When Hannah Holby, the darling of morning TV, dies on screen in front of millions of viewers, the nation is devastated. More devastated still when it becomes clear that her death was not an accident. The evidence points to one celebrity chef, Sebastian Brooks. But junior barrister, Adam Green, is about to discover that the case is not as open-and-shut as it first seemed. And although Hannah's angelic persona would suggest otherwise, she was not short of enemies in the glittery TV world. Can Adam uncover the truth.

Junior barrister Adam Green is the central protagonist. I love learning about what it's like working on the defence of a complex case. The best parts of the book are when Adam is on the phone to his mother. Adam is working on two different cases, the death of a da TV darling, and the case of a man with learning difficulties. This is a fast-paced read that drew me quickly in and kept me engaged until the end. The characters are well-developed, and Adam is very a likeable character. He's gaining confidence and finding his way through the justice system. Hopefully there will be more books to come in this series.

Published 20th June 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #RandomHouseUK #Cornerstone and the author #RobRinder for my ARC of #TheSuspect in exchange for an honest review.

Extremely entertaining book with characters who feel very familiar to day time tv viewers. Can't wait for the author's next book@

A most interesting and informative read following the lives of three young person’s at the start of their careers in the justice system, two as junior barrister and one serving pupillage. The story centres on Adam’s KC having a major case involving a murder. How they survive the heavy workload with multiple cases where any over sight unless mitigated intime can lead to instant dismissal is a high stress burden. The murder case is in a TV studio and the gathering of information and the interviewing of witnesses provides an insight to the work and culture of the work behind the scenes far difference from what is seen on screen where those viewed work to present an image aimed to engage with the viewers as opposed to film stars who work to portray a fictitious character. A most engaging story that leaves the reader wanting more.

I do like a good legal thriller and this was a good legal thriller. We are back with junior barrister Adam Green and this time he has to defend a case of a celebrity TV chef who murders a colleague live on air. Or does he. I like that Adam pokes and pokes to find the actual truth.

Thoroughly enjoyed this second book by Rob Rinder. .Junior barrister Adam Green is involved in a murder trial, a murder which was seen by millions of TV viewers. Plus the case of a young man pleading guilty to something he hasn't done. Both cases take up a lot of his time. The phone calls from his Mum are hilarious. Looking forward to book 3

I really enjoyed Rob Rinder's first book 'The Trial' so I was very pleased to have the chance to read an early copy of 'The Suspect'.
The Suspect continued building on all of the successful elements of the author's first book. When i read 'The Trial' I was instantly captivated by the strong characters that he'd created, all of the insights into life in legal chambers and the relentless pressure of life as a new barrister in a high-profile role. All of this has come back in book two but with the added benefit of some familiar characters where you know a little about their personal stories, their private lives, what drives them in their careers and so on. It was great to see Adam and Georgia in the next stages of their growing careers, both with much more responsibility and power than a year ago, but still feeling hugely out of their depth and struggling to balance everything that is thrown at them.

In 'The Suspect', Hannah Holby, a hugely loved daytime TV star dies live on TV in front of millions of regular viewers. It becomes apparent that despite Hannah's well-documented food allergies, she has eaten something in the cooking section of the show that has caused an anaphylactic shock. TV chef Sebastian Brooks is arrested for causing her death but what reasons might he have for killing one of the country's most beloved celebrities? Adam is on the defence team - but is there anything that the defence can muster to save their client.

Set alongside this is the much grittier case of 17 year old Alexei who has been found with a stash of lethal weapons in his room. He says that they're his, but his brother is a known member of a street gang and they are much more likely to belong to him not Alexei. Can Adam and his fellow legal team convince Alexei to tell the truth before he admits to something that is going to ruin his life for ever.

The juxtaposition between these two cases was so well played; the high glamour and intense media interest on Sebastian's case set against the lack of attention to Alexei's situation was highlighted fantastically.

Well worth a read- and I am looking forward to book number 3!

