The Cut Throat Trial by S.J. Fleet was an engaging and thought-provoking read. It did take me a little longer to get through, as there’s quite a lot of detail to take in, but once I got into the rhythm of the story, I found myself hooked.

One of the things I enjoyed most was how the trial was shown from multiple perspectives. Seeing the events unfold through different eyes gave the story more depth and kept me invested in each character’s role. It felt like being part of the courtroom myself.

The pacing built up nicely, and by the time I reached the final chapters, I couldn’t put it down. The ending completely surprised me- it was clever, unexpected, and the perfect way to wrap everything up.

Overall, a solid courtroom drama with plenty of twists, strong character viewpoints, and a finale that really delivers.

‘The air feels tight as I survey the benches to my right the sensation never dulls, not for me at least.’
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MY. WORD. I barely breathed the whole time I read this! I cannot tell you how easy of a 5 star read this was for me, I felt like I was watching Court TV mixed with Inside Out! I loved it so much!
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This thriller takes you inside the court case of a murder allegedly committed by 3 adolescent boys. It tosses and turns between view points of the prosecutor, the defendants & the defence lawyers. It felt so real, an so raw, and had twists I truly didn’t see coming! The first fiction novel by ‘The Secret Barrister’ but I truly hope not the last!

I enjoy a good courtroom drama and this book really gives a sense of watching a complicated trial evolving in real time especially as we get to have a fly in the wall view of what’s happening to all of those who are involved in trying to prove either the guilt, or innocence, of three seventeen year old boys who are charged with the murder of an elderly man on New Year’s Eve. We get the prospective from each of the defence barristers along with that of the prosecutor and also a few sections in which the judge shares his experience in steering court procedures and keeping control of everything.

It’s a tense and fascinating crime drama and one that I could easily see transferred to a TV series as it explores the minutiae of the case, painting a picture of the accused and the way in which each boy, all unstable narrators, offer their version of events. I don’t want to say too much as that would be to do the story a disservice and this deserves to be read without any spoilers. There were some clever twists I didn’t see coming and whilst I thought I had the outcome of the trial pretty much sussed out, I really hadn’t, and that is what made this such a clever story. I also realised just what a difficult job the jury had in making sense of everything and coming up with their decisions.

Cleverly done, with precise amounts of intricate detail, written by someone who understands the justice system really well and who puts a good case forward highlighting the drama, pathos and the unpredictability of reaching an appropriate verdict.

This is a clever legal thriller covering the trial of three defendants following the murder of a man who went out to get some champagne to celebrate on New Year's Eve.

We get an insight from the Judge, the prosecuting barrister and the barrister defending one of the accused as well as the thoughts of each of the accused.

The different voices make the story interesting but also help explain the legal procedures which I found very interesting.

The trial is absorbing and the different characters are well developed and believable. The story has a few delightful twists which are well plotted.

Outstanding read.

This is a gripping, detailed and immersive read.

Told from multiple perspectives adds a depth that means you feel like you are living and breathing this trial.

It’s gruesome and hard but utterly addictive.

Always wanted to sit on a jury and this is about as good as it gets without sitting !

Incredible book. My only complaint is it was so good it was over way too quick.

Thank you for allowing me to read this. I wish you much deserved success

A murder trial of an elderly man with three accused that literally ran into the arms of the police, you would think it was a cut and dried case but you would be wrong.
The author very cleverly takes you into the courtroom and you feel part of the jury as the evidence unfolds. You are given access to the background of all the characters, the accused and the legal professionals, as the narrative is seen by all sides.
As expected in a murder trial there are many gory descriptions and many twists and turns. There is even elements of humour thrown in for good measure. Throughout the trial you begin to think that some evidence is missing in the bigger picture but all becomes very clear in a suspenseful ending.
A quite wonderful book and insight into the goings on in major trial.

I read a lot of legal thrillers and this is easily one of the best. From the very first chapter, the writing is sharp, witty and engaging; it draws you straight into the fascinating inner workings of the courtroom and judicial system. The story is told through multiple points of view, yet each voice is clear and distinct. Every character is very well drawn, from those with difficult (but sadly very real) layered backstories to the smaller supporting figures who still feel vivid and relatable. The courtroom scenes are packed with fascinating detail and feel completely realistic.
It’s rare to find a book that balances complex legal issues with such readability, but this one achieves it effortlessly and is truly unputdownable. The Cut Throat Trial left me wanting more and I can wholeheartedly say it’s a must-read for any fan of courtroom legal thrillers. I loved it.

A grip the edge of your seat thriller. Compelling,
And thought provoking. Told through several voices but keeps you hooked

This was almost 5 stars for me - it just fell short because I didn’t feel totally engaged with any of the characters enough to be really invested in the outcome of the trial. I think that’s a result of it being told from so many viewpoints, which means there’s ultimately no one to root for and characters can’t be fully developed. There were a lot of secondary story threads which never quite got tied up because there simply wasn’t space. That said it was well written (as you’d expect) and engaging to read.

