A Game of Proof (The trials of Sarah Newby) [Kindle Edition]

This is a compelling page turner. It works well at a number of levels; a courtroom and family drama, murder mystery and psychological thriller. As a reader, I was immediately engaged with the characters. There's a diverse range, each carefully depicted and totally believable. Sarah, the central character is highly driven by her career and ambition. The backfill to the plot explains why. Early on I was wondering what the cost of her ambition was going to be. I wasn't disappointed by the way the plot develops. The seeds for what happens later are sown early. The reader is led skilfully into the drmas as they unfold.

The story starts very strongly with an almost visual account of a rape trial. You can see and hear the people in the courtroom. The prosecuting and defence barristers and their 'take' on the facts is absolutely plausible and mirrors similar events in a real trial. The main witness, belligerent, helpful, antagonistic, vulnerable. We are taken through a range of personna as she gives her account of events. The story develops seamlessly into a strong murder mystery and an unfolding drama of family conflict.

Mr Vicary has captured dialogue very well, from the idiosyncracies of the legal professionals to local dialect. He brings attitudes to life. The written style is simple, but highly effective. It flows easily and naturally which makes for compulsive reading. A great story, with a surprise twist, well told and is highly recommended. I'll be looking for more from this author.

Having read the other reviews, I thought I'd try this book and I really wasn't disappointed; it is indeed a very well written book, with very believable and realistic characters, and a thought-provoking and gripping storyline.

I devoured the book in one sitting, staying up until the small hours of the morning, desperate to know the outcome of the trial of Simon, Sarah's son, 'whodunnit' and how Sarah and those around her would be affected by the trials and tribulations they faced throughout this book.

I'm hungry for more, and can't wait to sink my teeth into the next two.

Definitely worth a read - but beware - you might not be able to put it down (and you also might have to buy the next two...)!

Sarah Newby is a dedicated, driven and ambitious barrister. After a teenage pregnancy giving her a son, marriage at 16, soon divorced then remarried to a teacher with whom she has a 15 year old daughter, she has set about getting an education and is beginning to achieve success in her career at the criminal bar in the north of England

The book opens with Sarah defending a devious piece of low life, Gary, on a rape charge. A number of other attacks on young women have taken place in the area and the police are also trying to establish whether one or more rapists/killers is involved and could any of the attacks have been carried out by Gary. As his trial closes another body is found but this time the police are convinced that Sarah's son, Simon, is the perpetrator. The case eventually goes to trial and Simon persuades his mother to take the unusual step of defending him.

I don't think readers of crime/legal fiction can ask much more of a book. All the characters are well drawn, from Sarah herself, to the devious Gary, the quirky instructing solicitor Lucy, Sarah's husband, son and daughter and the rest of the cast were, for me, completely believable. The writing is clear and the plot complex without being over complicated. There are some heart stopping moments when, for example Sarah has to identify the body of a young woman believed to be her missing daughter and tension as we await the jury's verdicts on Gary and her son and the final race to reveal 'who done it'.

This is a must for anyone who enjoys crime fiction. I shall be moving on to the second book in the series as soon as I can.