Having read and enjoyed Rob Rinder's first book I looked forward to this and to seeing how the main character, Adam Green, was moving up in his legal career. This took me longer to get into than book one and I struggled with the large number of characters. Some I remembered from the last book but there were lots of new ones in this that I found confusing. This is probably just me as I don't have the best memory for names in any circumstances! This was a well written story, however, and a good and addictive plot. I did love the phone call chapters between Adam and his mum whose witty dialogue had me laughing out load so much that my husband asked me what was so funny. I read some of it to him and that elicited a chuckle or two. I hope that Rob Rinder will continue to include the phone chats with Adam and his mother in future books as they are a welcome bit of light relief to counteract some of the more serious parts of the storyline. I was surprised by the reveal at the end but it finished well albeit quite abruptly I thought. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Absolutely loved this second book from highly intelligent and perceptive Rob Rinder. Gripped from beginning to end! Can be read as a series but just as good as a stand alone book.
Adam Green is a junior barrister, and has been asked to assist in a defence that is already not an obvious clear cut done case, after a famous day time tv presenter Jessica is seemingly murdered live on her morning show by regular celebrity chef Sebastian.
Whilst Adam is involved in various other very different cases and supporting his colleagues at the chambers at Stag Court which make for a hectic schedule for him.
Great characters and depiction of the process. Adam’s personal life brings some hilarious light relief to the seriousness of court and prison especially his wonderful chats with his mum!!
This is a fun easy read, intelligent and interesting!
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin books for the early read! Loved it!

A 2nd book for Judge Rinder and he has spoken about his ‘2nd book difficulties’ in interviews, he didn’t need to worry as was a good follow up

It is a stand alone although does feature the same main characters and does mention the previous books story in parts

The book is character rich and I did have to keep thinking who was who, why, with and how but I was interested enough in the story to not find this not too much of a bind throughout

The Court case story was polished….,descriptively as expected excellent and the book started with an eye wateringly realistically shocking murder that you were willing not to happen as it unfolded

The conversations between Adam and his Mum are legend 😊

Very well written and on the whole proves this author was not a ‘one off’ book success

Interesting to read about the world of TV production throughout

Look forward to Book 3 as much as I did Book 2

After really enjoying The Trial, I was really excited to dive back into the world of Adam Green and Stag Court. This follow up story was definitely worth the wait!

The story opens with a scene from Wake up Britain! Which in my head was This Morning… nation’s sweetheart Jessica Holby is interviewing someone live on air when suddenly she starts having trouble breathing… and millions of viewers see the celebrity die on live tv. The clear verdict? Chef Sebastian Brooks deliberately poisoned her with miso paste which was banned from the set due to Jessica’s severe soy allergy.

Back in court, Adam’s friend Rupert is on stress leave so he’s drafted in to be the baby junior on the case. Adam is suspicious from the start that Sebastian is holding something back. But what is it? And could it clear his name? He starts applying all his efforts to finding out and burning the candle at both ends as always.

Meanwhile, he’s asked to help on another case to encourage a young man who is taking the rap for his brother for a load of weapons found under his bed. If he doesn’t plead guilty, the brother’s gang has threatened to kill him. Adam finds himself torn between ‘doing the right thing’ and encouraging the boy to tell the truth, whilst fearing for his future if he does.

And in between the heavy scenes, and some amusing ones involving the celebrities and the tv set, we get some genuine light relief through Adam’s regular phone calls with his mum, who we never properly meet. Her classic mum-chats are hilarious and she’s such a great character! I do feel for Adam sometimes with the amount he’s having to juggle!

Another excellent story with lots of twists, turns and surprises! It’s great having that insight into life in the courts from an author we know has come from that world so you know that lots of it (although I’m sure not all!) is accurate and true to life. Very gripping! I’m already looking forward to the next one.

I LOVED IT!!

I had been eagerly awaiting this book as the last one was brilliant, and I'm so happy that it lived up to my expectations!