I loved the concept of this book and the differing points of view. It’s interesting to see what a real trial would be like. Incredibly interesting, yet heartbreaking too. I never knew who to believe or how it was all going to pan out.

As you would expect from the ‘Secret Barrister’ although writing fiction, this is as well written and detailed as it could be and shines a light on the Judicial system with all its flaws in this modern age.
A major murder trial is portrayed from start to finish from multiple POV. The Judge, Prosecutor, the three accused and the Defence for each of them which gives a 360 view of the whole trial.
Absorbing, thought provoking, it’s a real Tour de Force’!
There are twists along the way to keep up the suspense as each of the accused turn on the others, but the final twist surpasses everything. Those who are fans of legal thrillers will love it as I did.

This was a very complex and twisty courtroom drama which, by way of the author's profession, felt authentic and character driven. I enjoyed the story being told through the POVs of the various protagonists and their interactions and the way the lawyers presented certain elements to the jury. However, I also found this the most difficult part of the novel as there were a lot of people and stories to remember! I can imagine it transferring well to a TV series.
Thank you to netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an advance copy of this book.

The Cut Throat Trial is an excellent court procedural by The Secret Barrister (writing as SJ Fleet).

We begin the statement with Rita Hooper, the widow of murdered Bernard Hooper, who sets out what happened to her husband on New Year's Eve 2025.

What follows is the story of the trial of the three young men (Craig, Arron and Jamal) accused of Hooper's murder. The narrative is split between the judge -Jeremy, the prosecutor - Aaliyah, the defending Barrister for Jamal -Jennifer plus Craig and Arron.

As the stories unfold there are several twists that leave you guessing right to the end as to who is convicted and who the actual killers are. I certainly guessed and changed my mind several times during the course of the book.

The story is compelling and I found the added interest of the court procedures fascinating. I mean you know that prosecution and defence are going to twist the story to fit their narrative but its quite shocking to see it written down. Obviously this is fiction but I would assume it is based on truth.

The other part I should warn you about is the actual murder which is described in graphic detail at several points. It's not done to shock though, all the descriptions are necessary.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book (in spite of the gore). As far as I know this is The Secret Barrister's first foray into fiction. I sincerely hope more follow it. S/he certainly has a talent for storytelling. I would recommend this book to fans of early Grisham, those who like a compelling story or those interested in court procedurals.

My love for legal courtroom thrillers began many, many moons ago with John Grisham. But lately, he’s just not been delivering the goods. In my most humble opinion, of course. So I’ve been rather impatiently waiting for someone to fill that gap, and by golly, I think someone has finally stepped up to the plate.

Three teenagers are on trial for the brutal murder of septuagenarian Bernard Hooper. Each of the defendants has his own barrister, and each one of them is pointing the finger to the other ones. There is obviously also the, rather unlikeable, prosecutor and the judge. All these characters get the opportunity to speak, to show you what’s going on behind the scenes. Some of it you’ll gladly nod along with, other things will make you frown. As happens quite a bit, I’m sure, some have already made up their minds about the guilt or innocence of these defendants, without even a shred of evidence being presented. And there are some others who seem to find it perfectly okay not to disclose everything. Justice, indeed.

Just when I thought I had a handle on things, something happened, or someone would say something, and I found myself right back at square one. Trying to reach a decision on the fate of these three teenaged boys was no easy feat. The investigation was a bit of a shambles, to be fair. I realised quite early on I was missing vital information, and I had many questions that remained unanswered. I found there were some tiny clues scattered around that I tried to keep track of in the back of my head, but I still failed to see the big picture.

The way "The Cut Throat Trial" is written, it puts the reader right there in the courtroom. I felt like I was an actual member of the jury. There are no unnecessary bells and whistles, there is absolutely no need for them either. It’s just solid and extremely compelling storytelling from the very first page until the last, offering you a front row seat at a murder trial.

Imagining I was sitting in a row of the jury box seemed fun at first, but it soon became apparent what a massive responsibility it would be. Dazzling twists and turns would have taken that impact away, I think, so I appreciate that the author shied away from that. The events that occur all feel rather natural, not meant to blind or distract the reader. Instead you're able to focus on what you're being told by the various characters, to decide for yourself if you should believe them or not.

While I obviously had more information to hand than the jury members, I was very interested to know if we would reach the same conclusions. Spoiler : we did not, and only agreed on two. It wasn’t at all hard to grasp the difficulty in ignoring background and character, and to focus solely on the evidence, or lack thereof. Here again, I was smug to think it was a job well done and then the final pages … well, jaw-dropping doesn’t quite come close. Well played.

