Degrees Of Guilt – HS Chandler – Blog tour read 14/9/19

‘Timely, anger-inducing and very powerful – it’s excellent’ Harriet Tyce, author of Blood Orange

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Tracy Fenton of Compulsive Readers for inviting me to review Degrees of Guilt – mighty new courtroom drama, on the block, published by Orion Books on 5th September.

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 admits that she wanted her husband dead.
Lottie is on the jury, trying to decide Maria’s 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

The Author:

  Former barrister, HS Chandler is a pseudonym for bestselling crime author Helen Fields, who practised for thirteen years in both family and criminal law. Having extensively prosecuted and defended, she is an avid believer in the right to a fair trial, and in the invaluable role that juries play in the British legal system. Helen was born in Hampshire and now lives in the US.

My Review:

A complelling book built on lies and deceit about the power that people are capable of holding over others. Throw in a sordid affair and add the courtroom drama. All that makes Degrees of Guilt a fast-paced, tension-filled thriller.

We meet a myriad of characters during the book, all of which have a story to tell, our central characters though are Maria and Lottie. Along with various professionals, Maria’s lawyer James Newell, prosecution Imogen Pascal and a psychiatrist whos cleary on the side of Dr Bloxham plus DI Anton makes a formidable team shes up against.

Maria’s story begins after 20 years of abuse at the hands of her ‘Environmental celebrity’ husband Dr Edward Bloxham and we see her arriving for court, charged with his attempted murder. An unprovoked attack which has left him wheelchair bound and needing round the clock care.

Lottie a housewife and mother of one, is pulled in to sit jury service on Maria and feels totally out of her depth, assuming that she’s no longer an important part of society, however as the story moves along she remembers the person she once was and how enjoyable it felt. She wants that thrill back and she becomes distracted when she finds it in the arms of Cameron, a fellow jury member.

Cameron a self-employed builder takes a liking to Lottie and things go from courtroom to bedroom before shes had time to blink. He, however, has plans and secrets of his own that he needs to deal with.

A brilliant twist lies in wait, and who doesn’t love one of those. This book will keep you turning the pages late into the night and create a sense of morality and self awareness. Its thought provoking and sensitive nature means this book will leave you considering the story long after youve turned the last page.

To buy Degrees of Guilt – https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/HS-Chandler/Degrees-of-Guilt–A-gripping-psychological-thriller-with-a-shocking-twist/23931729

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