This book has a wealth of characters but it lacked a little in plot for me. I still enjoyed it but I much preferred this authors second book. The plot didn't hold my attention in this book as it did with that one. A good read however and I look forward to more from this author.

No Further Questions should come with a health warning as it seriously disrupts sleep. And for parents I would imagine it is an even more disturbing read. Obviously meticulously researched by Gillian McAllister, this novel charts a courtroom drama with a difference - well several differences in fact. That it pits two, very close, sisters against each other is, I would imagine, a very unusual scenario but a further point of difference that I particularly enjoyed is that just when another witness was due to give evidence you were given their backstory. This is a far more interesting and engaging alternative to pages of dialogue. This context only added to the drama. And the twist - well I didn't see that coming! Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for a copy of this e-book in exchange for an unbiased review.

I am grateful to netgalley for a free copy of this book. I read it cover to cover in two days. That’s the reason I am giving this book two stars: because it’s highly readable. However... I found it predictable and, above all: depressing. The plot I mean. It was really sad. My thinking when reading sad books is that they have to give something back. If a plot’s subject matter is ‘heavy’ - say, if it involves violence against a vulnerable person or persons - there has to be a reason for it other than just entertainment. It has to be impeccably and artfully written, it has to build a set multilayered characters that you feel you know and you WANT to know. A good example here is my favorite book, A Little Life. That’s a hard read in terms of the subject matter it focuses on and the story its main characters weave. It’s... intense. But you enjoy the story and enjoy reading it because you feel like you are getting to KNOW (and eventually DO know) a number of beautiful and complex and completely human characters. This book doesn’t do that for me though. It doesn’t give other than a sad and predictable plot about the saddest of deaths. You finish reading it and you just feel... sad. You ask yourself, “what was the point of that? I didn’t connect with any character, none of them felt ‘real’ either. I learnt nothing and gained nothing from this.” It wasn’t even a complex trial story, like Defending Jacob which I really like and always recommend. This book was instead just... sad.

'No Further Questions' follows the trial of Becky. Becky is on the stand accused of killing her niece Layla, whilst babysitting her. The story flips between the court case/present and the time it happened. It's emotional, gripping and will leave you questioning every character as though you too are on the jury. The characters are so in depth considering the length of the book, you feel like you're a part of the story not knowing who to trust or doubt. I thoroughly enjoyed this, the twists and turns were fantastic and I adored the writing style of Gillian. Highly recommend this to anyone who loves psychological thrillers or crime thrillers, it's so much more than a "who dunnit?"!

I love Gillian McAllisters books and this one was no exception. It made me sad that a baby could be harmed by her aunt. I loved reading about all the court procedures. Books that make me think are my favourite kind and this book certainly did that.

A dreadfully possible story where a baby dies while in the care of her aunt. It is based on today's premise that all mothers work and examines the conflict between staying home with the baby and going to work - but it is more complicated than that.
It is an interesting topic written from the perspectives of the characters and I enjoyed it. It is all about the court case and can become repetitive as the witnesses are examined. The twist at the end is not really surprising but waiting for the verdict keeps you reading.
I recommend this book.

A compelling read set as a courtroom drama with the storyline developing through statements . Baby Layla is found dead in her crib aged 8 weeks. She is being looked after by her aunt/nanny Becky while Martha ,her mother iisxaway on business as is her father. The two sisters are in court with Becky , based on circumstantial evidence, is charged with murder. The case splits the families apart and makes the two sisters reflect on their lives. Could Becky really have carried out this travesty? The experts think so but something niggles as Martha. One crucial piece of overlooked information influences the direction of the case and affects the outcome. Another refreshing read from this up and coming author.

This court based drama keeps you guessing. Becky is on trial for the murder of a baby... Her sister's baby, whom she was looking after.
The suspense of the trial, coupled with the emotional subjects of grief, and the sister's relationship keeps you turning the pages. Would recommend.

I have recently become a fan of Gillian McAllisters books and could not wait to dive into this one. No Further Questions had an original story and I was hooked from the very start. It is an emotional roller coaster where the characters get under your skin and you really don't know the truth until the very end..

Becky is working for her sister Becky as a nanny for her 8 week old niece Layla. Becky has gone away for work as has her husband. Layla is not the easiest of babies, constantly crying. Becky is doing here best but it is not enough. She wakes in the morning to find her niece not breathing and calls an ambulance. Not only is she having to deal with Layla's death but she has also been accused of murdering her when the autopsy reveals that she was smothered.

Not only is this the story of how Layla died but it a story of family, of love and friendship, The family struggles to come to terms with it all and throughout the court case the story of that night come so out from various points of view. The characters are realistic and the story just gets you. As a mother it was tough to read at times but it is a wonderful book and is definitely a 5 star read for me.

Thank you to Penguin UK Michael Joseph and Net galley for the advanced copy of this book to read. My opinions are all my own and in no way biased.

#NoFurtherQuestions #NetGalley This was a really emotional storyline that was well written with complex but interesting characters. I enjoyed the fact that it was told from the perspective of different people especially Martha and Becky. Although I did find it a little bit unrealistic that two new parents would leave their 8 week old baby who was obviously having some health issues for two whole nights - even with a family member. Also, what I found a bit frustrating was the telling of the witness stories which I found to be really slow and repetitive, almost like I'm going to tell you what I'm going to say, I'm going to say it and then tell you what I've said and I found myself skim reading to get back to the nitty gritty of the story which for me could have moved along much quicker. I guessed the ending about half way through but not the exact details. It was a good read but for me, not as gripping as other books I've read.

Woah, this was such an inventive storyline and as I went on I kept gasping at every new event. There were so many twists and turns in this book it's crazy. Though not enough to distract from the storyline which I love. I would highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to try it.

