Summary Justice by John Fairfax
Summary Justice by John Fairfax
Hi All!
Today is my stop on the blog tour for Summary Justice and I am here to give you all some thoughts on the book! I, sadly, did not get a chance to finish the book but I did get over halfway through so I am going to do a little mini-review of the book based on what I have read so far because the book is so compelling and I do want to let you all know how brilliant it is!
First, here’s some more information about the book!
About the Book
The last time Tess de Vere saw William Benson she was a law student on work experience. He was a twenty-one year old, led from the dock of the Old Bailey to begin a life sentence for murder. He’d said he was innocent. She’d believed him.
Sixteen years later Tess overhears a couple of hacks mocking a newcomer to the London Bar, a no-hoper with a murder conviction, running his own show from an old fishmonger’s in Spitalfields. That night she walks back into Benson’s life. The price of his rehabilitation – and access to the Bar – is an admission of guilt to the killing of Paul Harbeton, whose family have vowed revenge. He’s an outcast. The government wants to shut him down and no solicitor will instruct him. But he’s subsidised by a mystery benefactor and a desperate woman has turned to him for help: Sarah Collingstone, mother of a child with special needs, accused of slaying her wealthy lover. It’s a hopeless case and the murder trial, Benson’s first, starts in four days. The evidence is overwhelming but like Benson long ago, she swears she’s innocent. Tess joins the defence team, determined to help Benson survive. But as Benson follows the twists and turns in the courtroom, Tess embarks upon a secret investigation of her own, determined to uncover the truth behind the death of Paul Harbeton on a lonely night in Soho.
True to life, fast-paced and absolutely compelling, Summary Justice introduces a new series of courtroom dramas featuring two maverick lawyers driven to fight injustice at any cost.
My Thoughts
One of the first things I loved about this book was how easy it was not just to read but to also fall into the world that John Fairfax has created. Each and every time I opened the book, I was transported back to that world and everything that is happening within it. The narration is simple but vivid, complex but not complicated. It was definitely the reason that I kept going back to it and really makes it stand out to me. I read a lot of crime and detective novels and I just found this one was that little bit different and unique. It reminds me a lot of Children Act by Ian McEwan.
Moving away from the narrative, what also makes this book so very compelling and addictive are the characters. John has created some very interesting and fascinating characters that have full backgrounds and really bring that something extra to the world. William Bensen is one such character. He is intense, driven, passionate and strong but he is also vulnerable, weak and secretive. All the things that keep you reading as you try and find out more about his character and what actually happened to him. Then there is Tess who is a vibrant character and also a very strong-willed one too but there’s something about her that I was very intrigued by. They both definitely had me turning the pages faster to see where the story would take me.
Lastly there was the case. The main reason that Bensen and Tess have re-acquainted themselves. The case is difficult. It’s not a clean cut case and there are some many facets in play. John really keeps all of his characters and his reader guessing as it all goes on. I found this was just another reason that I kept going back to the book and the reason that I will be finishing this book as soon as I can. I have to know how it all turns out. Where all the links that have been set up will take us and whether or not it will all be resolved in this book or not.
Overall, John has created a very unique, compelling and intriguing book that I would highly recommend and I haven’t even finished it yet! So if you love books that are a little bit different, or if you love TV shows like Suits, then you should definitely pick up this book and give it a go. I am certain that you will not regret the decision!
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