The Cut Throat Trial
The Secret Barrister author S J Fleet author
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Pan Macmillan
Published:28th Aug '25
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A gripping legal thriller, the first in a brilliant new series by the bestselling Secret Barrister writing as S. J. Fleet.
A gripping legal thriller by the bestselling Secret Barrister writing as S. J. Fleet.
The first legal thriller from the million-copy bestselling Secret Barrister writing as S. J. Fleet.
'Will leave you gobsmacked' - The Times
'A diamond class legal thriller . . . Five stars' - Janice Hallett, author of The Twyford Code
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It is one of the biggest trials of the year. Three seventeen-year-old boys are accused of the brutal murder of an elderly teacher on New Year's Eve.
Each boy denies it.
Each points the finger at the other two.
But they can’t all be innocent.
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.
Because when the game is murder, the competition is deadly.
Launching a brilliant new voice in crime fiction, a criminal barrister with an incomparable insider’s knowledge, The Cut Throat Trial is the most gripping thriller of the year.
'A sharp legal thriller that grips you from the first page . . . a thrilling page turner' - Mason Cross, author of The Killing Season
'A deviously plotted, whip-smart courtroom thriller that oozes tension' - Neil Broadfoot, author of Falling Fast
'Astute, empathetic, and satisfyingly twisty' - Sarah Vaughan, author of Anatomy of a Scandal
Recommended as one of the the best crime and thriller books to read this month * i News *
Gripping. * Crime Monthly *
Edgy and sinuous . . . a memorable legal thriller and a must read for the many fans of the genre. * Crime Time *
'Gripping and often poignant, The Cut Throat Trial carefully paints a stark picture of what a murder trial is like and how dramatic, and unexpected, its conclusions can be. * Daily Mail *
This book is phenomenal! -- Nicola Sturgeon
A whip-smart courtroom drama with a killer twist * The Sun *
Draws the reader in and keeps you reading. * Belfast Telegraph *
Not so much a front row seat in a murder trial as a journey inside the minds of the necessarily unreliable defendants, judge and counsel, The Cut Throat Trial is both scathing examination of the criminal justice system and an astute, empathetic, and satisfyingly twisty read. . . I’ll be thinking about this one for quite some time. -- Sarah Vaughan, author of Anatomy of a Scandal and Reputation
If you want to know how the law takes its course with people’s lives, you won’t get a more accurate picture than this. It’s truly fascinating to see it turned into a page-turning story. -- Wendy Joseph, author of Unlawful Killings
Compelling and authentic - this had me hooked. * Prima *
Like a front row seat at a hotly contested murder trial. Fast, furious, fascinating and impeccably plotted . . . Legal thrillers don't get better than this! -- Neil Lancaster, author of Dead Man's Grave
Weaves a really compelling plot-driven story with great characterisation. Pacy. Intriguing. Thrilling. Fleet is the new Mortimer. -- Imran Mahmood, author of Finding Sophie and You Don't Know Me
A sharp legal thriller that grips you from the first page and puts you right inside the courtroom. S.J. Fleet's legal expertise combines with a twisting plot and a compelling cast of characters to deliver a thrilling page turner. -- Mason Cross, author of The Killing Season and the Carter Blake series
A clever, compelling, insightful and often witty courtroom thriller from a writer who truly understands the machinations of the criminal court and the human mind. The brilliantly-drawn characters and deft double-crossing kept me reading late into the night. Loved it. -- Anna Sharpe, author of Notes on a Drowning
The verdict is in and it’s unanimous – The Cut Throat Trial is an absolute cracker. A deviously plotted, whip-smart courtroom thriller that oozes tension. -- Neil Broadfoot, author of Falling Fast
Brilliant . . . pitch perfect dialogue, wit and insight, as well as drama, thrills and big reveals . . . Moving, emotional and gripping. -- Helen Fields, author of The Shadow Man
Tightly plotted . . . exposes some profound and necessary truths. -- Joshua Rozenberg
ISBN: 9781035046683
Dimensions: 244mm x 163mm x 39mm
Weight: 660g
432 pages