Dissection of a Murder: A Novel

TO BE ADAPTED FOR THE SECOND SEASON OF APPLE TV+’S PRESUMED INNOCENT, STARRING EMMY AWARD-WINNER RACHEL BROSNAHAN

Nothing is as it seems—and no one is telling the truth—in this "addictive page-turner" about a young lawyer forced to defend a man on trial for murder against the mentor who taught her everything: her husband (Alice Feeney, New York Times bestselling author).

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When Leila Reynolds is handed her first murder case, she’s shocked by the victim: a well-known, well-respected judge, whose death sent shockwaves through the legal community. She’s also incredulous—she’s nowhere near experienced enough to handle such a high-profile assignment—but the defendant is insistent: he wants her, and only her, to represent him.

Except he’s refusing to talk. And if that wasn’t complicated enough, Leila soon learns her opponent is the most ruthless prosecutor she’s ever known: her husband.

It’s an impossible situation, yet Leila is determined to sway the jury—until she’s blindsided once again by a shadowy figure from her past. Suddenly, Leila finds herself fighting not only for her client and marriage, but also to keep her own secrets buried. And if she has to rewrite the rules to win, so be it.

Jo grew up in Teesside during the 90s when working class girls were told they probably shouldn’t try to become barristers. Thankfully, she ignored everyone. After studying Classics at Newcastle University, she went to law school and did just that. Jo was a criminal barrister before leaving the profession to look after her two children. She lives in North Yorkshire.

Praise for Dissection of a Murder:

"A magnificent debut. My crime thriller of the year, which I feel is the prelude to a great career."
―Jeffrey Archer, #1 New York Times bestselling author of End Game

"So gripping, so clever, so good. This brilliant book had me hooked from the beginning. An addictive page-turner and an exciting new voice in the genre."
―Alice Feeney, New York Times bestselling author of Beautiful Ugly

"A relentless, twisting legal drama that combines courtroom suspense, unforgettable characters, and a knockout ending. Jo Murray writes with the authority of a courtroom veteran and a gift for swervy storytelling. An impressive debut from a writer to watch."
―William Landay, New York Times bestselling author of Defending Jacob

"A page-turning, twisty, and atmospheric legal thriller with a carefully calibrated murder mystery at its core and complex relationships that deliver the most shocking twist of all."
―Kimberly McCreight, New York Times bestselling author of Like Mother, Like Daughter

"Dissection of a Murder is that rarest of books, a thriller with a twist that is both shocking and entirely valid. I finished this book marveling at its ingenious construction, wanting to reread it immediately to see just how Jo Murray does it. A truly impressive debut."
―Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author of The Oligarch's Daughter

"A gripping legal drama driven by complex characters with emotional range. With surprising twists until the very last page, readers won’t be able to put this thriller down."
―Stacey Abrams, New York Times bestselling author of While Justice Sleeps and Coded Justice

"What a terrific read! Deftly plotted and addictive, Dissection of a Murder is written with the confidence of someone who knows the legal world completely, and who understands how thrillers work. There’s a terrific twist; sharp insights; and themes of class, power, abuse, and storytelling, all skillfully woven together . . . Once we got to the trial, I couldn’t put it down."
―Sarah Vaughan, international bestselling author of Anatomy of a Scandal

“Former barrister Murray lays out her intricate plot with the aplomb of a seasoned lawyer steering a jury to a verdict, shedding light on procedural idiosyncrasies and gender inequality within the British legal system en route to a jaw-dropping final twist. Readers will find this criminally captivating.”
―Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Murray’s riveting debut is filled with murky twists and characters whose deceptive veneers cover dark secrets . . . [a] complex legal-psychological thriller.”
―Booklist, starred review

"Dissection of a Murder is a razor-sharp legal thriller that cuts far deeper than guilt or innocence. Jo Murray pulls you inside a world where justice isn’t blind, and every truth has a body count. When a brilliant barrister is forced to defend the one man who could destroy everything she’s built, the courtroom becomes a battleground of secrets, obsession, and devastating lies. This story hits like a hammer: relentless, propulsive, and astonishingly human. I couldn’t look away."
―Leslie Wolfe, author of The Surgeon

"Brilliant. One of the most suspenseful and thought-provoking novels I've read in ages. I predict it will be massive."
―Nicola Sturgeon, MSP for Glasgow South and former First Minister of Scotland

"Dissection of a Murder is a delicious, compulsively readable whodunit that will leave you guessing—and on the edge of your seat—until the very last page. Murray is a whip-smart thriller writer, not to be missed. She knocked it out of the park. More please!"
—Sophie Stava, author of Good Morning America Book Club pick Count My Lies

"We loved the underdog main character . . . The interpersonal drama is completely delicious: if you love a good piece of gossip, you won’t be able to tear your eyes away from this married pair of lawyers facing off across the courtroom."
―Book of the Month