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).
Most Anticipated by Goodreads
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.
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).
Most Anticipated by Goodreads
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.
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Community Reviews
From the first word to the last word of this book, I was completely enthralled! I understood Leila from every dark corner her mind went into. Guilty or not this book you through an everyday experience. It reminds you that you never know the truth behind anyone’s story because you are not that person.
Top read! Interesting style with witness X, kept me really intrigued, wasn’t an obvious plot. Thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down near the end!
If you’ve ever thought, “I would love a legal thriller that really commits to the long game,” then Dissection of a Murder is here to deliver… and then keep delivering… and then maybe circle back and deliver a little more just in case you missed anything the first time.
This is one of those books where the premise absolutely hooks you: a young lawyer, Leila Reynolds, defending a murder suspect against her own husband, who just so happens to be the prosecutor. The drama? Immaculate. The tension? Promised. The execution? Well… let’s discuss.
The first 60% is a very slow burn. And by “slow burn,” I mean we are carefully, methodically, almost lovingly watching the setup unfold at a pace that suggests the author had a very generous word count to meet. It’s not bad. There’s solid character groundwork, but it does feel like we’re idling in neutral waiting for someone to press the gas.
Then the trial finally starts, and suddenly the book remembers it’s supposed to be a thriller. The pacing picks up, the tension kicks in, and things actually get interesting. I was invested! I was turning pages! I briefly forgave the earlier pacing choices!
And then… the ending decides to take its sweet time again. Not quite as slow as the beginning, but enough that you start wondering if we’re wrapping up or opening a new subplot for fun.
As for the twists: I figured out the big one about halfway through, which honestly didn’t ruin anything—it was still satisfying to watch it unfold. However, some of the other reveals about Leila’s past felt like they were dropped in from another book entirely. There just wasn’t enough foreshadowing or breadcrumb trail, so instead of “oh wow,” it was more “oh… okay, I guess that’s happening now.”
If you’re in it for the courtroom drama, you’ll find enough to enjoy. Just be prepared to work a little to get there… and maybe linger a bit longer than necessary once it’s over.
This is one of those books where the premise absolutely hooks you: a young lawyer, Leila Reynolds, defending a murder suspect against her own husband, who just so happens to be the prosecutor. The drama? Immaculate. The tension? Promised. The execution? Well… let’s discuss.
The first 60% is a very slow burn. And by “slow burn,” I mean we are carefully, methodically, almost lovingly watching the setup unfold at a pace that suggests the author had a very generous word count to meet. It’s not bad. There’s solid character groundwork, but it does feel like we’re idling in neutral waiting for someone to press the gas.
Then the trial finally starts, and suddenly the book remembers it’s supposed to be a thriller. The pacing picks up, the tension kicks in, and things actually get interesting. I was invested! I was turning pages! I briefly forgave the earlier pacing choices!
And then… the ending decides to take its sweet time again. Not quite as slow as the beginning, but enough that you start wondering if we’re wrapping up or opening a new subplot for fun.
As for the twists: I figured out the big one about halfway through, which honestly didn’t ruin anything—it was still satisfying to watch it unfold. However, some of the other reveals about Leila’s past felt like they were dropped in from another book entirely. There just wasn’t enough foreshadowing or breadcrumb trail, so instead of “oh wow,” it was more “oh… okay, I guess that’s happening now.”
If you’re in it for the courtroom drama, you’ll find enough to enjoy. Just be prepared to work a little to get there… and maybe linger a bit longer than necessary once it’s over.
Really good read. Easy to follow and interesting enough to keep you reading and wondering. I felt like I was a detective trying to figure out who is the killer.
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