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The Cut Throat Trial by S. J. Fleet
Jun. 14th, 2026 07:33 pmThe Blurb On The Back:
Can a jury ever get to the truth?
In the early hours of New Year’s Day, police find the mutilated body of a seventy-four-year-old man in the street, a large knife sticking out of his chest. Three teenage boys, soaked in blood, are charged with his murder.
The prosecution say that this was a random joint attack: three feral youths acting out a twisted internet urban legend. Each boy denies murder. Each has his own story. Somebody is lying.
The three defence barristers have only one job: to persuade the jury that their client is not guilty. But they’re up against a prosecutor who needs to win the case, no matter the cost. As vital evidence is hidden, witnesses go missing and dirt tricks lurk around every corner, the trial goes cut throat.
Witten with an insider’s perspective, a dramatic courtroom thriller unfolds. And you have a front row seat.
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
S J Fleet’s (aka the Secret Barrister’s) debut courtroom thriller is a compelling and technically accomplished affair. The courtroom scenes and procedure are authentic and they use it well to up the stakes and the tension so that you’e never sure how the story is going to end. Although the last couple of chapters with the reveal of what actually happened don’t quite work there was more than enough here for me to want to read their next novel.
In the early hours of New Year’s Day, police find the mutilated body of a seventy-four-year-old man in the street, a large knife sticking out of his chest. Three teenage boys, soaked in blood, are charged with his murder.
The prosecution say that this was a random joint attack: three feral youths acting out a twisted internet urban legend. Each boy denies murder. Each has his own story. Somebody is lying.
The three defence barristers have only one job: to persuade the jury that their client is not guilty. But they’re up against a prosecutor who needs to win the case, no matter the cost. As vital evidence is hidden, witnesses go missing and dirt tricks lurk around every corner, the trial goes cut throat.
Witten with an insider’s perspective, a dramatic courtroom thriller unfolds. And you have a front row seat.
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
S J Fleet’s (aka the Secret Barrister’s) debut courtroom thriller is a compelling and technically accomplished affair. The courtroom scenes and procedure are authentic and they use it well to up the stakes and the tension so that you’e never sure how the story is going to end. Although the last couple of chapters with the reveal of what actually happened don’t quite work there was more than enough here for me to want to read their next novel.
