A lot to unpack here.

This is going to someones best read of the year.
I just left confused.

All the elements sound cool when viewed separately.
-Unreliable narrator, a lawyer, "comes to" in a court room with no idea how she got there or what the situation is.
-Defendant is a neo nazi responsible for many deaths in a bombing.
-Missing daughter's life depends on outcome.
-Entire trial takes place on an island where only the WORST criminals are held, very few people around, altogether isolated and claustrophobic vibe.

The legal stuff was great, if this truly read as a John Grisham novel with some Stephen King horror built in, I could have given it more stars. It just felt flat and honestly confused me in the end. I'm hoping to chat about it with others and maybe the concept will become clearer?

I really struggled with this one. It started out really interesting but after a while I kind of got tired of the whole amnesia thing as the main character bumbled about. I am sure others would enjoy it. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

While the premise was interesting, the execution left a lot to be desired. The plot felt thick and obtuse with little clarity as to what was going on. The conspiracy that was revealed at the end seemed too fantastic to make sense.

This book was an interesting concept for sure! It moved a bit too slowly for me, though. The terminology was also a bit difficult to follow, but overall it was a decent read.

hanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own

Although this debut novel won't be released until August, I felt compelled to skip over my April and May reads and select this book as my most recent read. It's a courtroom drama that dabbles in the sphere of far-right conspiracy plots. Although the narrative is confusing at times, I couldn't put down the book. However, it( the storyline) may not appeal to all readers. I agree with my fellow early reviewers that the book loses steam in the last ten chapters. By the end, I was left wondering, "Happily ever after?"🤷‍♂️

All in all, it's not going to be on my list of 5-star reads this year BUT I still feel that it caught my attention enough to leave a lasting memory.





Expected Publication 27/08/24
Goodreads Review 06/04/24

Lila finds herself in the middle of a courtroom about to defend a client with no memory of how she got there, who she is, or what she is doing. This started off really interesting, with Lila trying to figure out what is happening, but the story got less exciting as it went on and ended strangely. I think I liked it overall, but the man Lila was defending was accused of having bombed a building because of a far-right conspiracy plot. I just have no interest in reading about that sort of thing, so that took away from the story for me personally. The ending was unexpected and somewhat confusing. 3 stars, I guess?

Lila Dalton comes out of some kind of amnesia as she is in court, acting as a defence Barrister for a man facing a terrorsim charge, on an island that’s a British Overseas Territory. Luckily for Lila her memory of all things legalese doesn’t let her down, but her life and why she is essentially trapped on an island working brings her flashes of her life.

The novel is an odd mix of courtroom drama and speculative fiction. The first two thirds of “The Trials of Lila Dalton” I adored, the fast plot, the intrigue of characters, the mystery - a very good 4 star read. The last portion of the book was a real let down for me in terms of plot, cliche, tropes and engagement as a reader - barely 2 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley, Source Books and the author L.J Shephard for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

I liked the premise of this novel and the authentic courtroom elements. However, the bizarre narrative left me confused and I failed to finish.

This was a highly engaging and thought provoking novel. I wanted to keep reading in order to try and figure out the mystery. This was a step outside of my usual genre but I enjoyed the read and was enthralled with the way it ended. Definitely a mind game book and I would recommend it for those who enjoy psychological mysteries.

"The Trials of Lila Dalton" by L.J. Shepherd is a gripping psychological thriller that thrusts readers into a courtroom drama where Lila wakes up defending a terrorist without any memory of how she got there. Set on Assumption Island, the novel explores themes of media manipulation and psychological warfare. While the unexpected twists may initially confuse, the tight pacing and skillful prose ensure an immersive reading experience. However, some readers may find the ending lacking in impact. Overall, this mind-bending mystery keeps readers guessing until the satisfying conclusion.

This book started out so good but then became slow and unrealistic. I’m sorry to say it was a dnf for me.

I wanted to like this book so much! It started off so interesting with intriguing and captivating plot hook. However, it was incredibly slow moving, a little confusing and just not my style of a book. I do appreciate the opportunity to have read this; unfortunately, it was just a miss for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

The opening of this book (a lawyer who's lost her memory and is in the process of defending an alleged mass murderer!) was definitely intriguing and kept me feeling off-kilter, but not necessarily in a bad way. Ultimately, this book wasn't for me, since the off-kilter feeling never went away and it felt like things were randomly getting added to the plot to keep it moving forward. I think I'm just not the reader for this one.

If you’re a fan of mind-bending mysteries with twists that leave you breathless, then “The Trials of Lila Dalton” by L.J. Shepherd is a must-read. This gripping tale introduces us to Lila Dalton, a woman thrust into a courtroom drama where she’s not only the defense attorney but also the key to unraveling a chilling mystery.

