Brilliant

Loved it. Narration great ill definitely be getting rhe next book in the series.

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Guilty or.....

Excellent continues on from the first book with was he guilty or not and a new courtroom thriller full of intrigue. Full of great characters who keep the story flowing so that you don’t want it to stop and that you can’t wait for the next book in the series

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So enjoyable! Loved the characters.

Just as good as first book, leaves issues yet to be resolved for next book.

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Fantastic

I came across this series by accident and am absolutely gripped by them. Excellent plot and narration.

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More riveting crime & courtroom drama

On the strength of how much I enjoyed the author’s first foray into this genre, Summary Justice, which had me rapt from start to finish, I immediately downloaded this recently published second book again featuring William Benson. He is a most interesting central character: a man convicted of murder by circumstantial evidence but who then transformed himself into a barrister of exceptional ability.

If anything the present book is even more engrossing but also more complex than its antecedent as there is delving into Benson’s troubled mind interwoven with several strands of narrative that switch back and forth to describe Benson’s experiences in prison; his court appearances defending an unsavoury character, Stainsby, accused of murdering his girlfriend; the efforts of Benson’s instructing solicitor, Tess, to find evidence that Benson is not guilty of the murder for which he was imprisoned; and a complicated web of undercover police activities. The latter appear in the last hour or so of the book and over which I needed to concentrate to keep track.

The truth of whether Benson did or did not commit murder still hangs in the balance but the book ends with a hint that there may be a clue to who committed the crime plus references to a new case, The Limehouse Murder, that Benson is being asked to defend, which I hope will appear as a new book in what so far are exceptionally engrossing books reminiscent of John Grisham at his best.

The narrator is again excellent.

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10 people found this helpful

Love the series so far!

Second great listen. The characters are likeable and well rounded. The plot has twists and brilliantly presented. I’m hoping we get to know the truth about Benson eventually- but you do get a feel for being a defender because you never really know for sure.

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He's making a name at the Bar!

Summary Justice, the first book in this series is good but Blind Defence is very, very good.
A year after his first high profile case, the brief for the 'Blood Orange Murder' lands in Benson's unconventional chambers, instructions having come via Tess De Vere. This second case, again draws lots of public attention to our maverick barrister, who goes all out to defend the vile defendant, by sympathetically exploring the victims past. The action at The Old Bailey, in the "oak paneled arena" of Court 2, is intense. The outcome, getting the guilty off leaves a nasty taste in the mouth of everyone but there's a rewarding twist, with far reaching consequences that even ties into the personal storyline.
The sub-plot, the intriguing on-going mystery surrounding Benson himself comes even more to the fore, deepens; is explored in flashbacks to him being 'lifer' prisoner Rizzler, and in the secret investigation into his conviction by Tess & her friend Sally. The latter of which is left at an exceedingly tantalising point in time, meaning book 3, Forced Confessions must be my 'go to' next listen.

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I never read a book with a female murder but...

... this one was different in many ways and I'm glad that I persisted. I won't buy into anyone being brutalised in fiction and more often than not, it's women thus victimised. I therefore wouldn't have looked at this book after reading the opening line of the synopsis, had I not just automatically downloaded it as soon as I finished Book 1. I skipped over the crime scene and tetchily began listening to the rest and was soon, once again, enjoying a complex story that had realistic, emotionally well written plot lines all delivered by a skilful narrator. The motivations in this novel were complex but drawn in a believable way. Real motivation is also complex and I never felt that the author strayed from what would be reasonable and credible. I do like the two key protagonists and want to know more about them, though I wonder just how far the author will draw out revelations of the original crime that predates the events covered by the stories. If it goes on much further I'll start skipping over that as well as any gruesome crime scenes and there won't be a whole lot left!

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1 person found this helpful

Excellent

I enjoyed both books in this series and look forward to the sequel. Great twists and turns and narration.

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Love it!

After listening to the first book in this series I was concerned in case .....but it was great. I love the detail and clear portrayal of characters. Can’t wait to start the next one...although a part of me doesn’t want to as it’s the last in the current series. John Fairfax there’s just no pleasing your readers and listeners!! Many thanks!!

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