I enjoyed this book. Three teenage boys are in court for killing an old man in an apparent random mugging. They each have their own legal team with different issues, prejudices and courtroom styles. The prosecutor is trying her first case in a while and the judge seems very unpleasant. I liked Jennifer, Caz and Aliyah, probably because we saw some of their personal life.
There is so much going on behind the scenes, it's really interesting reading all the nitty gritty of the legal process. Then, after the verdict, the full story is told and it completely changes everything. Very cleverly done.

Actual rating 4.5..

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one as I haven’t read any of the Secret Barrister books, but I thought this was so clever and compelling, whilst also maintaining a surprising sense of humour given the violent nature of the crime at the heart of the story!

Anyone squeamish around blood and violence may struggle, and it does also have quite a few different narrative voices, but I just found it all quite fascinating and thought provoking, and had no idea which way it would go - and the ending certainly shocked me! I’d definitely read more fiction from the author.

Excellent twisty storyline.
Keeps you guessing right to the end.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review

The prosecution opens, addressing the jury with a narrative laying out what she intends to prove; Seventy four year old retired teacher, Bernard Hooper was murdered by three teenage boys on New Years Eve, their weapon of choice an illegal Zombie Knife which they used in a frenzied attack lasting several minutes.

The crime was brutal, the evidence damning. But with each of the accused telling a different story, the prosecutor and defence counsel had their work cut out in this stunning read.

From the prosecutions opening speech to the final verdict this novel had me under its spell, its clever and its scary in its accuracy of the legal process, its challenges and its unreliable witnesses who don't hold up under cross-examination. Totally compelling from start to finish, the best legal thriller I've read in a long time.

Thanks to S.J. Fleet and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Cut Throat Trial before the publication date.
The author has drawn on his experience within the criminal justice system to write this book in which the storyline is very slowly revealed over the period of the 15 day trial.
At times, it is reminiscent of the TV program, Rumpole of the Bailey with the odd bit of dry sarcasm.
The narrative is provided by each of the central characters in turn, providing the reader with insight into their backstory.
I would not have classed this book as a thriller.

This was phenomenal courtroom drama I devoured it in one sitting! I cannot remember the last time I was so hooked! This book was an absolute fantastic, suspense-filled, unputdownable page turner! I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! I had no idea who to trust and believe until the last few chapters.

This book masterfully weaves suspense, intrigue, and complex characters into a story that keeps you guessing until the very end i’d highly recommend! Will justice prevail you will have to read to find out!

S. J. Fleet’s The Cut Throat Trial places readers at the tense intersection of youth, crime, and the legal system.

Centered around the courtroom drama of three seventeen-year-old boys accused of murdering an elderly teacher on New Year’s Eve, the novel is an immersive legal thriller that lingers on the ambiguous nature of truth and justice. It challenges assumptions about innocence and guilt by focusing not just on the facts of the case, but on the personalities and motivations of everyone involved. Closely examining courtroom tension, character dynamics, and the novel’s underlying themes, this essay reflects on the book’s capacity to provoke thought about the boundaries and burdens of justice.

The story’s heartbeat lies in its nuanced depiction of the accused and their legal representatives. Each boy, facing a charge that could define his life, responds differently under pressure: they turn suspicion on one another, amplifying the tangled uncertainty of the trial. Their personalities, vulnerabilities, and loyalties unfold gradually, forcing readers to reconsider initial judgments about responsibility. These are not caricatures of guilt or innocence, but young people caught in circumstances far beyond their years.

The defense barristers become more than procedural mouthpieces. Their backgrounds, personal doubts, and unique strategies highlight the complexities of advocacy in a high-stakes context. The depiction of the prosecutor, unyielding in his campaign for conviction, serves as a reminder of how the search for justice can blur into the pursuit of victory. The interplay between these legal professionals underscores the pressures within the criminal justice system, where every word and gesture can tip the balance between freedom and punishment.

Fleet’s novel confronts challenges inherent in the pursuit of truth within legal proceedings. The shifting narratives and carefully constructed testimonies expose the malleable nature of evidence and demonstrate how personal biases and tactics shape perceptions of reality. These elements reflect ongoing debates about the fairness and reliability of criminal justice, particularly for young defendants. The book raises difficult questions about the capacity of juries and society to determine guilt impartially and about the weight that adult legal systems impose on adolescents.

The narrative also considers the wider human consequences of legal decisions. By inviting empathy for each character, regardless of their role in the case, the story reminds readers that trials reach far beyond verdicts; they ripple into the lives and futures of everyone connected to them. The emotional turmoil inside the courtroom feels immediate and claustrophobic, reinforcing the idea that justice is not a distant ideal, but a process experienced with real fear, hope, and vulnerability.

Fleet’s style is marked by clarity and precision, qualities likely stemming from a strong understanding of legal realities. The accessible language and detailed courtroom scenes sustain suspense without sacrificing authenticity. The structure, shaped by the rhythm of the trial, moves briskly and casts the reader as an observer, almost as if seated among the jury. While some passages may feel dense to those less drawn to procedural detail, this granular approach enhances the narrative’s credibility.

