Verbal Peter Murphy

  

VERBAL BY PETER  MURPHY  Paperback published by No exit press 10th December 2020  ‘A good polic force  is one that catches more crooks than it employs – Sir Robert Mark A  clever, accomplished Cambridge graduate  with a good job and an attentive lover, Imogen Lester seems to have the world at her feet. Byt when her parents are murdered abroad while working for the Diplomantic  Service, she is suddenly thrown headlong  into a murky world of espionage and organised crime. When she is charged with drug trafficking even Ben Schroeder’s  skills may not be enough to save her – unless a shadowy figure from Ben’s past can survive long enough  to unmask a web of graft and corruption. MY REVIEW  I have read two other books by Peter Murphy and Verbal is my absolute favourite legal thriller. I loved how this storyline was set out with the first half of what happened, and leads to part two twisting the story.   If you love reading crime novels with a twist in the tale look no further than Verbal that is a fantastic Ben Schroeder novel.  What to look forward to in the first half of the book.  Julia Cathermole a lawyer at the age of fifty five, and is the senior partner of Cathermole & Bridger.  One evening as Imogen Lexter was fast asleep in zjukia’s house,  Julia couldn’t sleep, and goes into her study, when she takes an important call. Julia is told to tell Imogen and Damian that their parents Michael and Margaret have both been bludgeoned to death. Julia knew Michael and Margaret through her father as he was Michael’s mentor in the service when Michael was a young officer.   It seems Michael had been working on something in Sarajevo. To make more complications, the embassy are not saying exactly what Michael was doing there, but his wife Margaret had been with him as presumably as a Diplomatic cover.  With Imogen to care for Julia couldn’t bring herself to to tell Damian by phone and got the police to go to the Lester family home in Hampstead Heath to break the deverstating news to him. Damian was unknown to the Hampstead police.  A good police force is one that catches more crooks than it employs.  What’s to enjoy in the second half of the book.  A court case is held with Ben Schroeder QC  who had applied to join the chambers twenty years ago and was well established in his profession. I’m keeping tight lipped about why there is a court case as I fear it will give too much away.  If you haven’t read any books by Peter Murphy perhaps now is the time look this author up and you may find some of his books for your next read. Peter Murphy writes with a genuinely good cast of characters. For your next read I have to highly recommend Verbal by Peter Murphy as the storyline is addictive as always. I would like to say a very big thank you to no exit press for sending me a paperback ahead of December 2020 release date to read and review.  ABOUT AUTHOR PETER MURPHY  Peter Murphy graduated from Cambridge University and spent a career in the law,as an advocate, teacher, and judge. He has worked both in England and the United States, and served for several years as counsel at the Yugoslavian War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague. He has written nine novels two political thrillers about the US presidency, Removal and Test of Resolver, seven historical/ legal thrillers featuring Ben Schroeder. A Higher Duty, A Matter for the Jury, A d is there Honey Still for Tea? The Heirs of Owan Glyndwr, Calling down the Storm, One Law for the Rest of Us and Verbal. He is also the author of the judge Walden of Bermondsey series. He lives in Cambridge.  You can find Peter Murphy on  www.petermurphyauthor.co.uk