This was a very harrowing read but I still really enjoyed it , in spite of its subject matter . Martha's baby has died at only 8 weeks old and her sister is on trial for the murder . Things don't sit right with Martha and she is searching for alternate suspects as she really doesn't want to believe her sister could have done it . Its brilliantly written as you see inside the court case , for the prosecution and then the defence . It was really clever to have the witnesses accounts there to read , although I guessed what had happened , I kept thinking I was wrong . Its a fantastic read , equally as good as Anything You Do Say . Looking forward to the next one …. 5 stars from me !!

This is a story about a court case and is told through the main characters .It is very emotional as it is about a baby's death and who caused it .Layla is Martha's child but her sister Becky is looking after her when the death occurs and Becky is now charged with murder.Two sisters in court on opposite sides what a story ,so brilliantly told ,very sad but also quite an unforgettable read .Brilliant .Many thanks to the Publisher ,the Author and NetGalley for my review copy in return for an honest review .

Gillian McAllister is a writer who continues to impress as she proves in this, her latest wonderful psychological thriller. It is a superior courtroom drama that puts the spotlight on two sisters and their families. Martha and Becky are the sisters with very different lifestyles who love and trust each other. Becky has an ex-husband, Marc, and a son, Xander. Martha's husband is Scott and she had difficult birth with 8 week old baby, Layla, who has health issues. With Scott away working, Martha has to go to Kos for her work, she leaves behind Becky, as nanny, looking after the fractious and crying Layla. Becky calls the emergency services one morning after Layla has stopped breathing. The evidence suggests that Layla died the evening before. The police are convinced that Becky killed baby Layla, which results in Becky being put on trial.

Martha and Scott finds themselves mired in guilt for leaving Layla behind for their work. Martha doesn't know what to think, was it an accident or did Becky kill her daughter? The trial is presided over by Judge Christopher Matthews. The narrative goes back and forth in time as we learn about the sibling relationship between Martha and Becky over their lives and receive insights into their respective families. The witnesses, such as those from the medical profession and the social worker give their perspectives, and there are flashbacks to the night when Layla died. This is a thought provoking read that challenges assumptions made in this emotionally harrowing story. It is a gripping and tense book with short chapters and unexpected twists that has you desperate to know what exactly happened. Highly recommended! Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.

I have read and absolutely loved this author's previous two books so to say I had high expectations for this one would be an understatement but, to my delight and indeed relief, those expectations were more than met even though, this time, the ending didn't come as a complete shock to me as it was something I had been toying with for a while!
So, we have Becky, accused of being responsible for the death of Layla, her sister Martha's baby. This in itself means that you know going in that this will be an emotional read. It also hints at it being a very character driven book; which indeed it was. We follow the court case as the prosecution and defense call their witnesses. We watch as a family struggles to try and support both sisters. Then we flashback to the time before the incident and see how everything came to pass. There are a lot of major characters in this book but, once I got them all into my head I managed to keep them in tow for the rest of the book.
It's evident that there has been a lot of research done in order to provide a credible story and for that I really applaud the author. She does say herself that certain elements may have been manipulated for both the plot and its progression but, for me, it all flowed very well. Even when the truth was out and the reasons for it not having been spotted earlier came across as completely believable. Shocking, but understandable.
The main thing that stood out throughout me reading this book was the fact that Martha never quite believed that Becky was guilty, even though neither of them really knew the truth. As already mentioned, I did guess the outcome early but that speaks more to me as a crime fiction aficionado rather than anything the author let slip. That said though, my take on things wasn't ever clear right up until the end so there was still that satisfying feeling when I did reach the book's conclusion.
Characterisation, as always for this author, was excellent. She has, once again, created a cast of real people. Even the Judge with his amazingly aptly named dog, Rumpole! That did make me chuckle. Portraying a family torn apart by sisters on opposing sides of a courtroom must have been a struggle to keep under control but the author manages to make it all so believable without resorting to tricks and tactics. There are the obvious secrets and lies that you find in most families, along with a generous slice of dubious behaviour, but nothing that screamed contrived. As you would expect from following a court case, there is plenty of mind-changing going on as the case is presented. Each new piece of evidence is brought to light, added to complement or conflict with what we already know; or think we know.
One of the things I really loved about this book was the mix of witnesses used by both prosecution and defense and what they individually and together brought to the table. Each of them just minor payers in the bigger cast but each contributing something to the means to get to the eventual truth. Even if that something was a nothing!
All in all, a cracking read that I thoroughly enjoyed and which left me completely satisfied at its conclusion. Thus cementing this author on my ever growing list of favourites. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Beautifully written but unbearably sad. This novel encompasses all the emotions that as parents we feel. And had a lasting impression upon me.

