Wow! This book turned out to be so much more than just a good courtroom drama. It's about love, trust, families, relationships, parenthood and some other delicate and emotional subjects that the author handled with sensitivity. I liked the way the story was told by multiple narrators, each having their own background story. This made all the characters very real, even though it did make the narrative repetitive in places.
I must admit that I was a little disappointed by the ending, which I could see coming whilst hoping I was wrong, as I personally would've preferred it to be less definitive. But, I guess, most readers like to have all the questions answered in the end.
By no means these little niggles spoilt my enjoyment of the book, which I devoured as quickly as I could. I also really liked Gillian McAlllister's previous book and now becoming quite a fan of hers; can't wait to read the next one -The Evidence Against You.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Books for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this courtroom drama, which is a little different from the crime / detective genre I usually read.
The case is over the death of an infant and the story focuses on the relationship between two sisters and their involvement.
This is the second Gillian mcallister book I’ve read and I’ll definitely be reading more. I liked the flashbacks and writing style and have already recommended this book several times. It had a big impact.

The moment I received an email from NetGalley saying that a new book from Gillian McAllister was up for request, I hit that request button as quick as I could. I thoroughly enjoyed her debut book, "Everything but the Truth", it was such a fantastic thriller full of atmosphere and her twisty second book "Anything You Do Say". So while I had a week to waste before work, I cleared away an afternoon, made a large cup of tea and started reading "No Further Questions" full of anticipation.

Martha's eight week old baby dies. Initially it appears to be a tragic cot death, but a few weeks later her sister Becky, who is also her best friend, is charged with her murder. She denies the charges against her, but the prosecution says otherwise.
The opening section set in a courtroom opens the intrigue beautifully and then bounces effortlessly between September - eleven months earlier and the present day where we get to hear lots of witness statements, which muddy the waters further. The narrative is predominantly told from the point of view of Martha and Becky, but there's also the viewpoint of courtroom officials and witness statements from neighbours, teachers, health workers and acquaintances.

This is such a brilliantly told story. Gillian McAllister has a natural talent at creating characters who initially seem nice and decent, but then she manages to make doubt and confusion surround them in a cloud. The courtroom situation directs a spotlight towards usually regular day to day events, where unless attention was drawn to them, they would probably have gone unnoticed and analyzed. That's what makes her such a great author - the ability to create characters we aren't sure about. She can take normal little things and suddenly we view them suspiciously.

One minute I was thinking Becky was innocent, then guilty, or I was side eyeing other characters with suspicion. Which is what makes this book keep you reading and reading. It should come with an endless cup of tea or coffee: you will find you don't want to have to put it down to go into the kitchen, boil the kettle and wait to read more.

I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this to anyone who loves addictive twisty thrillers chock full of suspense and shocks.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK - Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest and unbiased review.

A fascinating court room drama where teo sisters are facing the death and possible murder of a baby. Unfortunately one sister is the accused; the other the mother and accuser. It makes for some uncomfortable moments and emotions as well as some tender moments. We are privy to the witnesses opinions and statements in court but also we flick back and forth between the two sister’s and their private recollections. It certainly keeps you guessing! Yes there are some twists and turns so when the pace slows a bit these nudge you on. A great holiday read.

Once again the author delivers a gripping story that you just can't put down . Brilliant characters and a fantastic plot

This was a really interesting, well-written book. I pretty much guessed the ending, but couldn't work out how it would get there, and was slightly disappointed at the sleight of hand which was meant to be a plot twister. But, saying that, it is definitely worth a read.

This is a sad tale in many ways, dealing with the death of a baby and the aftermath that follows.

As usual, no plot summary from me - there are plenty of others available on Goodreads etc if that's what you're looking for!

I didn't actually find myself warming to or liking any of the characters (apart from poor little Layla); however, as it's at heart a courtroom drama, that wasn't strictly necessary. The lifestyles, relationships and interplay between the characters are believable. I found that I disapproved of Martha's attitude to her baby - I'd never put my work ahead of my child in my priorities list, but that's just my opinion - but I certainly felt for her in the aftermath.

Realistically, no family would ever be able to survive what happens in this book - people would inevitably find themselves on one side or the other - but it's all part of the plot.

Well-written, with good plotting and more than a few twists - I did guess the ending, but I read a lot of books in this genre.

My thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC in return for my honest review.

This is an impressive psychological thriller in which Gillian's experience as a lawyer shines through. You are presented with the court case with two sisters on opposing sides of a murder trial and taken through the case as it unfolds. As you progress through, you are given glimpses into the thoughts of the two sisters and the complexity of their relationship. It is clear that 'something' is missing from the evidence and the reader is kept guessing to the end.

You can't help but wonder what you would have done in either of the sisters' shoes and the effect of the case on the wider family becomes apparent. I particularly liked the anguish of their parents as they tried to get through the trial with loyalties to both of their daughters. Always present in the novel is the baby Layla who died. I found the story to be poignant and affecting as it stripped away at what it is to be a parent.

