As a huge legal thriller fan, I couldn't help but request on NetGalley. The cover and blurb enticed me into what hoped to be an engrossing read.
I didn't expect to feel like I was being preached to, like the author had used the novel to tell her religious views. If you want to write a religious book, write one, and if I wanted to read one, I'll read one.
I have to say this could have been more enjoyable, and I am unlikely to read another by this author.

this was a unique feel to a crime suspense book, I enjoyed getting to know the characters and going through this crime.

With a photograph of a strong female silk on its cover, The Thorn of Truth by S L Russell created expectations of a legal thriller. The blurb indicated a protagonist barrister questioning everything she values when representing a wealthy local business owner accused of murder. Anna Milburn’s case causes her difficulties and entangles her daughter in a dangerous finale. A gentle flowing narrative detracted by numerous unnecessary religious references, makes this a Christian-focused story. Disappointing as a crime suspense novel, it may have been a good family saga. Overtly religious, with long dialogues and lacking suspense, so a two-star rating. With thanks to NetGalley and the author for a preview copy for review purposes. All opinions expressed herein are bias free and totally my own.

Anna is a successful barrister although she struggles to juggle being a single mum & the many things required of her in her career. When a local business man is accused of murdering a young policeman & asks for her to defend him she is torn. Whether he is guilty of this or not, he has connections with drug dealing & her nephew has been left severely damaged as a result of drugs. However she has always believed everyone deserves a defence & sees no way out of representing him.

I did not realise this was part of a series of books, nor did I realise that there was a strong religious element to the story. I enjoyed the main story of the case but I'm afraid I skipped a lot of the 'God-bothering' I found it hard to believe that people brought religion into everyday conversations, especially with people they hardly knew- maybe I move in the wrong circles!

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

Brilliant… had me eagerly turning the pages as I not only wanted to know more about the crime but also about the investigating team…

Anna Milburn is a lawyer. She is also a divorced mother of 18 year old Millie. She must make a difficult choice when she is asked to defend David Leaman, a local importer of luxury cars and boats. He is accused of killing a young policeman. Although Anna believes that everyone deserves a defense, this case is also personal. Millie is a friend of David’s daughter Tiffany. The police believe that Leaman is also responsible for the growing local drug problem. In fact, Anna’s nephew Sam was left brain damaged in an accident while he was under the influence of illegal drugs.

While Anna makes decisions that will affect her career and family, she is also grappling with her belief in God. A chance meeting with Rachel, a heart surgeon with deep religious beliefs, has brought her back to the faith she had abandoned. That satisfying faith grounds her and helps her make the right decisions.

The Thorn of Truth is a satisfying read. It highlights what is truly important - faith, family and friends. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lion Hudson Ltd. and S. Russell for this ARC.

Defending a dubious local business has a major impact on Anna's work and home life. Friendships and family relationships are changed when lives are threatened. Mother and daughter gain a better understanding of why they react as they do

The Thorn Of Truth by S.L. Russell is a marvellous Christian crime suspense that consumed me from the start.
The main themes are of being truthful and living with integrity. The main character faces a dilemma between representing the truth or bowing to popular opinion and twisting the facts to suit. Walking the truthful line is not always popular but it is the right thing to do. Sometimes it seems as if the line between truth and lies is not always black and white but a blurred shade of grey as even those who should represent the truth forget to do so.
Living a life of integrity enables us to walk tall with a clear conscience. We will have nothing to reproach ourselves for if we live truthful, open lives.
When we struggle with life we need to tap into God. “There’s a higher power with a better view of your problems.” What worries us does not worry God. He sees the bigger picture.
There is the theme of trust. Sometimes people let us down but God is faithful. We may feel as if God is far away or even absent but our feelings are unreliable. God is always with us.
Sometimes in life we find ourselves wandering away from God. Within the novel we witness a prodigal returning to church. “It’s like a homecoming.” Imagine the party in heaven when one lost child returns. We all need to find a church where we feel comfortable and where we can call ‘home,’
Forgiveness is another theme. “Bitterness … was toxic and would not only eat away at me but also poison … my life.” If we do not forgive, we risk becoming bitter and destroying ourselves from the inside out.
Good friendships are precious. Within the novel we witness friendships budding and blossoming.
Family is important. Sometimes they let us down but we love them anyway. Pets are part of the family. I loved the inclusion of Gordon the dog.
We all face choices daily. We need to be responsible for our own choices. We need to choose wisely.
The Thorn Of Truth was a brilliant compulsive crime suspense that I greedily devoured. It is exciting and also full of godly wisdom.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Anna Milburn has been a working barrister for twenty years. But when a local drug lord is implicated in the murder of a young policeman, the case shakes her very foundations and threatens what she holds most dear… her only child.

When I was younger, my dream was to become a solicitor/lawyer, but I became a nurse instead. I am constantly obsessed with legal dramas, programs, documentaries, etc as well as the current rise in stories told of barristers, solicitors, and lawyers. This is what I thought this book would be.

It started off very well like I expected the book to be. However, as the book progressed it lost the aspect of what the book was supposed to be about and came more about the author's personal vendetta on religion. Very difficult to finish. I would also recommend changing the cover of the book.

The book about a London attorney started out very interesting, but there was a little too much writing about religion. Had to put the book down