An absolutely fascinating thriller about two sisters who are torn apart by the court system when one is charged with murdering the other sister's baby.
It's quite a distressing storyline at times, but has been handled in a very interesting way - the court case slowly reveals the events leading up to and including the incident. It's almost like being a juror, but with a real insight into what the mother is feeling. It's not as cut and dried as you'd expect.

An appalling murder or tragic accident? This is the question posed and maintained throughout this book. Making the story even more complicated is the close sibling relationship of the accused and the main character for the prosecution. McAllister builds upon their relationship and emotions to ensure the reader suffers the same dilemmas.
Whilst acknowledging that trials are long, drawn-out, complicated affairs, and that McAllister intended for us to share the see-saw of doubts and fears, I found this a little tedious. Although, having said that, I was determined to discover the final finding of the court case.
I had a niggling suspicion regarding the outcome but, just as those involved had done so, I had overlooked the vital clue that would have made this possible - well done, McAllister! The conclusion provided a satisfactory explanation and, in a peculiar way, some sort of happy ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

A fantastic book written in a great style that will keep you hooked to the very end. A very emotive subject but a must read book. Highly recommended

An emotional subject. and gripping from the very start.. It took right to the end of the story to get all of the questions answered. Highly recommended

Compelling, emotional and very addictive. No spoilers but don’t five up on this. I nearly did but suddenly was drawn in. My advice? Always read 50 pages before withdrawing and this was good advice regarding this book.
4/5 on goodreads

An emotional courtroom drama of a novel, I am seriously impressed with the quality of this author's work once again. It puts family members on opposite sides of the court, with friends and others close to the sisters having to take the stand to give evidence in a heart wrenchingly tragic tale of the suspicious death of 8 week old Layla.
The story is very clearly well researched, although I found the timescale a bit rushed for a real trial to take place - which the author acknowledges in her notes at the end. I have to admit I did work out what had happened on 'the night of' but this did not spoil the book. Although the main scenes of the book are set in the courtroom the emphasis is more on the emotions the sisters and their families go through in coming to terms with the loss of Layla and the conflict they feel as they try to fathom just what happened and whether foul play could be involved. Martha and Becky's parents are well and truly stuck on the fence between them whilst trying to cope with their own sense of loss.
A sensitively written book which I completely believed in. Gillian McAllister goes from strength to strength with her writing and I will be watching with bated breath for her next work.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story centres around a court case. Becky has been charged with the murder of her 8 week old niece, who she was babysitting when she was found dead. Through the evidence given, the story is built up, told from the point of view of the witnesses, and especially the baby's mother, Becky's sister Martha. It is really well written, and keeps you guessing right until the end. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

Wow, this was one of those books that stays with you for weeks after you have finished it - a gripping drama involving a really sad subject matter. Set mainly in the court room, we follow Becky's trial after her sister's baby died in her care. This is just an emotional read and you will find yourself believing she is guilty then non-guilty and guilty again as you follow her case.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - another brilliant read from Gillian McAllister - cant wait for the next one! Many thanks to netgalley for an arc of this book in return for an honest review.

With thanks to Netgalley and Penguin for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

As well as psychological thrillers I enjoy courtroom dramas, especially when they have a medical theme. When I saw the synopsis for No Further Questions I knew I would be picking it up on the release date.

No Further Questions was about the death of 8 week old Leyla. Her mother Martha was on maternity leave after setting up her own charity in Kos. Martha`s younger sister Becky had divorced from her husband Marc and was drinking heavily. Whilst on leave Martha started to miss work and asked Becky to be a part time nanny for Leyla.

Becki had a nine year old son called Xander who had slept well as a baby. However Leyla had reflux problems and cried constantly and Becky found it difficult to cope.

When Martha had to go to Kos for two nights she asked Becky to look after the baby for one night. The next night Martha`s husband Scott would return from his course and look after Leyla. However Scott decided to stay another two nights leaving Becki with a crying baby unable to cope.

When Martha was away Leyla cried constantly and would not be comforted. Tired Martha went to bed and the next morning she found Leyla had passed away.

After the post mortem Becki was charged with murder. The rest of the book is about the court case and the witnesses for the prosecution and defence.

I found the case riveting, and it was interesting reading how a particular event can be twisted to suit a particular narrative. How an eyewitness interpretation of an event can be completely wrong.

As well as the court case the reader was given flashbacks of the days leading up to when Leyla died.

