The Cut Throat Trial is a twisty, gripping story following the trial of three teenage boys accused of murdering a pensioner on New Year’s Eve. Taking place almost entirely in the courtroom, we watch the trial unfold before us and it makes for additive reading.

This book is so well written, I finished it in no time. We are given different perspectives of those involved and each chapter reveals a little more to us as we unearth the truth of what happened that night, which I loved, as well as the workings of a high profile court case such as this which is incredibly interesting to read about.

For me, it also felt realistic - often courtroom dramas/ thrillers like these feel ridiculous or overdone, but in The Cut Throat Trial, the absolutely riveting subject matter has no need for unnecessary or unrealistic dramatics. The ins and outs of the trial, testimony from witnesses and defendants, and surprise evidence along the way (all with the question of who is telling the truth and what really happened that night) are enough to keep any reader engrossed.

The snidey (and amusing) comments from some characters add some light relief amidst the dark and gruesome case at the book’s centre. None of the characters are clear cut - each are complex and have faults. But which of the defenders are lying and which might, just might, be telling the truth?

The book ends with a satisfying, surprising conclusion. I hope we’ll get to enjoy many more releases from the S J Fleet, aka ‘The Secret Barrister’, as this was a brilliant read I’d highly recommend.

The opening chapters of this murder/court procedural were fascinating. The ways the court works, the individual defendants and the prosecutor were well described. The actual case tried was an apparent random knife attack.

However, whilst I enjoyed the actual trial I didn't really need to know the building itself, what everybody was wearing etc. - far too much. I wanted more action!

Thanks to Net Galley and Pan Macmillan/Picador for the chance to read and review.

The Cut Throat Trial is a different take on the courtroom drama. The reader is not just taken through the case itself, but sees beneath the facade of all those involved; from the defendants, to the barristers and judge. Three seventeen year olds are on trial, they are accused of ending Bernard Hooper’s life, in a horrific manner. Outwardly, the case appears to be a slam dunk for the prosecution.

The “peacockery” of court is on full display. All the actors on stage, giving their best performances, having carefully rehearsed their lines. The juxtaposition of the personas they project, set against their silent, buried thoughts and words.

The characters were well developed and interesting. I can’t imagine any reader being able to sit on the fence with their thoughts on the cast, and I’m not purely referring to those accused. The book is told from multiple points of view, each character providing their own truth. The language used at times is brutal and gritty, pulling no punches.

I think the book would lend itself extremely well to a full cast narration audiobook. The addition of all the varied voices would take an excellent book, to a magnificent audio.

This fascinating story allows the reader to see all the complexities and pitfalls of the legal system. How each of the players are interconnected, and reliant on each other. If one person fails in their duty, the house of cards can easily be undermined.

I thoroughly enjoyed this intriguing book. There was nothing remotely predictable in the fast paced pages. Even as you think you have come to the conclusion, there are further surprises to find. It’s a very accomplished debut thriller, and look forward to whatever the author, SJ Fleet, writes next.

The British legal system, copied by many other countries, is perhaps the best in the world. Lack of proper funding and the many failures of the associated services from the police to probation and prison render it a flawed service. This legal procedural fiction by S.J.Fleet shows how the system operates together with a topical case for readers to consider. It lacks the fun and legal characters created by Henry Cecil and John Mortimer but holds the reader’s attention especially for those unfamiliar with legal procedures. This courtroom thriller also lends itself to a potential tv drama.

Sharp, twisty, and full of courtroom drama that actually feels real. You can tell it’s written by someone who knows the legal system inside out because the tension isn’t just in the plot, it’s in the procedure.

This is a very well-written novel, shared from the multiple perspectives of characters involved in a murder trial. I was hooked from the outset and was kept guessing to the end reveal. I have followed the Secret Barrister on Twitter for sometime, and this book provides a somewhat damning insight into our justice system.

I found it to be very thought-provoking, and telling several people they ought to read it. Highly recommended.

At times found it difficult to concentrate on this book,I dIdnt like any character in it and found the writing style not for me so all in all it was quite hard going
It did describe the court and its workings very well and the prosectors descriptions of her role were fascinating in the opening chapters
2.5 Stars but more 3 than 2 so marking it as a 3

The Cut Throat Trial, written by S.J Fleet, is a legal thriller which captures the reader’s imagination. It has an intense sit on the edge of your seat and don’t anticipate the twist at the end plot line which is both enjoyable and nerve racking!
A retired music teacher goes out on New Years Eve to purchase a bottle of champagne to share with his wife, a yearly tradition. He never returns. Bernard Hooper is brutally murdered, killed by a knife injuries. The trial takes place at Ableford Crown Court a year later. As is devastated wife Rita points out, he will never meet his first grandchild. Three teenagers, Craig, Arron and Jamal are accused of killing an elderly music teacher. EAs the trial progresses cracks appear in the case as it is clear the evidence is not as clear cut as it first appears.

