The Trial

The Secret Barrister meets Janice Hallett's The Appeal. A gripping courtroom drama by barrister and broadcaster Rob Rinder and the first title in a new legal thriller series.

'Hugely enjoyable' Steve Cavanagh
'Ridiculously entertaining' Tom Hindle
'I didn't want it to end' Heidi Perks

NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK

ONE MURDER. ONE IMPOSSIBLE CASE. WHO IS GUILTY?

When hero policeman Grant Cliveden dies from a poisoning in the Old Bailey, it threatens to shake the country to its core.

The evidence points to one man. Jimmy Knight has been convicted of multiple offences before and defending him will be no easy task. Not least because this is trainee barrister Adam Green's first case.

But it will quickly become clear that Jimmy Knight is not the only person in Cliveden's past with an axe to grind.

The only thing that's certain is that this is a trial which will push Adam - and the justice system itself - to the limit...

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What readers are saying about The Trial:

• This is a courtroom cracker.
• Brilliantly plotted with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing.
• The courtroom scenes and interactions are electric.
• It's a must read and hope there will be a sequel - loved it!
• Rinder's own career as a criminal barrister shines through.

Praise for The Trial:

'Strong storytelling with a murder mystery at its heart makes it one to treasure' – Daily Mail

'A pacy and gripping read!' – The Sun

'An exciting start to what promises to be an excellent series, with an appealing central character' – The Guardian

'Such fantastic characters and such a fun read. I loved it' – Phillipa Perry

'This is a book that takes you to the dark heart of the criminal justice system... I haven't enjoyed a legal thriller this much since Grisham's The Firm' – Tony Parsons

'A terrific, pacy read' – Susanna Reid

'A brilliant rollercoaster of a read' – Louise Minchin

'The Trial is in the best tradition of John Mortimer's Rumpole series. A hugely enjoyable British courtroom drama' – Steve Cavanagh

'Rinder's personal experiences as a barrister shine through in a cracking courtroom drama packed with tension and sharp wit' – Sunday Express

'A classic whodunnit with a sensational twist' – The Independent

'Energetic, warm, laced with humour with a truly inventive mode of murder' – Sarah Vaughan

'Brilliant courtroom drama, humorous as you would expect from Rob, and one that I had to read slowly because I did not want it to end' – Heidi Perks

'This one will have you hooked' – Glamour

'The Trial is whip-smart, stylish and gripping, both murder mystery and courtroom drama, shot through with tension, humour and a dark dissection of corruption, status and justice' – Gilly Macmillan

'A ridiculously entertaining whodunit. The Trial is sharp, witty and has a huge amount of heart' – Tom Hindle

'Rob Rinder has penned his first novel, a legal thriller, and it doesn't disappoint' – Jewish News

'An engrossing read by someone who clearly knows their subject matter well. I didn't see the ending coming!' – Faith Martin

'The book is gripping from the first page' – Northern Echo

'A classic whodunnit with a sensational twist' – Yorkshire Post

Number 1 Sunday Times bestseller, July 2023
Richard and Judy Book Club Pick, January 2024