The Simple Truth – James Buckler

A young woman is dead.

A very wealthy client needs a favour. You’re newly qualified as a lawyer and this could be your big break, so you jump at the chance.

The case is about to be closed.

All you have to do is talk to a family, ask them to sign some papers. How difficult could it be? Their daughter was found dead at a beauty spot on the outskirts of London in what you’re told was a tragic suicide.

Only you can uncover what really happened.

But the truth is never that simple. And this case could cost you your life…

Book Info: Print Length: 356 pages. Publisher: Transworld Digital. Publication Date: 15 Dec 2022

James Buckler currently lives in London. He grew up in the south-west of England and has lived in the USA and Japan. He has always been fascinated by books, stories and films, especially the gripping, twisty narratives of classic Hollywood cinema and British crime novels. He studied Film, Video and the Photographic Arts at the University of Westminster and has worked in the film & TV industry for many years, most notably as a post-production specialist for MTV and BBC Films. His debut novel, Last Stop Tokyo, was published to critical acclaim in 2017.

My Review.

This book kept popping up on my Facebook Timeline and it sounded intriguing so I thought “why not?”.

I do enjoy a good legal thriller and The Simple Truth is a perfect example of a good legal thriller. We have a newly qualified lawyer, Lewis Miller, who doesn’t quite fit in at the prestigious law firm he works at. Born without the silver spoon and rich family, Lewis has had to graft harder than anyone to earn his position at Renfrew and Hall and when Charlie King the head of the Commercial Division requests Lewis for a specific task this is his opportunity to finally stand out and be accepted.

All Lewis has to do is get a Non-Disclosure Agreement signed by a grieving mother whose 28 year old daughter Maria committed suicide and pay the family £100,000.00 in return for their silence. However Irina Koval doesn’t believe her daughter killed herself and is convinced she was murdered and her employers are trying to cover something up.

Now Lewis finds himself unable to fulfil the simple task his boss has set and begins to investigate Maria’s death, slowly uncovering dangers and deceptions along the way.

I really enjoyed this fast paced legal thriller. It reminded me of the early John Grisham books and this could potentially lead to a great series.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

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