I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was the kind of thriller you put everything else down for, until you can get to the end. It was enjoyable, but it was definitely a mindfuck to read, especially as a mother. Did not see any of that coming. Five awe-struck stars. I know I won't sleep well tonight.

I only discovered Gillian McAllister this year, having stumbled upon her second novel on Audible. I was immediately hooked (and I even reference it in my own debut!), and so it was with much excitement that I requested No Further Questions.

I have some experience of law, having a degree in criminology & criminal justice, and so it is always thrilling to see an author bypass the stereotypes and put a huge amount of effort into researching the reality. Judging by her Instagram stories, I always thought McAllister was an organised planner, but No Further Questions proves just how thorough she is at research.

Weaved through the technicalities of the case - an eight week old baby, found asphyxiated one morning, having been in the care of her aunt - is the emotional turmoil. Two sisters, a family, torn apart by suspicion, by the evidence presented. To many, it seems obvious that Becky was responsible for her niece's death. And yet her sister, Martha, cannot truly believe it. She has already lost her daughter, she thinks, how can she lose her sister too? As a woman, and as a writer, I'm fascinated by female relationships, how deep the bonds can go, and McAllister conveys this masterfully. The grief Martha feels is heartbreaking, both at the loss of her daughter, and at her sister standing trial for murder.

It was at about 70% where I had a sneaking suspicion about the twist. But unlike my usual smugness when I work something out, this realisation hit me like a blow. McAllister is clever, yes, and utterly ruthless.

A fantastically written courtroom drama. I was kept guessing the whole time and only guessed the truth minutes from it being revealed. A very clever story. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

I was actually disappointed with this one.
I loved her first novel: Anything you do say, so when I read the blurb for this one, I had really high expectations. Unfortunately, it did not live up to that.

Martha seemed almost unbelievable as a character, not natural at all. I saw the plottwist coming from miles away and I felt that it was not resolved neatly.

I absolutely loved Gillian's first 2 books so when she put out an IG post saying it cpuld be requested from Netgalley, I dived straight on there!! And I got a copy!! 😁
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Two sisters on opposite sides of the courtroom....one whose baby has died and one accused of murdering their niece. The police are convinced she's guilty, she says she's innocent....who do you believe?
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I LOVED this book ❤ I couldn't put it down and read it in about 5 hours...it was that good!! It was incredibly well told, the storyline was intense and gripping and the relationships between the sisters and the rest of the family was real. I absolutely loved the different witness perspectives and the court scenes, they were thrilling. It's a tough topic to write about, but I thought it was so well done...I was surprised at the ending, but it all came together really well and I will definitely be adding this to my collection in paperback when it comes out!
I couldn't ever imagine being in a place where I had to decide something like guilt about my sister....whom I adore....so it was heartbreaking to read 😔 but so so brilliant ❤❤

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Martha and Becky are sisters who are so different but so alike. Martha runs a charity and is mother to Layla who is eight weeks old. Without taking maternity leave she employs her sister to be her nanny. Layla is a constant crier and the unthinkable happens and Becky is on trial for the death of her niece.

Gillian has done it again, another gripping read which had me totally absorbed for two days. Absolutely love the way she tells a story with the human element of pain and emotion.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Penguin UK - Michael Joseph, and Gillian Mcallister for the opportunity to read this novel.
No Further Questions is a highly emotional courtroom drama involving two sisters. Becky, the defendant, stands accused of murdering her sister's baby. But, Becky is adamant she is innocent.
The plot was well thought out and keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat until you get to the stunning conclusion.
Gillian McAllister just gets better and better.

WOW - No Further Questions is one hell of an emotional roller coaster ride. I felt emotionally wrung out by the time I got to the end of this heart string pulling tale of families,relationships,misconceptions,mistakes,grief and forgiveness.

Because this is a story about a court case there is quite a number of diverse,vivid characters. You have the Judge,the solicitors,the witnesses for the prosecution and the defence but the main players in this gripping drama are Martha,her husband Scott and their daughter eight week old Layla.The accused Becky who is Martha's sister,Becky`s ex husband Marc and their son Xander who is nine years old at the time of Layla`s death.I really liked the Judge Christopher Matthews,he had a dog called Rumpole which I thought was a very apt name for a judge's dog. I also liked and felt so much sympathy for poor young Xander.The four main adults where complex,flawed characters,three of which I found rather unlikable throughout most of the book but as in any good story and also in reality,sometimes all is not as it appears to be.Innocent events can be misconstrued and twisted into something they are not.Sometimes there are underlying factors and reasons behind a person's behaviour.Throughout the book we are taking back in time and learn about the sister`s relashionship when they were growing up,how and where they met their partners.Layla`s difficulty birth,the interactions within the two families and events leading up to and on the night of baby Layla`s death.The testimonies in court that covered Layla`s treatment in the A&E trauma room and her autopsy where heart breaking and caused me to have a lump in my throat and feel rather weepy as did the final reveal of what happened on that fateful night.

The author has obviously done a lot of research into a number of issues that are raised throughout this riveting thriller.Although as the author states,she had to manipulate some things for pace and plot,the courtroom scenes are realistic and believable.I don't normally read court room dramas but I loved Gillian McAllister`s precious books Anything You Do Say and Everything But The Truth so I couldn't resist reading No Further Questions.And I'm so glad I did,I was hooked in from the first page,her words flow with ease and are so mesmerising its like you are hypnotized by the story that is unfolding before your eyes.I was so gripped by this story that I would have happily read the whole book in one sitting but unfortunately my old eyes had other ideas.Very highly recommended by little old me.

I really enjoyed McAllister’s book Anything You Do Say and I was looking forward to her read.

No Further Questions sees a courtroom drama unfold as Becky is accused of murdering her sister Martha’s young baby Layla. The opening chapters hook you instantly with the dark storyline.

I guessed the ending quite early on but it still made for an enjoyable read - the story is teased out through different perspectives from the night in question and also the court case, and I was keen to see how the case would reach its conclusion.

3.5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Michael Joseph and Gillian McAllister for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.