Many thanks to Tracy Fenton and Compulsive Readers for my spot on this Blog Tour.
Have you ever read a book which has caused your soul to hush and go silent just by reading the statement given by accused about her life story? Mine did. Everything which was a woman in me rebelled and cried for Maria as she gave her testimony.
A hush surrounded my soul
A pain gripped my heart
Freedom was taken away
Control was held affirm
Why does a man show power
How low does a woman need to be
But one day she broke
Her control lost its peace
A chair was broken
A skull was flattened
Meet the accused Maria
This was her story, her life
Maria nearly killed her husband and surrendered to the police. Her case was set for trial to be decided by 12 jurors. The story not only told me what Maria had done, it concentrated on a couple of jurors and their flirting and affair with each other. And I wondered why I was being given the 2 parallel stories and if the two should ever meet. And boy, it sure did! And it was explosive!
My first book by HS Chandler, the story blew me away with the delicious reveals it held in its darkest embers. I bought this book as the cover and the story gripped me a bit too much. The author’s writing shook me up, and what I thought I knew was actually what I didn’t know. Nothing was as it seemed, yet it was everything horrifying.
Psychological power plays and abuse was written in a swirling vortex which submerged me to its abyss and at the same time, brought me to the surface with the unpredictable twists. A thriller it was in genre, majority of it a court trial. Accused and jurors had their own dilemma, powerfully exposed at the end.
Wow! A compulsive read which made me glued to it from beginning to end.
I received a free ARC from NetGalley and publisher Orion Books, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!! STRICTLY HONEST AND UNBIASED.
All my reviews can be read here
A former barrister, HS Chandler practised for thirteen years in both family and criminal law. Having extensively prosecuted and defended, she is an avid believer in the right to a fair trial, and in the invaluable role that juries play in the British legal system.
Maria is on trial for attempted murder.
She has confessed to the crime and wanted her husband dead.
Lottie is on the jury, trying to decide her fate.
She embarks on an illicit affair with a stranger, and her husband can never find out.
You will think you know who is guilty and who is innocent.
You will be wrong.
Publication Date: 16th May 2019
Publisher: Trapeze
0 Responses
Fantastic review as usual, I can’t get enough of hearing your thoughts!
And another addition to my TBR… you did it again!
Thank you so much… This was a fantastic read
Great review! This is on my list and I’m really looking forward to reading.
Yayy… I saw the reviews and bought the book. I loved it.
A compulsive read and review!
You did a wonderful review, and put it fantastically into a poem too. Nice to read, Shalini! Have a wonderful week! Michael
Thank you so much Michael. Have a great week
You too, Shalini!
Oooohhh, NICE! 👍
Thank you. Fun read
Fantastic review, Shalini. I love the way you write 🙂 Another thriller to add to my TBR.
Thank you so much Stephen… How are you? What are you reading nowadays?
You’re welcome. I’m good, thank you. Currently reading 11 Missed Calls. I have just finished The Muse by Jessie Burton which I loved, and in September I plan to start reading Ruth Ware’s books 🙂
Did you like 11 missed calls?
I’m only about 150 pages into it. So far it’s disappointing…
Yeah I didn’t like it too.. But I was in the minority
Your creativity is boundless!
Thank you so much ❤️… Sometimes the words come and some days like today, I have nothing to say 🙈🤔🙄😉🤣
Amazing review, Shalini. You have convinced me that this one needs to be my next read. Luckily, i have it on my TBR already
Thank you so much ❤️ it was very very different
I have to stop reading your reviews, Shalini. You are very bad for my tbr pile! Adding this one 😂🤣😂🤣❤😍📚
Hahaha I bought this book when it released and got to read it for the tour… Happy days!! Thank you so much ❤️
Fantastic review! This one sounds really awesome. I’ll have to check it out.
It was pretty fantastic
WOW. I need this. Beautiful review ❤
Thank you so much. This was simply great. I had to buy the book as I was do enamored
Added this to my TBR list!!
You have to read this
I really enjoyed your review, Shalini! You made it come alive and then made me want to read the book.
This was simply awesome. The book evoked so many emotions. Thank you so much ❤️