Degrees of Guilt by HS Chandler
Published by Trapeze
Publication Date: 5th September 2019
Mystery & Thrillers
Book Description:
When you read this book, you will think you know every twist in the tale.
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.
My Review:
Edward Bloxham, ecologist, author and broadcaster lies broken on his kitchen floor. His wife Maria stands over him clutching the broken chair leg with which he was struck in her hand as his life blood slowly drains from him. She calmly picks up a mobile phone and rings the emergency services, telling the operator at the end of the line "I've killed my husband". Maria confessed what had happened to the officers who arrived at the house, yet once in custody at the police station she refused to respond to their questions.
This is the scenario presented to the jurors in court who are to decide Maria's fate. We are introduced to Lottie from who's perspective the trial is related. She's a housewife with a 3 year old son, disillusioned with the life her controlling husband Zain has manoeuvred her into. After her initial reluctance to do jury service Lottie settles in and starts to feel she is making a contribution so something outside her home environment. In the time the jurors have outside the courtroom Lottie finds herself making judgments about the personal lives of her fellow jurors and it's clear that there are going to be strong differences of opinion among their group. After a first day clash with self employed Cameron, which he makes the effort to apologise for the following day, Lottie finds herself in his company more and more. Others in the group are drawn to outspoken Tabitha, the foreperson for the jury, but Lottie and Cameron aren't keen to be in her company so end up spending time outside the court together and get much closer than perhaps is advisable. My instinct told me that Lottie really didn't know what she was getting involved in with Cameron and was getting out of her depth very quickly.
While we are hearing events from the jury's side of the courtroom, we also have Maria's thoughts being presented as the trial progresses. There's definitely something we're not being told but with Maria having made a full confession of guilt and been found with the weapon in her hand it's not clear what the missing information could be. She seems quite willing to take any punishment the court finds appropriate so what are we missing...?
The court proceedings with lawyers Imogen Pascal prosecuting and James Newell defending are typical of this type of novel, with the usual challenges and protestations to the judge. The prosecution manages to get a rise out of the defendant as the case is presented which proves that there is a hidden fire inside Maria and it's not until the defence puts its case that we start to understand Maria much more. The whole case is so well written, with the author demonstrating a strong knowledge of the court system and the tricks used by the law teams on both sides.
The book has a great balance of the relationships between the jurors and those involved in the case being tried. Lottie definitely learned some life lessons during her time on jury service and there is a strong message coming across to the reader in respect of making judgments about people's circumstances and personalities at face value. The truth of events which happened in Edward Bloxham's kitchen that day will have you raising your eyebrows at the very least - and while I had a smidgeon of a gut feeling that all was not as it seemed I don't think you will work out the mystery. Sometimes a case hinges more on what isn't said rather than what is.
Great writing as always from this author, I found this to be the perfect book to snuggle down on the sofa and get engrossed in. Just the job if you're a fan of a good courtroom drama.
About the Author:
HS Chandler is the pen name of Helen Fields. AS HS Chandler I write psychological thrillers and legal thrillers. With a background as a criminal and family law barrister, I now run a media company and write the Callanach crime series.
Social Media Link:
Twitter: @Helen_Fields
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