The narrative and point of views moves between all the main characters, defendants, Judge etc. each chapter focuses and tells the story from a different viewpoint/voice. The reader also learns about the backgrounds of the characters and none are particularly likeable. The boys’ lives have been shaped by social deprivation, the judge already assumes they are guilty before the trial even begins and the barristers are an eclectic set of individuals. There is lots of court room drama and tension and not surprisingly the novel gives an insight into how trials play out in the English legal system.

This is a morally compelling complex legal drama. Enjoyable to read but also shows the reader not to assume but listen to all the evidence and arguments before coming to the decision of who is guilty (or not). I enjoyed the style of writing, the pacing of the storyline was just right and kept me, as the reader, enthralled in finding out who the killer actually was. I am looking forward to reading the next novel by Fleet.

A retired music teacher has been brutally murdered on New Year's Eve. Allegedly by three teenagers with a Zombie knife. Just ove a year later the case has come to court and the three defendants have their day in court.
Two of them have known each other a long time, but the other one is from another area and it was family circumstances that caused him to be in the area.
The prosecution put their case to the jury, that all three boys are guilty of the crime. Their eye witnesses, however, a year later, are debatable.
When cross examination starts, cracks begin to form.
When the boys start to take the stand, it's clear the the prosecution case is not as crystal clear as they presented.
A really interesting book to read which switches POV from the prosecutor to defending KCs to the judge to the defendants.

Extremely well written and told from the points of view of the various characters involved in a murder trial. This book had me gripped from the start and kept me guessing to the very end revelations. Gives a somewhat damning insight into our justice system and the criminal elements of society-it leaves me thinking that I would certainly not want to be chosen for jury duty and to have the responsibility of deciding someone’s fate based on versions of stories told from different sources and perspectives. I thoroughly recommend.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review and to the author for an excellent piece of work.

The Cut Throat Trial is a tense legal thriller full of twists and courtroom drama, written by the author behind The Secret Barrister. It’s an engaging look at justice, suspense, and the people caught in between.

I’d previously read The Secret Barrister and really enjoyed how it broke down the UK court system, so I was curious to see how S. J. Fleet would approach fiction. It did not disappoint.

This courtroom thriller kept me guessing throughout, pulling me back and forth as the case unfolded. It captured the intensity of legal drama really well while still being easy to follow, even if you don’t know much about the justice system.

The ending was the real standout. I didn’t see it coming until right near the close, and it tied everything together in a satisfying way. Clever, sharp, and well-paced.

The first novel by the Secret Barrister, and it does not disappoint. The book tells the story of a murder of a retired teacher, through the trial of the three teenagers accused of killing him.
Multiple viewpoints are used, we learn about the prosecutor, and about the three defence lawyers trying to prove the innocence of their clients.
This is a richly layered, clever way to involve the reader in the novel. I felt like I was on the jury sometimes, but with bits of added information, which made me change my mind about the evidence very regularly throughout. The police don’t come across very well, and the denouement made me rethink everything I had read. This is very clever, and very readable. I really enjoyed it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is the first novel by The Secret Barrister. It concerns 3 teens who are being tried for murder. The story follows the trial from the points of view of the prosecutor, the Judge, the defence and the defendants. It is a well-written account of the trial from beginning to end. Obviously, as it is based on legal practices, there is a lot of legal terminology. I enjoyed the book immensely and felt as if I was one of the jury as I was so immersed in the story. I read a lot of police procedural books and it was nice to see the other side of the equation. With thanks to the author, Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

The Cut Throat Trial is a sharp and compelling legal thriller that draws the reader straight into the tense atmosphere of the courtroom. Three teenage boys are accused of the brutal murder of their teacher on New Year’s Eve. Each claims innocence, each blames the other two, and the truth lies buried beneath a web of lies and strategy.

The book’s structure is particularly effective, told through the voices of the defendants, the defence barristers, the prosecutor and the judge. Each perspective offers a different slant on the truth, keeping the reader questioning what really happened. This shifting narrative creates a sense of unease and momentum that drives the story forward.

The detail of the legal process is both accurate and engaging, providing authenticity without slowing the pace. The barristers’ tactics are ruthless, the atmosphere in court claustrophobic, and the sense of competition relentless. The judge’s commentary adds moments of dry humour, which provide lightness against the heavy subject matter and show the human side of the trial.