This novel may be advertised as a courtroom drama but it’s really more of a love story: love between parents and children, brothers and sisters, partners and ex-partners. As such, although the circumstances which brings everyone together in a criminal court of law are tragic and extreme, the reader can appreciate the moral dilemmas explored, and the intricate range of emotions that they engender.
Martha’s eight week old baby, Layla, dies one night when in the care of her sister, Becky, an experienced mother – she has a primary school-aged son, Xander. Like her sister, Becky finds it difficult to placate the fractious Layla who cries more than she sleeps. When Becky is accused of Layla’s murder, Martha finds it very difficult to accept that her sister is guilty but no other narrative seems feasible.
Over the course of the novel we hear many different voices giving their testimony on court, not least the medical witnesses and various neighbours who are finely depicted. Each has their own character and the details – sometimes conflicting – are the building blocks of the story along with the internal voices of Martha and her family. McAllister’s characterisation is subtle and convincing – more so than in her previous novels – and it is exciting to see how she is developing into a writer who is well able to understand and delineate contrary and complex aspects of human nature so effectively.
Because McAllister has created all of the characters so carefully, as well as giving the readers copious relevant details about the circumstances surrounding the crime, the outcome is entirely plausible, even though it may not be expected. Nevertheless, anyone who reads this novel as a ‘whodunnit’ is missing the point. The story is about family in all its mess, love, loyalty and complexity. Highly recommended!
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.

This is such a powerful book - couldn't put it down!
Martha and Becky are sisters. Martha is married to Scott and Becky to Marc. Becky has a son, Xander and Martha has just had Layla.
Becky is a sort of nanny to Layla and ends up looking after her for two nights while Martha is in Greece on business and Scott away. Layla is a fractious baby and cries all the time driving Becky crazy.
Then Layla is found dead but how and who is responsible. This will have you guessing and hoping right to the end. Can the sister's relationship survive and what about the relationships with their parents and brother?
Are the husbands able to help?

This was absolutely superb - a book which tears you in two directions and leaves you not knowing where your loyalty lies. Cannot recommend it highly enough.

What an enthralling read!

I was really intrigued by the blurb and was thrilled to be sent a e-copy by NetGalley to give an honest review.

To add to the tragedy of losing her baby, Martha’s sister is accused of her murder. Her beloved sister couldn’t be capable of such a thing, could she? It is such a convincing portrayal of a family ripped at the seams. Equally heart-wrenching and gripping. The multi-narrative allows the reader to see the story unfold from different perspectives, adds to the suspense and gives a proper sense of the confusion felt by the whole family – who or what do they believe? I’d highly recommend it!

A court case involving two sisters after the death of a baby whilst in the sisters care.

Great emotional, sad, happy story that keeps you enthralled throughout.

A little slow but you just keep coming back for more.

Hard to put down.

What a sad book. What a hopeful book. What a moving and convincing book. Everything that I want from a novel is here: a gripping plot, well drawn characters, human emotion, empathy and an overriding sense of love and goodness. I read it from cover to cover, and, though I suspected the outcome, was happy that I had misjudged the motive. A tragedy of love and life, but with the hope that comes from strong family bonds. It is a book I will remember.

This is a compelling, and, at times, heartbreaking read about 2 sisters facing each other in court and it's also about love and family and heartbreaking grief and it's so well written. Especially as it's a difficult subject that is handled well by Gillian McAllister.

Becky, the defendant, stands accused of murdering her sister's baby. But, Becky is adamant she is innocent.

Martha appears to have it all, a luxury flat overlooking the sea, attentive husband, brilliant career in charity work and a baby, Layla. And Martha wants to believe her sister is innocent. But.......... Theres always a But!

Told from the point of view of both sisters, interspersed with comments from characters involved in the case, such as the judge, a social worker, we experience Martha's grief and guilt, Becky's sadness and lack of understanding as to what happened as well as the cold, hard, harrowing evidence given by medical experts. So it leaves the reader with little doubt, with the seemingly irrefutable evidence being presented by the prosecution, how the trial will end. But all is not as it seems

I guessed the twist well before the end but this in no way detracted from the impact of the ending.

Despite it being a court room drama, which sometimes can be very slow and slightly boring, it's anything but and all of the characters are interesting and have depth. You cant help but be invested in this story, Martha for me was the real pull for me, her love for her sister and her love of her daughter, 8 week old Layla have left her in limbo land until the verdict of the case is established. Of course she doesn't want it to have been her sister, she wants to be able to trust she is telling the truth, but with everything becoming more concert against Becky, how does she feel about her sister now?

If I try to put myself into Martha's shoes I don't know how I would have coped in that situation! Or what verdict I wanted to come out of that court room with.

Certainly leaves a lot to think about and it will be a great book for book clubs with so many talking points throughout the book.

Even if you have never read a book by Gillian McAllister (which you should do btw! They are equally as good as this one!) you will defiantly be swept along with this one.

The kindle version in UK is on sale at the moment for just 99p so go grab a fantastic read quick whilst it's on offer :-)

WOW!!!!!
This is the first Gillian McAllister book and it most definitely will not be the last.
Talk about edge of your seat reading.
Two sisters, Martha and Becky, are so close but get torn apart by the death of Martha's 8 week old baby. The baby died in Becky's care.
Was the death intentional? If so, who done it?
Thank you Gillian for an unforgettable read.

A clever fascinating and gruelling read which merits our continued attention.

The book forensically dissects the relationship between two sisters and takes the reader through a court case to determine if one sister murdered her niece.

Well we emotional and powerful it grabbed my attention and never let go.