Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of justice, morality, and the human cost of navigating a flawed legal system. Originally written as a one-woman play, the book adaptation retains its raw emotional impact while offering readers a deeper dive into the story’s themes and protagonist.

At its heart is Tessa Ensler, a brilliant defense barrister who has built her career on mastering the rules of law. However, when her life takes a devastating turn, Tessa finds herself on the other side of the courtroom, challenging everything she once believed about fairness and truth. Miller’s writing is sharp and unrelenting, immersing readers in Tessa’s journey with unflinching honesty and grace.

What sets Prima Facie apart is its nuanced portrayal of the legal world and its emotional resonance. Tessa’s transformation from a confident, formidable advocate to a vulnerable and deeply human character is both heart-wrenching and empowering. Miller deftly balances intricate legal discussions with intimate, emotional storytelling, making it accessible and impactful for a wide audience.

This is a story that lingers, challenging readers to examine their own beliefs about justice and the societal structures that shape it. Fans of courtroom dramas and deeply character-driven narratives will find Prima Facie an unforgettable read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Brilliant book. Disturbing in parts but incredibly thought provoking.

Within this story we can see how our justice system is very much geared towards the man in a crime of sexual assault.

Our main character Tessa Ensler is a brilliant barrister from a working class background who now has a brilliant career in criminal defence and a glittering future ahead of her through achieved thought determination and hard work. There’s nothing she loves more than the thrill of getting her clients acquitted. Following a drunken evening and encounter with a colleague she finds herself a the victim of sexual assault. As we see how she is treated as the victim and her version or events are questioned she not only has to push for her own justice but we see her question her pervious actions as a defence lawyer having previously defended the aggressor.

Having read the book I have now seen the stage show both of which will stay will me for a long time.

A big thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for a free copy of this in exchange for a honest review.

"Prima Facie" by Suzy Miller is a compelling exploration of the complexities of justice, morality, and personal conviction. The narrative follows a young lawyer as she navigates the often murky waters of the legal system, confronting ethical dilemmas that challenge her beliefs and values.

Miller's writing is sharp and incisive, effectively capturing the tension and drama of courtroom proceedings while also delving into the emotional toll on those involved. The protagonist is well-developed, grappling with her own experiences and biases as she fights for justice in a system that is not always fair.

The book raises thought-provoking questions about truth, power, and the impact of trauma, making it not just a legal thriller but also a poignant commentary on societal issues. Miller masterfully blends suspense with character-driven storytelling, keeping readers engaged while inviting them to consider deeper moral implications.

Overall, "Prima Facie" is a thought-provoking and gripping read that challenges the reader's perceptions of right and wrong. Suzy Miller has crafted a narrative that is both entertaining and deeply resonant, making it a must-read for fans of legal dramas and contemporary fiction alike.

In my opinion, one of the most brilliant books to be published in 2024.

Unfortunately, due to illness I was not able to post a review in time for the book’s publication.

Tessa Ensler is a brilliant young barrister who has fought her way up from living in a council estate first to Cambridge and now as a budding new member of a firm of barristers. She loves fighting justice for her clients and it appears that she’s set for greater things after her probation with the firm. Then a date with one of the young members of the chamber ends in a shattering incident that makes her question everything she’s achieved.

A book I would love to read again – or get the audible version to listen to.

I was aware of the play of the same title by this author but have not seen it because of this. I did not know what was going to happen in the novel I was very glad of this because part of the enjoyment of reading the novel is seeing how it develops
The story tells of a young female barrister trying to make her way in the cutthroat world of British law. She is involved in the defence of a number of serious crimes and criminals and is making a name for herself with her ability to stand up and speak for these people in court. Without giving away too many spoilers the story looks at what happens when she finds herself on the other side of the bench as a witness in a rape trial

Clearly the novel deals with some potentially tricky triggering subjects but the author manages to do this with sensitivity and poise and I felt managed to produce a well written thoughtful novel which is extremely well crafted.
The author has a beautifully flowing clear writing style making the novel an enjoyable read
I read a copy of the novel on NetGalley UK return for an honest review book was published in January 2024 Henry Holt and Co
This review will appear on Goodreads, NetGalley UK and my book blog bionicSarahSbooks.wordpress.com. It will also appear on Amazon UK.

Wow, I haven’t read a book that was this powerful in a long time! I loved everything about this book and devoured it. The book is perfectly paced and written, showing great insight into the legal world and also from a highly qualified female point of view.
Whilst the case involving herself is raw and upsetting, the whole book deals with it brilliantly and her speech at the end of the trail is absolutely fantastic!! Looking forward to seeing the stage version with Jodie Comer now!

I have seen the play so was so intrigued to read this one. This is a masterful exploration of power dynamics, victim-blaming, and the devastating impact of trauma. Through Tessa's monologue, we witness her transformation from a confident professional to a vulnerable victim navigating a system that often seems stacked against her. The play's strength lies in its ability to evoke empathy and understanding for survivors, while also highlighting the systemic issues that contribute to their experiences. Highly recommend.