The narrative wastes no time plunging readers into the heart of the action, as Lila finds herself in a courtroom filled with strangers, defending a client accused of mass murder. The catch? She has no recollection of how she got there or any details of the case. This intriguing setup sets the stage for a rollercoaster ride of suspense and intrigue.

Shepherd expertly crafts a locked-room mystery that keeps readers guessing until the very end. With each twist and turn, new layers of complexity are revealed, challenging both Lila and the reader to separate truth from illusion. The island setting adds an extra layer of isolation and tension, creating a palpable sense of urgency as Lila races against time to uncover the truth and clear her name.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its compelling protagonist. Lila Dalton is a refreshingly complex character, grappling with her own fractured memories and doubts as she navigates the treacherous waters of the trial. Her determination and resilience make her a compelling anchor for the story, driving the narrative forward with unwavering resolve.

Furthermore, Shepherd’s skillful prose and tight pacing keep the story moving at a brisk pace, ensuring that readers will be glued to the pages from start to finish. The dialogue crackles with tension, and the vivid descriptions bring the island setting to life in vivid detail.

Overall, “The Trials of Lila Dalton” is a gripping and immersive read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers and locked-room mysteries alike. With its clever plot twists, compelling characters, and atmospheric setting, this novel is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats until the final, satisfying conclusion.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the eARC! Spoiler-free review below.

For fans of: 1899, The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, Anatomy of a Fall, The Wedding of Natsume Arata

I think this book had a solid foundation to start: part courtroom thriller, part conspiracy theory hunt, and a dash of light speculative fiction to keep you constantly trying to pick apart the mystery. The narration felt unreliable in an effective, deliberate way, allowing for me as a reader to constantly feel as susceptible to conspiracy as the character herself—a particularly clever bit of writing that suited the both the story and the broader points the author was trying to explore about truth, reality, and the rise of disinformation very well. However, I felt that the narrative was lacking towards the end, with the final reveals leaving me both underwhelmed and confused. Characters stopped talking like character and instead like think pieces on the dangers of a post-truth society and cancel culture, twists felt telegraphed from a mile away, and ultimately it felt as though a satisfying narrative ending was pushed aside to allow the author to grandstand a bit.

Overall, I really enjoyed the legal drama elements and how the author explored modern day Nazism’s relation to theosophy and occultism as a means to build an atmospheric thriller. The story fell flat towards the end, with more than a couple questions lacking satisfying payoff. I don’t know—maybe it’s because I read this so late at night, but there were some questions I had left upon finishing that I think the author really felt she had answered but that I just don’t grock?

Couldn't put it down! Kept reading to try to figure out 'is this for real? Is she dreaming?' Great read!

Lila has no idea how she got to this place or who she it. But she is standing in court, working as a lawyer defending a person accused of mass murder!

There were twists and interconnecting stories. If you like political thrillers, this one is for you.

Lila Dalton wakes up in a courtroom where she is defending a terrorist. She doesnt remember much but she needs to think fast. The narrative is on an Island- Assumption Island where Lila defends a suspected bomber. Lilas only certainty is her kidnaped daughters existence an the need to win the case to save her. as she navigates through the labyrinth of deception and manipulation she uncovers the secrets of the island and realizes what she is dealing with. The themes of the book are the role of the media, justice system and psychological warfare.

I really didnt know what was going to happen in the book and was a bit confused as this is not my normal type of book. I enjoyed most of it but felt that the ending didnt give as much of a punch as i was hoping for.

This is a different story that takes the reader to unexpected places and thoughts – a fine first novel.
I gave it the following SCORE:
Setting: Current day on an island far off the coast of the British Isles
Characters: Barrister Lila Dalton, a wide supporting and opposing legal staff, and a series of quirky, untrustworthy characters with dubious allegiances
Overview: Dalton “wakes up” in a courtroom and realizes she has no idea who she is, what she is doing there, who the accused bomber is she is representing, and who any of the other people in the room are. But she also understands she has the full knowledge and capabilities of a seasoned attorney. Additionally, she comes to realize that she is under pressure to successfully defend the despicable defendant to avoid the threat of losing her daughter. How she cleverly navigates through the new role and seeks to determine what is going is the basis for her long, harrowing trek.
Recommendation: I rate this book 4 stars
Extras: This is certainly not a straightforward John Grisham-type story. In some parts it becomes frustrating dealing with Lila’s helpless situation. There are elements of British legalese that were difficult to fully understand and the story line evolves into areas of mysticism, white supremacy, and sci-fi that are unexpected and, perhaps to some, unwelcome. Nonetheless, this is a recommended, innovative book from a new author.
Thanx to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to provide this candid review.

This book got off to a great start, initially I was immediately hooked Lila wakes up in a courtroom not knowing how she got there or who she was and there is a journey of discovery at first. However it soon got a little unbelievable and I couldnt finish it. I am not sure that a defence lawyer who gets charged with murder mid trial would be allowed to finish that trial. Secret organisations, terrorists, it just began to get a little daft I am sorry.