoyable and engaging to the end and I can't wait for the next installment for Adam and his colleagues at Stag Chambers.

Barrister Adam Green is back in the sequel to the hugely successful The Trial, and this time he's juggling two cases. The first is the murder of a popular TV presenter live on air, seemingly having been poisoned by the food prepared by the guest chef. Whilst it seems to be a lost cause case, Adam is determined to get to the truth, even if it means breaking the rules along the way.

The second case is a moral dilemma for Adam. Should he help his client prove his innocence, even if it would threaten their life (and his)?

Rob Rinder goes from strength to strength as an author, with hugely likeable characters and storylines that will keep you guessing to the end. The writing is a step above cosy crime, but without getting too technical to put the reader off. Bring on more Adam Green! (and definitely make a TV adaptation)

The Suspect is an entertaining, fun follow-up to Rob Rinder’s first book featuring junior barrister Adam Green. This time, Adam is helping on a case defending celebrity TV chef Sebastian Brooks who is accused of murdering – live on TV – much-loved presenter Hannah Holby.

There’s plenty of intrigue as Adam tries to uncover what really happened, all whilst he battles the pressures of being a junior barrister. It’s great to be back with Adam and his colleagues, some of whom are likeable (and some really aren’t!)... but all of them are entertaining in their own ways. Adam’s telephone conversations with his mother from The Trial are particularly funny, so I'm glad they're back again in this novel too!

The mystery kept me wanting to read on but the humour mixed in with the intrigue was what really kept my attention focused (just like with Rob’s first book, The Trial). I loved all the showbiz glamour of this case and the many stars who seemed suspiciously like certain stars we’ve grown to know and love…!

I’d recommend The Suspect if you fancy something light-hearted, fun and hard to put down! I hugely enjoyed it and finished it in no time! I'm hoping Rob brings out many more...!

Junior barrister Adam Green returns in the second book by Rob Rinder. Having barely survived his first year, Adam is tested with a heavy workload and some decisions that may be legally correct but cause concern to his sense of morality.
I found this book absorbing, moving from Court 1 at the Old Bailey to TV studios with celebrity presenters and chefs and then gang warfare in urban areas.
Rinder kept the tension tight throughout and ultimately left the reader to ponder on the judgements and repercussions.
I hope to read more in this series, learning about the human cost of working in Chambers and of the total commitment required.

I really enjoyed this second book in the series. The story moves at a great pace and I couldn't believe how quickly I read it. The characters had real depth and it was enjoyable to read about the development of Adam after the first novel . (I loved his mum's character!!). Would recommend for anyone who enjoys a good, well written legal mystery.

This book was easy to read with an interesting insight into the world of barristers and the courts. However, I just didn't find it interesting.

The characters were ok, and the story plodded on fine, but there wasn't any suspense or unexpected twists. It was an ok read, but I wouldn't read again or recommend.

A great read giving insight into the life of a barrister and its hardships. Kept me guessing throughout. Recommended.

Another fantastic read from Rob Rinder. A real page turner for me and cannot wait for the next one.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Junior Barrister Adam Green is back in the second book of this series. He needs to uncover the truth after a celebrity dies live on air and it wasn’t an accident. Will he discover what really happened?

I enjoyed the first book in this series and think this one was even better. The storyline held my interest and I was drawn into the mystery. There were also separate sub plots which helped to keep up the intrigue. The overall book is really well written, flowed nicely and I enjoyed the added humour. I like Adam as a main character and would enjoy reading a third book in this series. An entertaining, easy read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

Having read the first Rob Rinder book and really loved it, I was so looking forward to the sequel and it didn’t disappoint. This book can be read as a stand alone if you haven’t read the first book, and there is enough in it to enable you to catch the jist of what happened to Adam Green and his colleagues the previous year.
When daytime TVs beloved Jessica Holby dies on live TV in front of millions of viewers, of anaphylaxis, it seems like an open and shut case – the TV chef was the only one with access to the food containing the allergen. Furthermore the TV chef, Sebastian, seemed to be the one with the strongest motive. How was baby Barrister Adam going to help to get him off? In a second, and unrelated case, which Adam finds himself working on concurrently, he finds himself in a dilemma – is getting his other accused off his charges necessarily the best for him? Not only does Adam have to deal with these two important and high profile cases, but he also has to deal with his mother – and their telephone conversations are pure comedy genius.
Beg, borrow or preferably buy a copy of this book. You won’t regret it. I couldn’t put it down and it stayed with me for ages afterwards. I can’t wait to see what happens to Adam in book 3.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6552241139

https://maddybooksblog.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-suspect-by-rob-rinder-having-read.html

I haven’t read the The Trial so wasn’t familiar with the characters in Stag Court Chambers but that didn’t stop me from enjoying this engaging legal read. That said there's history there that I felt would have enhanced my enjoyment of the character’s subplots. I loved the setting, the courtroom drama and the chamber life which was very reminiscent of the 90’s TV series This Life.
When a beloved breakfast TV anchor dies live on air the subsequent trial of the main suspect looks like a slam dunk, but the revelations found along the way expose so many twists. Both a great read and an engrossing look at the inner workings of the British legal system, and I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the entertaining phone conversations between Adam Green, our main character, who is now Junior Council and his mother.