The Interpreter by Brooke Robinson

3.5 Stars from me

Ooooh such an intoxicating premise! Also, hats off and much respect to interpreters, being fluent in one language can seem like a challenge at times but there really are people out there like lead character Revelle Lee who can speak 11 languages – what an impressive skill!

The story follows Revelle working on high-profile cases for the police and juggling her time with her adopted son. There are many hints that there is much lurking in her past and she seems to be running from something and constantly looking over her shoulder.

I like the quote on the front cover ‘The most dangerous person in the courtroom isn’t the killer‘ and that must be SO true in cases that require an interpreter! A lapse of judgment, a momentary lapse in concentration, a prejudice… it must be ever so easy to tip the scales.

Revelle finds herself with some difficult decisions and I was cursing her at various points in the story. Her adopted son was a lovely little side story all of its own and I really enjoyed them navigating their relationship.

Overall this is an enjoyable thriller, with an edge.

Blurb: Innocent or guilty. It’s all a matter of interpretation…

A childhood spent moving around the world left Revelle Lee with an unusual gift – the ability to fluently speak 11 languages. Now, Revelle spends her days translating for witnesses, victims, and the accused across London crime scenes and courtrooms. It’s a stressful job, though not as stressful as the process she is currently going through to adopt little boy, Elliot. She is determined to be the mother to him that she never had, and to make up for her own past mistakes.

But when it seems a murderer will go free, Revelle puts the adoption and her job at risk, deliberately mistranslating the alibi to ensure he is found guilty. No one can ever find out that she interfered or she will lose her son and her livelihood.

The problem is someone already knows what she’s done… and they want justice of their own.