In short: Superb.
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book

Becky is on trial for the murder of Martha’s baby daughter Layla. All the evidence points towards Becky’s guilt, however Martha is desperate to believe, and even prove, she is innocent. After all, how could her own sister kill her beloved child? Full of twists, turns and compelling moral dilemmas, No Further Questions is another fabulous thriller from Gillian McAllister – gripping, original and moving.

Becky is on trial for causing the death of her sister’s baby. Martha, her sister, is devastated by her loss but also certain of her sister’s innocence.
Gillian McAllister’s third crime novel is a taut courtroom drama. The evidence is presented to the reader as it would a jury, with each witness testifying in their own voice, followed by examination and cross examination. Courtroom action is interspersed with a re-run of events leading up to the night in question, from the perspective of the main characters.
As the trial proceeds and the tension builds, the need to know becomes increasingly urgent.
No Further Questions is more than an exposition of the author’s considerable legal knowledge combined with extensive research on sudden infant death. It is a consideration of both the conflict for women needing to juggle responsibility for family with career and the unconditional love between sisters.
This is a hugely enjoyable read, which is what we have come to expect from this writer.
With thanks to Netgalley and Penguin UK Michael Joseph

Another great red from Gillian McAllister which I read in a couple of sittings. Quite an emotional read as it involves the death of the baby of one sister and the trial of the other sister for murder. I was waiting for the twist at the end but when it came it took me by surprise.

Really enjoyed this book, it has everything, friends, family, relationships, intrigue, a very emotional read. I read it very quickly as I wanted to find out what happened, I had actually guessed but still enjoyed the ending.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve read McAllister’s (she’s like the British Jodi Picoult for me) previous novels and enjoyed them tremendously, so was very excited to read No Further Questions. This is a courtroom drama following Martha, whose baby girl died, and her sister Becky, accused as the killer. This alternates chapters, going back and forth in time, and includes multiple POV from each witness on the stand. This is a well-written, nuanced story with relatable characters, who I feel like could easily be people I know. My only problem was that this is a slow-burner, and there is little suspense, and I found myself getting impatient (this could’ve been a shorter read. It was too long).
Overall this is a character-driven, harrowing story about a family and their grief over a traumatic tragedy. Go in with tissues.

Martha and Becky are sisters and best friends. Becky is Baby Layla's nanny and is looking after her on the night she sadly dies. Was it murder or a tragic accident? No Further Questions is based around the trial. Told mainly through Martha's perspective during the trial, we also hear from Becky's perspective leading up to the tragic night. I loved the style of this story. As we're introduced to each witness, the following chapter gives us their point of view before it gets into the cross examination. A very emotional subject and a sad read but I couldn't put it down.

I have two other Gillian McAllister books in my TBR pile and now I can't wait to read them.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Another fantastic literary delight from Ms McAllister. With each character- including the judge - having their own narrative, the story was richly and intricately woven. An emotional and thought provoking tale that will keep you guessing.

A gripping story with a very serious subject. However the book was an enjoyable read mainly focusing on the relationship between the characters and how the drama affected each person and their relationship with the others. The story was very well told and the ending was a surprise but told in such a way as to be entirely believable. Well worth reading

I was a little torn when I began this book as I hadn't realised the child that had been killed was a baby. I wasn't sure I wanted to read it - but I have read her two previous books and really wanted to see what this book was like.
Most of the book is a court room scene and I'm not sure if that is why it took me a while to get into it. It also seemed to be an open and shut case and I found it hard to get interested for the first few chapters. Mainly because it was such an emotive read. Two sisters on opposing sides and a dead baby.
As the witnesses were introduced the author also gave a little back story as to how they had seen the evidence from their point of view. This really was great observational writing and gave life to each of the characters, even though some of them only had a few pages in the book.
Slowly as more and more of the back story was revealed I began to think I knew what had happened, or did I? This was really when the book hooked me in and I had to know, but would we ever know - was the dilemma in my head. Keen to get to the end I took the book onto public transport and that was a bit of a mistake. I managed to hold it together, but some of the writing really got to me and I was holding back a few tears.
It's a book that in places was not an easy read. That doesn't detract from the author's talent in conveying so many emotions within the pages, whilst taking the reader into a court room they would rather not be in.
I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars and my thanks go to Netgalley for an advance copy of the book.

The latest instalment in these courtroom dramas and one of my favourites to date. Gillian McAllister’s writing keeps you glued and even though I had an inkling of how it might turn out, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
My thanks to Netgalley for this copy.

Oh my, I raced through this one. I was totally gripped . I am proud to say that I worked out the explanation early on but just through a gut feeling. Still, I wasn’t disappointed as it wasn’t an obvious outcome. Having said that, just so I don’t sound too unemotional, this is an intensely moving book covering a difficult topic - in fact a number of difficult topics. I think Gillian might be one of my new favourite authors.

Excellent story. Wonderful characters and plot line. I really enjoyed it. I would recommend this book.