I didnt particularly like Martha and thought she was selfish to leave her sick baby to go on a business trip for two nights. By contrast I felt sorry for Becky and Marc who were soul mates, but their marriage disintegrated due to infertility issues.

I enjoyed the 11th hour confession during the trial but I had already guessed the culprit. Even though I had suspected I still gasped with shock.

I thoroughly enjoyed this gripping read. I look forward to Gillian`s next book.

Martha and Scott seem to have it all - a beautiful house by the sea, good careers including a new successful charity helping children in Kos and a new baby, Layla. Becky, Martha's sister is the opposite - a divorced mother of Xander, dropped out of design school and working as a set designer for TV companies which she hates. When Martha offers Becky the role of nanny to Layla, she jumps at the chance to leave her job and try to improve her life. But Layla was a difficult baby who cried constantly day and night and Becky started to struggle to cope but couldn't admit her feelings to Martha.
When Layla is found dead in her moses basket at just eight weeks old - all fingers point to Becky and the evidence is strong against her.
The story follows the court case from Martha and Becky's perspective and the testimony of each witness. The twist at the end is unexpected but a great story line of a family torn apart by grief and confusion on who to believe.
I love Gillian McAllister books and this certainly does not disappoint. Thank you NG for the chance to read this early copy.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an unbiased review of this book.
A difficult subject, but very well handled by the author.
I read this book on holiday over the course of two days spent on the beach.
First read by this author but it has left me wanting more.
Five star publication

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this amazing book

a nightmare scenario played out in a court room drama...

baby layla is found dead, she is being looked after by her auntie while mom is away for two days and dad is away at a conference....

how did the baby end up dying...through the court room drama played out the answers come thick and fast...shockingly so

could not put the book down...this was my first book by this author and it wont be my last...you could see this scenario happening in real life...an unforgettable book

This story takes you in as if you are right there in the court room, HAD to read just another page and another until i knew what the outcome was and how the baby died. Grips you from the first page each chapter giving their views from the different characters angles. I did not see this ending coming, it really grabs you from the first page it covers everything love , loss happiness and family, highly recommend this as a must read, brilliantly narrated so many different voices. Definitely a highly recommended read. 10/10

Unbelievably gripping from the start! This is why I love Gillian McAllister! Her writing and stories are just incredible! Enjoyed reading this so much!!

This is a court room drama where two sisters, Martha and Becky, are on opposite sides. Martha is a successful working wife and mother who is just setting up a charity to help refugees in Kos. Becky is still finding her way in the world and has had a series of short lived jobs that she doesn’t like so hasn’t settled at any. Martha is finding childcare challenging for her 8 week old baby so asks Becky to be her Nanny. The baby dies while in Becky’s care and the law suit starts.

I did find the story gripping in that I wanted to know the end but getting there was a little tedious at times. We hear alternately from Martha and Becky during the trial with chapters devoted to witnesses for the defence and prosecution. The testimony of the witnesses got boring, as did the way of introducing them in the same way at the end of the preceding chapter. I felt like I was on a treadmill and just wanted to get the end result without the journey at times.

The writing is good in that you can feel Martha’s pain as she grieves her daughter and desperately wants to believe that her sister is innocent but isn’t quite sure that she is. I would have liked to hear more about the parents and brother of Martha and Becky but they were very much in the background in the narrative.

I liked the ending – it caught me by surprise.

With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin UK - Michael Joseph for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a wonderful book by an author new to me - I shall definitely be reading her other books. It tells the story of a dreadful situation in a loving family and how two sisters find themselves in a courtroom - on opposing sides.
The book was both moving and gripping, and the courtroom scenes were brilliantly written. Actually, the whole book was brilliantly written
and I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

From the outset this was a great premise pulling you into the midst of a family trauma.
Wrongfully accused or baby killer? Full of twists and turns and a great courtroom drama

This first time I've read this author and I've enjoyed from beginging to end, loves the twists and turns of the book. I really got in the character Martha and how she was feeling.

Enjoyed this fast paced, tense psychological thriller. Thanks to publisher and Netgalley for the advanced reading copy.

No Further Questions is one of those books that draws you in from the beginning. Martha and Becky are sisters, yet Becky is accused of killing Martha’s child. They say she did it but Martha doesn’t know who to believe.

This book is brilliantly written. Each chapter is written from a different characters perspective and goes between present day and the past. It’s a thriller that will tantalise and tease you with each chapter. It sucks you in and keeps you with baited breath to the very end.

A fantastic 5 star read. Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin UK Michael Joseph and the author for the chance to review.