Dissection Of A Murder

Author: Jo Murray
Genre: Legal/Domestic Thriller
416 pages
Publisher: Dutton

Synopsis
Nothing is as it seems—and no one is telling the truth—in this page-turning thriller about a young lawyer forced to defend a man on trial for murder against the mentor who taught her everything: her husband.

When Leila Reynolds is handed her first murder case, she’s shocked by the victim: a well-known, well-respected judge, whose death sent shockwaves through the legal community. She’s also incredulous—she’s nowhere near experienced enough to handle such a high-profile assignment—but the defendant is insistent: he wants her, and only her, to represent him.

Except he’s refusing to talk. And if that wasn’t complicated enough, Leila soon learns her opponent is the most ruthless prosecutor she’s ever known: her husband.

It’s an impossible situation, yet Leila is determined to sway the jury to her side—until she’s blindsided once again by a shadowy figure from her past. Suddenly, Leila finds herself fighting not only for her client and marriage, but also to keep her own secrets buried. And if she has to rewrite the rules to win, so be it.

My review
Dissection Of A Murder is a debut thriller from Jo Murray. What a ride! Blending elements of domestic suspense and legal thriller, this novel delivered a highly entertaining reading experience. I was especially impressed by Murray’s ability to juggle multiple POVs and a large cast of characters while keeping the storyline clear and easy to follow. I never felt lost or overwhelmed.

Most legal thrillers I read are centered around the US justice system, so I really enjoyed getting a glimpse into the UK legal system here. While this isn’t the kind of heavy, serious legal thriller I usually read, it’s immensely fun and highly addictive. In tone, it felt more comparable to Steve Cavanaugh’s Eddie Flynn series than the more traditional style of John Grisham or Scott Turow.

Leila is a young barrister who worked her way out of a difficult upbringing to build a career in law. She’s stunned when she’s assigned a high-profile murder case involving the death of a respected judge, especially when the defendant insists on having only her represent him. To complicate matters further, the prosecutor on the case happens to be her husband, the man who taught Leila everything she knows. Leila was by far the most fully realized character in the novel. The supporting cast was more one-dimensional, though honestly, the strength of the plot made that easy to overlook.

Packed with scandal, morally questionable characters, and twists that unravel layer by layer, Dissection Of A Murder was a thoroughly entertaining read. It may not fit the mold of the serious legal thrillers I usually gravitate towards, but it was gripping, dramatic, and an absolute blast to read.

My recommendation: very fun read and highly recommend!