The Cut Throat Trial stands as a compelling and thoughtful contribution to contemporary crime fiction. Its impact lasts beyond the final page, stemming from an honest portrayal of how justice is pursued and how its imperfections touch all involved.

By refusing to simplify guilt or innocence, Fleet leaves readers with a sharper awareness of the burdens that legal proceedings place on individuals, especially young people, and of the ethical questions that persist in the search for justice.

The novel encourages deep reflection on the societal implications of judgment and the often elusive nature of truth.

I do love a courtroom drama and this is right up there with the best.
So cleverly written with passages that I couldn't help but read out to the family as some it it was almost poetic.
Told from the perspective of the three defendants, their lawyers and the prosecution (All whom have their own troubles to contend with) I found myself switching allegiances and making massive u-turns on who I thought was guilty.
The reader is drip fed twists, almost at the end of every chapter, that make for an incredibly exciting plot.
I was hooked right to the end. I was also wrong when I'd made my final verdict and the author came up with another plot shock that I hadn't seen coming.
An easy 5 starts from me.

It’s a really long time since I read a criminal court procedural and it was great to be in the hands of someone you know knows what they’re talking about! Because SJ Fleet is of course a criminal barrister in the real world and has published non fiction and is highly successful and visible on social media channels under The Secret Barrister.
Th sooty of three codefendents on trial for murder. The narrators in this novel are two of the defendants, one of the defence barristers, th prosecutor and the Judge. So we get a real all round view of the workings of the criminal legal system. Suitably tense. The humour throughout the book very reflective of The Secret Barristers style so I was a big fan.
Do I think they are a great fiction author? My own jury is out on that one. However for authenticity alone this was a win for me.

I think that The Secret Barrister's two previous non fiction books are essential reading and was very excited to read The Cut Throat Trial. As expected, it is so perfectly executed.
The premise is a fascinating one, a fictional criminal trial from start to finish. It could have been very dry, if written by someone else, but it is utterly gripping. The chapters are written by different characters involved in the trial, the prosecutor, various counsel for the defendants, the defendants and the judge. It is compelling and one where you really want to keep reading just one more chapter.
The defendants are three 17 year old boys who are accused of murder. They are all claiming innocence and blaming the others for the murder (a cut throat defence). The story reveals itself throughout the trial. They cannot all be telling the truth as some of them committed the murder, but who is lying?
Highly recommended .
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a sensational legal thriller - one of the best I have read in such a long time. This is almost entirely set within the confines of the trial of three young boys accused of the murder of an elderly man. Three defendants, three defence lawyers and three different stories about what happened on that fateful night...but are any of those stories true, or is the truth somewhere in between? Read on to find out.....

I really loved the format of this as it takes us through a murder trial from start to finish primarily from the points of view of some of the different people in the court and also by using occasional documents. The crime was brutal and with three defendants it provided a lot of conflicting stories which made it very difficult to truly understand what had happened that night and what part they played. Each voice was well written with the street language and attitude of the defendants, the prosecutor with a lot to prove, the judge whose private voice isn’t quite as politically correct as his public one and a barrister with some challenging history. I found this really engaging with the unreliability of witnesses and the challenge of a defendant who is unwilling to say little in his defence. I loved how this was concluded as it tied up events well and leaves you questioning how easy it is to get true justice.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me an e-ARC via NetGalley! All thoughts & opinions are my own and are not influenced by this.

This book was an interesting read for me. I’ve not read too many legal thrillers so I was really excited to get into this book as I’d heard good things about the author.
The plot twists and turns were great; nothing was predictable, and I was consistently surprised and intrigued when reading the book. It had a really good way of pulling you in and keeping you on your toes. You’d think you have an idea about what happened, then you’d realise you have no idea. It was something that really kept my brain going cause I was trying to figure it out as I read. I liked the multiple POV’s also cause I feel as though it really helped me to understand the characters. And being raised in Wythenshawe, I was so excited to see it mentioned!

It was sometimes hard to follow in that a lot of things seemed to happen at once. There is a full explanation at the end of the book which was helpful but sometimes my mind felt a bit too overwhelmed by everything happening. But i did enjoy this book!!

Rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4 stars) (⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

At over 400 pages, this is very definitely for fans of the legal process. Three 17-year-old young men are accused of a brutal murder on New Year’s Eve. Each deny their part, blaming the others – so who is responsible? The trio of defence barristers, while not working together, must convince the jury (and the reader) of their clients’ innocence, alongside a prosecutor who is determined to come out of the court triumphant. There’s plenty of he said/he said, confused stories and hard questioning as the story is slowly pieced together. It’s an ambitious read, one that will draw a reader in and keep you reading.

It's hard to find a decent legal thriller these days, I love them so I had to give this one a go. Glad I did as it was very entertaining and written brilliantly.

Following a murder trial with insights from all involved, the story twists and turns all the way through and it is addictive, clever and ultimately satisfying.

Intriguing characters and an excellent plot. Definitely recommended.