A fantastically fearless book, absolutely stunning. I haven't seen the play yet, but definitely plan to change that. Tessa is such s strong character with a story full of hope for changes that need to come.

Prima Facie is like nothing I have read before. It’s a brilliantly written, searingly detailed story of our legal system, and how it continues to fail women, told through the eyes of Tessa, a defence lawyer who is thrown into the system she extolls when she is raped by a colleague. I found it compulsive and disturbing and enlightening in equal measure. This is an important book, an expose of the law, its message and themes all the more powerful for being told so well.

I was aware of this story from the publicity around Jodie Comer appearing in the original play but I didn’t know a lot about it. Certainly a lot of the content surprised me but I won’t be putting any spoilers here.

The story is written in first person and although there are areas where the legalese or narrative gets a bit slow or clumsy, overall this gives us an immediacy and makes the character of Tessa feel ‘real’. The intimacy gives a level of angst and almost despair which has you racing through the story to find out what happens.

Tessa is a barrister from a working class background and she is sexually assaulted by a colleague in Chambers. The male/female power split is very well developed and the reader certainly wants to see justice done but that doesn’t mean Tessa is perfect. Far from it, but she has a strong ethic and wants to see a fair outcome. I’m not sure how this would work as a film, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

Oh, I was SO excited to read this after not being able to go and see the play: thank you, Suzie Miller. While I ultimately rated this 4 stars, the latter part of the novel was much better; I’d say I was gripped from around a third way through.

After the slow(ish) start, I couldn’t stop reading. It was, as expected, hard hitting - the facts and statistics including are not only painful to stomach but anger-inciting, so much so that after finishing this I struggled to take my mind off the subject. But that’s a good thing, right? And the whole point of both this novel and the play.

I’m not an ending lover - ever - but this one was very well done. Complex, real but subtle too; yes, I was left enraged, but there were hints of optimism, of positive change, of awareness that things are changing, albeit incredibly too slowly.

Tessa’s speech was outstanding and easily the best part; that alone will ensure I look out for Miller’s other work.

Be just finished this and can see it’s been adapted to the screen. I will watch with interest as I can see it will make a fabulous tv series. I don’t usually like adaptations but I can really see the lead actress in this role. The main character is a fighter. She’s got to the top of her career and is sitting pretty. Until she isn’t. This shows a brutal side to the criminal justice system and the way women are treated. 5/5.

An interesting story about a successful female barrister, Tessa Ensler, who accuses a colleague of rape. The author makes a point of contrasting the lives of and opportunities available to those born into privilege and those not so fortunate.There are descriptions of life in legal chambers and the courtrooms which seem to be authentic. Tessa’s early life and upbringing is compared to that of the more privileged colleagues she works with all of which makes it a difficult decision to follow through with the allegation, but her innate sense of justice forces her to do just that. A moral tale of class and sex differences which can affect all of us.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Having seen the NT Live version of the play, I knew what I was letting myself in for with this novel. And it didn't disappoint. While I did feel the first 100 pages was a little repetitive at times with the legal explanations, I can see that this would probably help people who hadn't seen the play, and I really liked the extended view into Tessa's personal life that the novel was able to give. It didn't lose any of the punch of the play, though I will admit to hearing Jodie Comer's voice in my head throughout! This should be required reading for everyone, particularly schools and legal professionals.

Prima Facie is sharp dynamic storytelling, based on the hugely successful one-woman play that swept the theatre world last year. Suzie Miller has written such a powerful story told in a very realistic and honest way. It doesnt shy away from its subject matter in any way. A must-read.

Not quite what I was expecting but actually exceeded my expectations! Told very matter-of-factly but with good humour and complete honesty. A very brave book which is just the right side of storytelling to gain total empathy from the reader.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A very powerful and impactful story, I do think it worked better as the play compared to in writing but that’s probably because of Jodie’s incredible performance, this is must read

I read the play and was intrigued to see how the novel would compare to it. It’s a very important novel as it shows how the justice system fails women and I like how Miller explored themes of class and power. A thought provoking read.

An interesting insight into the legal system and criminal defence in the UK. There’s commentary about class, both with respect to who gets to study law but also who is more likely to be let down by the justice system. The book's message about how the legal system is stacked against sexual assault victims is perhaps not particularly groundbreaking, but on balance a compelling read.

Wow what a book. Firstly check trigger warnings. I had heard about the play so was excited to be able to read a copy of the book. A powerful story told beautifully. This is more then a story its about the 1 in 3 women who will experience abuse its about how the law treats them. Its about a defence barrister who begins to question everything she had believed in. Its about power and responsibility but ultimalty about courage. This book will stay with me for a very long time.