Nicola Williams: Until Proven Innocent, Hamish Hamilton, Penguin Random House UK, 9780241562710,
Some books you start take a while before they really hook you. This was the case for me with "Until Proven Innocent" by Nicola Williams which begins with the shooting of Reverend Matthew's 15 year old innocent son Paul. Could he have been mistaken for his brother, badass drug dealer Tony, who has enough enemies and a prison record ?
The novel is an excellent build up to the court case against corrupt, racist police officer Lawrence who is accused of the near killing of the victim who remains brain dead on life support.
At first I was a little irritated but fascinated at the same time by how seemingly disconnected each character enters the plot and slowly becomes part of the complete picture. I especially liked barrister Lee Mitchell who of Carribean decent, is a rising star in the law chambers until she is muscled into defending Lawrence whom she despises. I knew little about the British court system and learned quite a bit while turning the pages faster and faster until the novel climaxes with the actual trial.
How can a lawyer justly defend a client whom she despises is one of the main questions of the novel as is the situation of people of color in the British judicial system.
Excellent mystery and characters, the author was a barrister herself and it shows in the quality of the novel.
