HE TRUSTS HIS LAWYER WITH HIS LIFE . . . HE SHOULDN'T
Wade Darling stands accused of killing his wife and teenage children as they slept and burning their house to the ground.
When the case lands on barrister Neve Harper’s desk, she knows it could make her career.
A matter of days before the case, as Neve is travelling home for the night, she is approached by a man. He tells her she must throw the case or the secret about her husband’s disappearance will be revealed. Failing that, he will kill everyone she cares about, until she does as she is told.
Neve must make a choice – go against every principle she has ever had, or the people she loves will die.
For fans of Steve Cavanagh, Linwood Barclay and Gillian McAllister, this is the latest novel from the master of the moral dilemma, Jack Jordan.
I'm delighted to be sharing my review of Conviction as part of the Jack Jordan blogathon today. Many thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me and Simon & Schuster for my digital copy of the novel.
Jack Jordan is described as the master of moral dilemmas and it's a well-earned moniker. While the dilemma facing Neve in Conviction is unlikely to trouble many people — in fact, I'd suggest this particular set of circumstances is likely (hopefully!) unique — but at its heart, the book asks readers just how far they'd go to protect everything they hold most dear, and it's that which makes this such an addictive read.
The first part of the novel sets the scene beautifully; defence barrister Neve is excited to be handed a major murder trial following the suicide of the previous incumbent. Wade Darling is accused of murdering his wife and teenage children before burning their home to the ground; obviously it's a headline grabbing case and now there are mere days until the trial at the Old Bailey finally begins. This alone is intriguing enough but then Jack Jordan begins to dial up the tension. It's already been made clear that Neve is still haunted by the sudden disappearance of her husband three years ago and so when she is approached by a stranger, there is a grim inevitability to the diabolical deal he offers her.
The decisions Neve makes during the course of the novel are likely to divide opinions; some will consider her rash and foolish, while others will sympathise with her ordeal. However, it's almost impossible not to become invested in her actions as the propulsive storyline sees her lurching from one crisis to another. The menacing Messenger and his employer leave her in no doubt as to the danger she and her loved ones – especially her teenage stepdaughter, Hannah – faces if she fails to ensure Wade is found guilty. Without giving anything away, I did wonder a little why they were so keen to secure a conviction if (and it is a big if) he wasn't guilty but they are obviously convinced and there are a number of chilling moments which prove just how unforgiving they can be. Meanwhile, another situation arises which forces Neve to take more steps to protect her dark secret.
It's the courtroom scenes which are the most gripping, however, and the balance of power seesaws relentlessly between the prosecution and defence. Of course, it's not just who presents the most compelling evidence which keeps us eagerly turning the pages; Neve's internal battle is what really drives Conviction. Whatever decision she makes will have terrible consequences and we are kept guessing right until the final page of this fiendishly twisty thriller. I can't see Jack Jordan needing to look for an alternative career for a long time, but should he ever fancy a change of direction, he'd be perfect for announcing the winner of a TV talent show, going by how long it takes for the verdict to finally be announced here!
Conviction is a deliciously suspenseful legal thriller which keeps the surprises coming throughout. I enjoyed it immensely and highly recommend it.
Conviction is published by Simon & Schuster, purchasing links can be found here.
About the Author
Jack Jordan is the global number one bestselling author of Anything for Her (2015), My Girl (2016), A Woman Scorned (2018), Before Her Eyes (2018) and Night by Night (2019). His thriller, Do No Harm, was an instant Times bestseller and shortlisted for the Most Recommended Book in the DeadGood Reader Awards. Coined the thriller of the summer for 2022, it was described as “relentlessly tense” by Sunday Times Bestseller Lesley Kara, and “Chilling and perfectly paced” by New York Times Bestseller Sarah Pearse. The idea for Do No Harm came to Jack after undergoing a minor medical procedure where he had to be sedated and trust strangers with his welfare. After the anaesthesia wore off, Jack began scribbling his notes, wondering to himself just how iron-clad a surgeon’s oath is, and what it would take to break it…
Conviction, was published in June 2023 and featured in Cosmopolitan’s ‘best new books out in June’ round-up, it was also chosen as one of the June featured books by Magic Radio’s Book Club and the audiobook was selected for Fingerprint Award at Capital Crime 2024.
His most recent book, Redemption was published in June 2024.
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