At its heart, this is a story about guilt, manipulation and the devastating consequences of secrecy. The Cut Throat Trial is gripping, thought provoking and unsettling, making it a standout courtroom thriller.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I really enjoyed the trial being shown from different perspectives. It was interesting to consider that the law tries to remove human emotion but emotions are all part of it. As everyone involved is human. It was pacy but I actually didn’t enjoy the ending as we find out the ‘truth’. It make quite a big social statement at the end. I think it would be a good book club selection (as there is much to discuss) but I feel like I can’t hand on heart say it’s the best crime novel I’ve read as I have too many niggles. Such as the way that the police were shown to be incompetent.

I’d give it 3.5 out of 5!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of The Cut Throat Trial by S.J. Fleet

I read this gripping legal thriller and I couldn’t have predicted a single twist. Three seventeen year old boys stand accused of brutally murdering a teacher on New Year’s Eve. Each points the finger at the others, and it falls to their defence teams to sway the jury. What sets this novel apart is the structure, each chapter explores a different perspective from the judge, the prosecution, the defence barristers and the defendants. It really felt like being inside the courtroom, hearing every thought and strategy unfold.

I felt genuine empathy for all three youths as we learned about their difficult upbringings. The storytelling is balanced and clever, with evidence summaries woven into the narrative so that the legal mechanics never felt dry. This is courtroom drama at its smartest.

If you love legal thrillers this is one not to miss.

In The Cut Throat Trial, three teenagers are in the dock faced with the charge of murdering an elderly man on New Years Eve. Through the viewpoints of the boys themselves, their lawyers and the prosecutor, the story begins to unfold. What really happened of that fateful night, and who is responsible for the crime?

The writing style of The Cut Throat Trail is genuinely engaging, with doubt raised at every corner. Who's turn of events can really be trusted and did the victim have something to hide himself?

It's a brilliant debut and I hope we don't have to wait long for another.

A guessing game and a half – and then some. The complexities of law and its application are eye-watering and opening. Invited into the minds of each character – defendants, barristers, the judge, the reader forms opinions. But are those opinions valid? S.J. Fleet intends that you should pay attention – then throws all sorts of spanners into the works, forcing new sentiments.
Not only is the reader privy to the baggage and history of the defendants, but also those of the barristers, police, and the judge. With deviish and deliciously dark humour, snobbishness and daily assumptions are laid bare to tremendous effect.
A great legal thriller and you are unlikely to guess the final twist. Devious and oh-so possible.

I loved all the Secret Barrister’s non-fiction works so was very to see a foray into fiction! Legal thrillers are my favourite subset of the genre and this was such a good one - mainly owing to the fact it was written by an actual legal professional so the judicial elements were highly immersive and actually believable (as the author has experience in similar scenarios).

“I opened it to be greeted by two police officers. They told me that my husband was dead. Bernard was the centre of my world. We were married for forty-two years. We have grown together. We have defined each other. I do not know who I am, or what my life is, without him.”

I loved the formatting of this book - set out as an actual trial with mixed media elements, this was so intriguing and such a good read. I loved how it was split into the prosecution and defence, with evidence laid out as if it was actual trial documents and the case gradually unfurled throughout. It was almost as if we were a member of the jury, making judgments as the case progressed. Such good formatting!

I really enjoyed that it was multi POV - as we saw the case from multiple perspectives, making the evidence reveals more impactful.

The sense of humour that ran through this book was perfectly my brand of comedy, and I loved how the author weaved comedic elements into an otherwise dark book.

I’d 100% recommend!

ARC copy provided by Picador & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This is the record of a murder trial at Ableford Crown Court. It is fiction but written by a barrister so the court detail is extensive and interesting. The Prosecution is led by Aliyah who has a less than perfect record, so she also appears to be on trial. There are 3 defendants, each of whom is charged with killing a single man. They are represented by their own barristers. The story is told from a first person POV of the judge, the prosecutor, the 3 defendants and their 3 barristers.

Briefly, on New Year’s Eve an elderly man was brutally murdered. 3 teenagers, Craig, Arron and Jamal, are arrested and are now on trial for murder, held on remand in a Young Offender Institution. A cut-throat defence is instigated where a defendant actively tries to shift blame to a co-defendant.

It is rare for me to read a book where not one person is likeable but this is one of them. However do not let this put you off from what is a very cleverly written book. It’s interesting to see how the defendants upbringings affect them but it’s not just the defendants as the barristers all have very different lives that affect them and their actions. In many ways we as the reader are treated as if we were on the jury and as the trial reaches conclusions we are left to wonder if we were on the jury, what would our verdict have been? Oh. And there’s that final twist. Yes that one! Very entertaining courtroom drama.