This legal thriller is entirely on a different level than the ones I’ve read before. It’s realistic and believable, utterly absorbing and so incredibly well written and plotted. I had high expectations, which S.J. Fleet surpassed most convincingly. It wouldn’t at all surprise me if "The Cut Throat Trial" would find its way onto my list of books of the year. Definitely recommended and I look forward to what’s next!

Many thanks to Pan Macmillan, The Author and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book for review.
I have followed The Secret Barrister for years on their social media, so when I saw they’d written a novel under S. J. Fleet, I was instantly curious. I wasn’t sure how their sharp legal insight would translate to fiction, but honestly, it really works. The story’s tense and layered, and the courtroom scenes feel totally legitimate without being bogged down in jargon. I liked how the story unfolded through different viewpoints—it kept me guessing. It’s darker than I expected, and the characters aren’t easy to warm to, but that felt intentional. Overall, a strong, thoughtful debut that lives up to the anticipation.

Three seventeen-year-olds stand trial after the violent death of a retired man on New Year's Eve. The novel follows the trial through the viewpoints of the prosecution, three defendants, the defence counsel for the third defendant and the high court judge. It shows the trial process in intricate detail and highlights its vulnerabilities, most of which are human-led. It is a disturbing and emotionally immersive read, where your sympathies shift with each revelation. All the players have intrinsic prejudices and secrets, and all take on the role of an unreliable narrator, which makes it challenging to ascertain the truth. The reader has an omniscient view of events, as they are privy to the thoughts of the leading players in this courtroom drama. The trial is labelled cutthroat because the defendants accuse each other while denying their own guilt. It is well-written and compelling to read, with unexpected twists that keep the reader engaged. I appreciated the knowledgeable writing, the moral questions it poses, and the believable characterisation.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

A courtroom thriller written from different viewpoints. Despite the authenticity of the legal jargon, I got lost in the multiple characters and at times the slow narration. Fans of a good legal mystery will enjoy but it was not for me.

Justice can sometimes be messy, confusing and has been likened to a theatre production, rarely funny, and full of actors in strange costumes and wigs who follow set procedures and historical laws.
Justice must be seen to be done and a person is innocent until they are not. Most people are perplexed by punishments given out that do not fit in with the ideas expressed by the “ Court of public opinion “.
This novel uses a Crown Court setting, and three young men have been charged with murder. Each man has pointed the finger of blame onto the others.
The jury has been told that “ they are in charge”, but no experience is needed to become a juror, your name is picked off the electoral roll and this simple deed gives almost everyone the chance to pass judgement upon their fellow man.
We are taken through the process of bringing a case to court, the statements taken by the police, CCTV evidence, eyewitness accounts, and DNA forensic results. The sheer amount of investigative work needed to give each defendant a chance at justice that now involves phone records and social media accounts, each is conveyed to the jury, witnesses and the accused in legal language that is so unfamiliar to the public at large.
We hear of prosecutors and defence teams that are each trying to do their very best for their clients, who can be hostile, uncooperative and really test everyone involved.
This book will either challenge or confirm cherished beliefs about the justice system in England. Admittedly, this is a difficult and hard read, but it is not without some humorous input from all sides of the court. There is a very unexpected conclusion which will cause the reader to wonder if we can ever get crime and punishment right first time.
I loved this book. A very interesting and arresting novel from the Secret Barrister, which gives much pause for thought. Excellent in all ways.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Pan MacMillan, for my advance copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. A five star read. I will post to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.

My first legal crime thriller and definitely not my last!

I liked that the story was told through different perspectives.

This book is easy to read and hard to put down

S. J. Fleet, writing under the well-known guise of the Secret Barrister, makes an impressive debut in legal fiction with The Cut Throat Trial, a taut and intelligent courtroom thriller. The novel centers on one of the most high-stakes trials of the year: three seventeen-year-old boys are accused of murdering an elderly teacher on New Year’s Eve. Each boy denies guilt, each points fingers at the others, and the barristers defending them face the immense challenge of untangling the truth while presenting a compelling case to the jury.

Fleet’s background as a criminal barrister lends authenticity and insider insight to every aspect of the trial. The courtroom scenes are meticulously detailed, the legal strategy both plausible and engrossing, and the tension rises page by page as the reader is drawn into a morally complex landscape where innocence and guilt are never black and white. The prose is sharp, the pacing relentless, and the twists—though grounded in procedural realism—remain genuinely surprising.

The novel also explores the human side of legal battles: the pressures on young defendants, the ethical dilemmas facing lawyers, and the emotional toll of a case that grips an entire community. Fans of legal thrillers like Anatomy of a Scandal or The Twyford Code will appreciate Fleet’s combination of procedural rigor and narrative suspense.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A gripping, twisty, and immersive legal thriller, perfectly suited for readers who love courtroom drama infused with moral complexity and razor-sharp plotting.