Wow! I do so love a great courtroom drama but this one has left me a complete and utter emotional wreck and I feel like I’ve gone through the wringer as much as these characters have.

Martha and Rebecca are sisters who find themselves on the opposite sides of a courtroom when Rebecca is charged with killing Martha’s baby. The truth of what happened that fateful night is slowly revealed throughout the trial. Was Layla’s death an accident or murder? Martha would quite obviously prefer her sister wasn’t responsible but how well do you ever really know someone?

Various witnesses will appear at the trial, professionals and neighbours alike. Rebecca’s life is put under a microscope, her dirty laundry hung out for all to see; her character under scrutiny and little incidents investigated that may or may not have any bearing on this case. But this story isn’t just about the mystery surrounding Layla’s death and a trial. It’s also about a family divided, who while dealing with the emotional impact from the loss of a tiny baby must sit and wonder where their loyalties lie and figure out for themselves if they believe their daughter/sister/wife is capable of what she stands accused of.

No Further Questions is an incredibly powerful story. While I did have it figured out, the heartbreaking conclusion didn’t punch me in the stomach any less than it would have had I been completely clueless. Cleverly plotted and exquisitely written, this devastating tale really got under my skin. It left me utterly drained and it’s one of those books I just can’t stop thinking about, going over events in my head for hours on end, trying to apportion blame somewhere and not quite being able to do so.

This is the third book I’ve read by Gillian McAllister and what a massive talent she is. For me, No Further Questions is most definitely her best one yet and it’s gone right onto my list of top books of the year. I have no doubt whatsoever it’ll remain there because it will take something truly special to erase this thought-provoking, gripping, tense, addictive, but most of all, unforgettable page-turner from my mind. Highly recommended!

Baby Layla has died and now Becky is on trial for her murder. Becky is also Layla's Aunt and her mother is in the gallery of the trial waiting to find out what happened to her daughter and if her sister is guilty. The story is told from several POV . You are introduced to a witness and then you have their first person account.
I liked the conflict of Martha wanting to know what happened so she can mourn her daughter but also not wanting to know because it’s her sister who’s accused.
I did work out what part of the ending of the book but this did not distract from the enjoyment.
I will read this auutjor again and she would be near the top of my to read pile.
Thanks to Net Galley and Penguin for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

No Further Questions by Gillian McAllister a five-star read that will have you on the edge of your seat. This book will put you through the emotional and physical wringer, you will be left bereft in the best way possible when you finish this story. This story will twist your brain as you won’t necessarily like everyone and at times the courtroom aspect will twist your perspective but you will still be in their corners, hoping they get what they deserve and what’s needed. The story can be hard in places as it revolves around two sisters and one who lost her baby and one who is accused of murdering the baby. What a dynamic. This will be one that I will be telling everyone they need to read.

This is one of my best reads in a while. It has an unusual storyline which is developed carefully to an unexpected finish. The characters are well contrived and believable. The story is handled deftly with sensitivity. The addition of background about the judge at the trial is an interesting addition as is the detail of the two significant marriages. The author drops the occasional hints and if you've noted these,you will feel good later!

