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Summary Justice

'An all-action court drama' Sunday Times

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Summary Justice

By: John Fairfax
Narrated by: Daniel Weyman
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Summary
 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.©2017 John Fairfax Crime Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Mystery Thriller & Suspense Fiction Crime Murder

Critic Reviews

Intriguing . . . packed with accurate legal detail, the story never loses its grip - it is no surprise it's been optioned for TV (Geoffrey Wansall)
An all-action court drama
An elegant, intricate legal thriller with nerve-shredding courtroom action
Benson is a compelling character.The court scenes are irresistible, with as many twists and turns as you could want
I followed his trials, tribulations and eventual triumph with great enjoyment. This unusual courtroom drama is quick-witted and vividly imagined
[Summary Justice] works superbly as a classic courtroom drama, in which nothing is as it seems - even though it really does seem it. Yet what makes the book particularly impressive is that there's far more to it than just brilliant plotting. It also has genuine heart, plenty of interesting things to say about the law and a highly appealing troubled hero. With "a major television drama series" already in the offing, I suspect we'll hear a lot more of William Benson in
the years to come
All stars
Most relevant
loved every word. Such strong characterisation matched with intelligence. can't wait to read the next title.

enthralling

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I had to listen to the first 2 chapters twice. I was drifting off. But a good story. Parts were disappointing. Nicely written.

Pretty Good

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I found my way to this audiobook through the narrator’s backlist, and what a discovery it was. A gripping mystery with unique characters and elegant language. The narration was perfect for the story, with crisp diction and expressive dialogue. I’m intrigued to see how this series develops. Thankfully further books are already available….

A wonderful listen

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Strong characters, clever plot falling just the right side of credible but twisty. Only the almost romance so reminiscent of jk galbraith disappoints. In this day and age I hope for some advance over the endless will they or wont they. Also well narrated. Top marks one of the best books I've listened to this year.

Excellent story

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