Right from the start the book is fast paced, you immediately jump into the heart of the story and I didn't want to put it down at all.

I love a courtroom/crime/legal thriller so Rob Rinder's books are perfect for this. His experiences add so much to the book, his knowledge of the intricacies of Chambers, and the inner workings of the business are excellently portrayed and it's fascinating to read about.

I was also really invested in the characters. The main character Adam is drawn excellently, and his Mum!! She was driving me mad let alone him! Ha ha!

A brilliant book and I hope that the series is kept alive.

Thank you to Netgalley and Randomhouse UK for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I was keen to read the second book from Rob Rinder, having enjoyed ‘The Trial’ his first novel. I enjoyed this one as much as the first.

Adam Green has passed his pupillage and has tenancy at Stag Court. After his friend and colleague is signed off sick Adam is assigned as baby Junior on another high profile case. This time popular tv chef, Sebastian Brooks, is being accused of murdering his co-star and ex-lover by feeding her a meal laced with miso paste which causes an anaphylactic shock live on tv. While Sebastian can’t offer an explanation to how the food was contaminated, Adam feels that there’s more to it than meets the eye.

A second case is also assigned to Adam by his mentor and his inspiration for joining the legal profession. Whilst under pressure with two important cases, alongside his usual workload, Adam must reconcile his feelings towards the morality of justice at the expense of the safety of the defendant.

Many difficult lessons are in store for Adam; how to prioritise his work when clients’ liberty are on the lines; that appearances aren’t always what they seem; and a dilemma of what happens when you say the ‘wrong’ thing to a client and how that can backfire.

I was pleased that Adam’s force-of-nature mother is back with regular phone calls, insistent on telling his bosses that they’re working him too hard and encouraging him to start a relationship with his colleagues while Adam declares that they’re not his type.

With thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Stag Court Chambers series is quickly becoming my favourite series - I don’t want to wait ages to read the next instalment!

Adam Green, now a fully-fledged junior barrister and a tenant at Stag Court, is drafted in as the junior on two major cases - one defending a tv chef charged with the murder of a breakfast television host, and the other defending a teenager charged with gun possession. Both cases present the twists and turns we have learned to love from Rob Rinder, and the character development throughout this second instalment in the series was excellent. Big kudos to Adam’s mum, who is quickly becoming my favourite character in the series!

With thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Rob Rinder has become one of my new favourite authors and to be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect when he started to write but he is brilliant. The story is excellent and well written and thought out that I just can’t fault it.

I am not usually one for a mystery or court drama type book but I really like Rob Rinder and when I heard him interviews on the "One Show' earlier this year talking about this book, I was intrigued to read it. I hadn't actually realised it was a follow on from his first book The Trial but I don't think it stopped my enjoyment of the book and I will probably go back at read it as I really enjoyed his writing style.

I found the book really easy to read and navigate and his experience and training in courtrooms and the justice system really adds a depth to the books. I found a subject I wouldn't normally be interested in really entertaining and interesting.

The book had me gripped from the first pages when the start of morning breakfast television is killed live on tv infant of millions of people after having an anaphylactic shock from an allergy. The celebrity chef id charged with her murder and as the trial begins, lots of secrets and skeletons come out of the cupboard.

I thought the character development of Adam Green the trainee barrister who is asked to help on the case was brilliant. And I will definitely look out for more books by Rob in the future. He seems like such a lovely, humble man and it shows in his writing style and characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for a change to read this amazing book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After being completely riveted by Rob Rinder’s first novel, the Trial, I was excited to read the follow up in the series. Sadly, it did not live up to my high expectations. The character of junior barrister Adam Green, who I was completely invested in after the first book, felt a bit flat and, like his mother, I was hoping to see something more interesting happening in his personal life. The main story line, the dramatic on-screen death of morning tv presenter and national treasure Jessica Holby after consuming an allergen laden dish by tv chef Sebastian Brooks and the subsequent criminal trial, held a lot of promise and showcases Rinder’s knowledge of both the courtroom and the tv studio. The plot, and the side plots of the other cases Adam Green was working on were fairly straight forward however and there was little that left the reader guessing. That said, Rinder is a fluent and accomplished writer and I still look forward to the next instalment in the series.

With thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

Jessica Holby, host of a popular morning TV show and much loved by the public, dies live on air following a cooking segment. Anaphylactic shock as a result of a serious food allergy is to blame and TV chef Sebastian Brooks is charged with her murder.

The Suspect by Rob Rinder is the sequel to the hugely successful The Trial and features the same characters. I was very impressed last year when I read The Trial as "celebrity" written novels don't always live up to expectations. With this sequel, Rob Rinder has created a gripping series, with believable characters, that has the potential to spawn a long and successful series, especially as I thought the second book was an improvement on the first.

Junior barrister Adam Green is the main character in both books. The story follows Adam as he supports a senior barrister defending the TV chef. By selecting this topic the author has hit a goldmine, the public infatuation with "celebrity" is boundless. Rob Rinder has created characters that have a passing resemblance to a number of real-life celebrities the media, and the public, seem to be obsessed with. It isn't difficult to figure out who some of the celebrities are supposed to be.

The glare of the media spotlight means that the barristers know it is going to be extremely difficult for a fair trial to take place. The situation isn't helped by the fact that Sebastian Brooks offers no defense other than "I didn't do it". Colleagues and friends of both the victim and the accused are tight-lipped and refuse to be witnesses at the trial. This immediately makes you wonder what secrets are being hidden. A further complication is that the prosecuting barrister is from the same chambers and Adam's friend, Georgina, is working under them, putting them on opposing sides.

While all of this is happening Adam is approached by the barrister he most admires, the man who ignited his interest in law, to assist him on another case. Adam is overjoyed to be asked but slowly realises that the case involves a moral dilemma; persist in a lie and the client faces years in jail, tell the truth and the client faces retribution.

Once again we witness the punishing workload for anyone who aspires to be a barrister. Adam's old pupil master, Jonathan Taylor-Cameron, makes a couple of brief appearances and is his usual misogynistic, lazy and pompous self. Thankfully, this character is more than balanced by the number of hard-working and conscientious barristers, although we learn that even the most successful among them have to make sacrifices.

There is a sprinkling of humour throughout thanks to the irregular phone conversations Adam has with his mother. She is still trying to run his life, and his love life in particular. Adam seems to be running a constant battle to stop her from turning up at his bedsit or place of work.

Dogged determination, exposing hidden secrets and realising that the image a celebrity displays isn't always a true reflection of their real character helps Adam to uncover exactly what happened on the fateful day Jessica Holby died.

I listened to the first book in this series via audiobook and thought it was brilliant but this second one fell a bit flat for me. It was quite repetitive in terms of plot to the first book and there were far too many characters to keep track of. I did then find it a bit difficult to keep invested in the story and lost interest about half way through. It’s a shame as the first one was great!

This has bags of potential! This was a good follow up to the first one! I really like Adam and the other characters! The cases he looks after in this one are just as high profile but I didn’t find them as hooking as the first. What I will always enjoy is the phone call conversation interludes between Adam and his mum. You really do get to see Adam a bit more and I love the Jewish integration with his mum too!

Another winner from Rob Rinder!
It was fun meeting up with Adam and his colleagues again, although, I know this is the second book, but I did think the rather longwinded explanations for new readers of how they knew each other would have benefitted from some further editing.
The scenes with Adam's mother injected some lovely humour, and the page turning main case progressed as expected with the perils of celebrity well documented! However, the part I was most touched by was the case involving Alexei and his brother, as I felt the author described well the dilemmas and dangers faced by clients as their barristers pursue Truth and the need to do what they feel is morally right.
Thank you to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.