I had difficulty putting this book down. I loved the way it was told with the trial at its heart, using different accounts to piece together what happened to Baby Layla. I liked the relationship between the sisters, their closeness but secret jealousy of each other. I did have an idea of the ending but it didn't diminish my enjoyment at all.

This book in my opinion is first class. Two sisters facing each other in court involving the death of a baby. If you like court proceedings, medical facts given, you will like this book. Harrowing at times, but I didn’t see that outcome. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this read. Thoroughly recommended.

This is a great read and once you start, you’ll not be able to put it down.
The plot is unique and well written and all of the characters draw you in.
I’ve given it 4 stars as it was fairly easy to guess the ending and there were no real surprises in the book. It’s definitely one I’d recommend, especially for those who like courtroom dramas.

This is a heartbreaking story of the court case of baby Layla. Was she deliberately smothered by her aunt? I truly did not know who to believe, and the twist at the end took me completely by surprise. Becky and Martha are both realistic and flawed characters. Your heart goes out to each of them in turn. This would be a good read for book clubs; it should generate a lot of discussion. It took me right back to the days of a baby endlessly crying. I will be looking out for more books by Gillian McAllister.

I really enjoy court room dramas and this is up there with the best. The multi character narratives work well and add to the tension, and the author writes well on a very emotive subject - the death of a baby, possibly murdered by her aunt- but also focuses on different types of love and relationships.
I had guessed the ending but maybe because the author planted some good subliminal clues?
I really enjoyed Ms McAllister's first book, but less so the second, so this one feels like a return to form and I'm looking forward to the next one.

Blimey, what a brilliant book this is! No Further Questions charts the court case of a Becky, a woman accused of killing an 8 week old baby. As tragic as this would be in any circumstance, this baby belonged to Becky's sister, Martha. The drama unfolds as witnesses give their evidence, with Becky in the dock, and Martha and the rest of the family in the public gallery. This is a hard hitting story, and is a real 'did she or didn't she?' Absolutely fantastic. I loved it.

I enjoyed reading the different perspectives of each character and witness in the trial, I found this to be a creative and engaging way of moving the story along instead of it being one long courtroom narrative. I spent much of the book undecided about whether or not Becky had killed Layla, and the presentation of evidence makes you think about how what the bigger picture of things things looks like could easily take precedence over what actually happened. I guessed the ending, which I was slightly disappointed about, as I love a shocker of an ending!

Overall this was an interesting read, with good exploration of family relationships and how it would feel for a family to be on opposite sides of a murder trial. I would recommend.

This review is based on a free advance copy that I received from NetGalley.

I found this book quite a heavy read in parts but well written nevertheless. A very emotive subject and harrowing to read but in this day of working mothers very believable.. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review and I look forward to her next book.

Loved the way the multiple narrators ensured you had everyone’s point of view throughout. Suspenseful unveiling of the truth kept me hooked.

I enjoy McAllisters writing greatly. This is the second book I've read by her and will definitely read more. She is amazing at really developing characters and scenes in such a way it haunts you. The writing is always amazing, while they may not really be suspense/thriller per se, they are always making you think and wonder what would you do, this book was no exception. Written in the detail that she writes and quickly engaged me and kept me reading to find out more. I will be recommending highly in Chapter Chatter Pub.

I was put off reading too far into this as it looked like a courtroom drama around a dead baby. The premise is explained very early on. Two sisters face each other across the dock. One had a baby that died the night the other sister looked after her. Having this information so early on kind of made me decide that I didn't really want to read it. I had no burning curiosity to find out how a baby died, nor to explore the family's grief. I have two children and I just didn't feel that this book would entertain. Gillian's previous two books were excellent- full of guessing games and vivid prose, but I just don't want to read further than chapter three of No Further Questions.

What McAllister does best is politics and complexities of relationships, which of course, will be included in such a book as this. I think the addition of a baby dying is just not going to entice me into this one.