4.5 Stars from me
I absolutely flew through this book and it held my attention the whole way through.
This is a tight story focussed entirely around the members of the jury – albeit it while the court case of the year plays out in front of them. It has echoes of a recent celebrity trial about it and this gave the story a deeper layer, for me.
I particularly enjoyed the petty nonsense that the author built into the story as the jurors jostled for oneupmanship and sought ways to alleviate their boredom, and, in some cases, get under the skin of their fellow jurors. All the while seeking distractions from the secrets they each hide.
As a side note, being sequestered on a jury is something I’ve always thought would be fun but after reading about all the restrictions I honestly think I’d go stir crazy!
What initially appears to be at best playful, and at worst mild bullying, soon grows and takes on a darker element. As the story progresses, the high profile Hollywood court case fades a little into the background as the activities of the jury comes to the fore.
It soon becomes clear that Danny isn’t a great guy so the outcome of the court case isn’t the big cliff hanger – it’s the stories of the jurors that holds the focus of the book. The author slowly reveals each persons connections and reason for being on the jury and with each layer that is stripped away, the tension ratchets up another notch.
My thanks to the author, Headline and Netgalley for my place on the jury that is I mean for an ARC in return for an honest review!
Blurb: NO ONE HERE IS INNOCENT
Hollywood’s biggest movie star, Danny Scott, stands accused of trying to murder his wife, starlet Hope Harrison, in a case that has taken the world by storm.
Everyone is asking: what happened that night, and what darker truths simmer beneath the surface of their marriage? As the world watches, twelve sequestered jurors must decide Danny’s fate – but even a jury has its secrets…
Juror 6 is risking everything for this trial. Even her life.
Juror 2 is playing games. But can he keep one step ahead of his own lies?
Juror 13, the alternate, will do anything to be on that jury. Anything.
And Juror 7 is hardly noticed by anyone. Just as she planned.
As each juror vies for the verdict they want, secrets, obsessions, and plots for revenge will come to light. Because everyone is lying. Everyone is guilty. And one of them might be planning a murder of their own…
