A really intriguing premise which makes you realise the importance of interpreting and how much trust people must put into interpreters to ensure their words aren’t twisted!
Unfortunately this book didn’t quite hit the spot for me - I didn’t particularly connect with any of the characters to the point I didn’t really care what happened and I found the subplot to be quite far fetched. The ending was quite abrupt and a little disappointing.

The premise of this book really made me sit up and take notice. Revelle is an interpreter spending most of her working life translating at court or in police stations - victims, perpetrators and witnesses.

One day, fearing a murderer may go free, she deliberately mistranslates an alibi ensuring he appears guilty....but is he?.....and has someone found out what she has done?

Like I say the premise for this book really hit me and made me think about the power of words and how one one word can change the meaning of everything. In a world where most people are monoglots, the power held by someone who speaks multiple languages is so powerful.

There were some parts of the story where disbelief needs to be suspended but it was a very exciting tale of intrigue with some interesting facts about language thrown in (which appeals to language geeks like me).

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Vintage, Vintage Digital for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Read the teaser of this on NetGalley last year and was highly intrigued by set-up and writing so very much looking forward to reading the full. Didn't quite live up to those early expectations. However, a strong first effort with solid writing and characterisation. 3.5 stars.

I love the premise of this story - it is definitely an innovative storyline! I wasn't as engrossed as I thought I would be but it is a good read nonetheless.

A good read, although slightly different from what I normally pass the time with, but I simply fancied a change and did enjoy it.

This is my first book from this author.
I was very intrigued by the tittle and the synopsis. Being fluent in three languages and studied 2 more, I was totally sold on the concept of a court interpreter being tempted in modifying court scripts in order to ensure the outcome mirrors her convictions. Not that I would do it but I can understand the concept of it, as translating goes much further than simply using replacing words from one language to the other. When you are the only link that allows 2 parties to communicate, the responsibility upon you is incredible.
Having said that, I wish I could have warmed a bit more with the main character Revelle. I lost a bit of my patience with her at times and I like to like and respect my heroines.
The concept is original enough to pick anyone's interest as it raises interesting aspects of our courts and the justice system.

A very good book, I was pleasantly surprised by it as I hadn’t read any of the authors before, I’m looking forward to seeing what is next

I read a sampler of this book previously via Netgalley and then I read the ARC.

I loved the sampler and I was completely hooked but the book isn’t quite as sharp. The premise was exciting, an interpreter for police interviews, courts and the like finds herself in a position where she could change the evidence to match her belief.

This book has so much potential but is let down by quite a chaotic pace and a far fetched plot that got away from itself.

I received this book as an ARC for Netgalley in return for an honest review.

The Interpreter by Brooke Robinson.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC ebook for an unbiased review.

Revelle is an interpreter at court, who is also juggling fostering Elliot, who she wants to adopt.
During a particular trial, Revelle realises someone could go free, but all she has to do is change just a few words to change a possible verdict.

This book is a thriller, and while I guessed a lot ahead of reveals, it did that aspect well. Although it felt a little far fetched on a couple of occasions, overall it was compelling and although I don't consider it to be exceptionally good, was solid in the execution.

The biggest problem was I felt no sympathy towards Revelle and many of her actions. Because I felt no sympathy, it was at times hard to stay connected to the plot.

This one has me vying between 3 to 4 stars. I decided on 3, because I couldn't like it quite enough to give it 4 stars.
It's an okay thriller. Not necessarily something I would read again, but if you're looking for one that is a fairly quick read, with a good overall plotline then this is one to consider.

3/5 stars 🌟

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and author for allowing me to review this pre publication copy. The story is certainly from an interesting perspective one that I have not come across before - a court interpreter, yes I have used them during my nursing career but never thought about their use in a court trial, so I began to read with interest, The book staring Revelle the interpreter starts very well, very quickly you find her life stressed juggling court sessions with looking after her fostered child who she intends on adopting. For me its and ok read somewhat frustrating at times and became annoyed at Revelle and her choices, as a character I could not warm to her and frustrated and those choices. interesting concept that made me think of justice, juries and influence.

A smart thriller that kept me guessing right till the end. If you need to like the main character of a book this might not be the book for you.

Having read many thrillers over the years, the premise of this book really grabbed my attention.
Revelle is an interpreter and is in the process of adopting a six year old little boy. After years of staying impartial whilst translating, she realises that by changing the meaning of a few crucial words, she can change the outcome of a court case to ensure the guilty are convicted. But what if she’s got it wrong???
The subplot (written in italics) was slightly far fetched and I guessed the connection quite early on. But it was still an enjoyable read from this debut author.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This started off fantastic as I always love an unreliable narrator, and the concept seemed really dynamic with Revelle's small changes to her translations causing so much chaos. However I found the itacilised parts of the book a bit over-dramatic and at times it felt very clichéd, and I often found myself skipping over these as I felt Revelle receiving the texts and photos was creepy enough.

An impressive debut novel by Brooke Robinson!
When Revelle, a court interpreter, notices that a guilty man might go free, she realises she has the power to change the verdict. But someone knows what she’s done and they aren’t going to let it go.
A cleverly written thriller with an interesting insight into the role of an interpreter. Each chapter left me wanting more. I can’t wait to read more books from this author in the future.

First of all, I want to say that this is a fantastic concept for a thriller and not one which I have read before, so kudos for that.

I did find parts of the story fascinating, I especially enjoyed the subplot with the homeless men.

I think the main reason I didn't love this is that whilst I think we were supposed to root for Revelle, I just couldn't! She had absolutely no right to misinterpret her clients' words and I couldn't even get behind her motivations for doing so. I also thought the way the antagonist found out about her mistake was a massive stretch.

The book was enjoyable, but it didn't blow me away so I would rate it a middle of the road 3 stars.

I absolutely loved the premise of this ot was so unique and original and had so much potential to be a really amazing book. I didn't hate it but I maybe just wanted a bit more?

The pace is a bit slow whilst we get to know the main character and her situation and then really stafnge things start happening. The actual "interpreting" side isn't compromised until quite far on im the book by which point I was quite invested.

There were some little subplots that were also quite interesting as standalones but I just didn't feel they connected with the storyline of compromising the translations. And some of the twists, the nut allergy for example..... if anyone has a nut allergy then yeah, they always check before accepting food or drink because their desire to live is usually pretty strong.

Overall, there wasn't anything wrong with it, I just wish it had ramped up the tension a bit more and gone a bit further into manipulating the translations

Really clever premise, having worked in the legal system I could see how this could even happen in real life. However the book simply fails to deliver which is such a shame.

I was so excited about the uniqueness of this original slot but unfortunately it failed to deliver. It simply failed to keep me interested. The characters were not too great either.

This was a very decent thriller. Easy and quick to read, a page turner, unlikeable characters and an intriguing plot. The pacing was good and the writing captivating. I was entertained and this is pretty much all I want from a thriller other than plots that aren’t tired and haven’t been done before
A good read!

This is a fantastic concept for a book - an interpreter who uses their unique position to influence the results of police interviews and trials by mistranslating words and phrases. A genius concept, and it starts out well - the interpreter’s internal battle of having to translate what she deems as ‘lies’ for defendants accused of terrible crimes is very well done. That said, I felt that the book didn’t quite deliver on the promise of the concept - I struggled to connect with any of the characters or understand many of their motives, and I felt that the pacing was a little inconsistent, with some sections feeling very slow and others escalating too rapidly. All in all a decent read, particularly when it leans into the uniqueness of its killer hook.