Blood Orange/Harriet Tyce

This debut novel has been hanging about on my Kindle for some time.

It was recommended both by a good friend who is an art tutor and The Richard and Judy Show.  I fancied a page-turner after some demanding reading.

My critical assessment is that it is indeed a page-turner but also has depth beyond a taut narration.

The writer was a barrister and draws from her experience at the Bar. The central character Alison Bailey is a 40 year old barrister who has her first murder defence.

Matters are complicated by Alison having an affaire with the instructing solicitor Patrick. Alison’s marriage to Carl, a controlling therapist, has turned toxic.

Thus two marriages, that of Madeleine who is charged with stabbing her husband Edwin to death, and Alison’s are at the centre of the novel.

In the final 150 pages there are dramatic events and twists in regard to Alison’s marriage and her defence of Madeleine.

I decided to read one chapter before going to sleep at 10.00pm and at 1-45am I had finished the novel as I was that engrossed.

Sometimes after you finish a page-turner there can be a feeling of dissatisfaction.

For all the pace of plot the writing and characterisation can be poor.

Not here.

This novel also contains a graphic depiction of legal life in chambers and a solicitor’s office, criminal law and practice and a dissection of two marriages.

The male reader might take exception to the three male characters being somewhat horrific but – to be fair – Alison is aware of her own failings.

To sum up, a good read and an excellent debut novel.