The Trial by Rob Rinder

I picked up The Trial by Rob Rinder from Sainsbury’s for £5. I was inspired to read it after reading a review by Anne from At Home a Lot. We share a similar taste in books. I’ve read a few of her recommendations in the past (The Night Ship was definitely one) and I know she’s read some of mine.

Rob Rinder is a TV presenter and former barrister – his old TV persona was Judge Rinder. I’ve actually never watched any of his TV shows, so I came to The Trial as a fan of books rather than as a fan of a celebrity! The Trial is his debut novel and inspired by his experiences as a barrister.

The Trial opens with a really hard-hitting scene. Grant Cliveden, the nation’s favourite police officer, suddenly collapses and dies in court, to the horror of his millions of fans. Pupil barrister, Adam Green, is given a tough job – to defend Jimmy Knight, the man accused of killing him.

Adam’s face doesn’t really fit at chambers. He is uncomfortable with networking and he doesn’t feel as if he is good enough. And his pupil master, the barrister responsible for his training, really doesn’t like him at all. Adam has just months until the decision about whether or not he can stay on is taken – and things aren’t looking good.

Adam wants to believe Jimmy Knight isn’t guilty. The evidence certainly isn’t compelling. But his pupil master doesn’t want to waste his time on a legal aid case, defending a known criminal. He just wants Knight to plead guilty and save them all the hassle…

The Trial is an entertaining read, with lots of humour thrown in. There are enough twists and turns along the way, and Adam is a likeable character. I hadn’t expected to be moved to tears by it, but I did shed a few tears at the end.

Rob Rinder has written a sequel – The Suspect – which I will be looking out for and hopefully reading soon.