Without Prejudice

This book was first published in 1998 but has been “rediscovered” as part of the Black Britain: Writing Back series, instigated by Penguin Random House. The aim of the initiative is to rediscover lost writing and correct historic bias in the publishing industry. Lee Mitchell is a black female barrister who takes on a high-profile case defending a financier on charges of fraud. It soon becomes clear that her main opposition may not be the prosecution but may be much closer to home.

This is a fast-paced gripping courtroom drama focusing on the inherent prejudices facing a black barrister. It is a great story with a complex ending. The book is full of detail about the legal profession and the processes within that profession. It is obvious that the author must have some inside knowledge in order to write with such authority about such a complicated subject and the reality is that Nicola is herself a barrister.

Personally I felt that there was a little too much detail about the legal wranglings that must be part of a barrister’s daily routine - I got a bit bogged down by it all after a while. I also found myself having to concentrate very hard to understand the rather complicated plot, harder than I would really have liked when reading a crime novel. Hence the four star rating rather than five.

This book was first published in the 90s but failed to make an impression. Hopefully it does this time round as it is a really good read, especially for those who enjoy a courtroom drama.