The relationships between the four are complicated, so in addition to their law school fun and games, they are occasional sexual partners, with Lily hooking up with Julian, and Meredith with Jonathan. But the on again off again aspect disturbs Meredith enough that she finally ends things. But Lily is a mysterious character, like a cipher, close-mouthed about her personal life and her secrets. Even when she and Julian aren’t joined at the hip, she doesn’t talk about it. She was quite vocal in frequently announcing her high IQ, however, almost as if she didn’t quite believe it herself.
Fast-forward to 2008, when Meredith gets a mysterious phone call about Julian. We don’t know the exact content of that call, but as The Murder Game begins, we are ready for anything.
Back-pedaling to 2007, the news breaks that Julian McCarthy has been arrested for the murder of a man named Nick Allen, who was home on bail facing charges that he sexually abused his eleven-year-old son. Jonathan Sayers is his defense attorney, and before she can even stop to ponder the issues, Meredith, who works for the Crown Prosecutor’s office, will be prosecuting the case. She tries to plead conflict of interest, but her boss turns her down. And the defense attorney waives conflict.
So…the games begin.
Back and forth in time we go, learning bits and pieces about the four when they were young, moving forward a little at a time, until finally we begin to suspect something is amiss. Could the four of them have set these events in motion? Or could the unfolding events in the present have been pure coincidence?
As a big fan of legal suspense tales, and also having read and loved Fractured, with its main character being Julie Apple, I could not stop reading until I reached the final page. Then I had my answers. Or did I?
I can’t wait to see if “Julie Apple” continues with Meredith’s story. I loved this character, and want to spend more time with her. 5 stars.
Sounds like a good mystery. I enjoy character driven novels and these sound like quite the mixed bag.
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Thanks, Laura, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and also Fractured. Thanks for visiting.
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I now really really want to read this one- should I read Fractured first?
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Thanks, Cleo, and you could probably read them in any order…BUT, for the maximum pleasure, I would recommend reading Fractured first. Hope you enjoy them both!
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This is such a cool idea for an author to do. As a huge fan of McKenzie I have to read this one! Great review.
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Thanks, Emma, I loved how she did this, too; in her notes at the end, she talks about how she wrote The Murder Game first, put it in a drawer…and then made the decision she made.
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I NEED this book in my life! 🙂
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You should have it, Freda! I loved both Fractured and The Murder Game…and I want more!
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How fascinating. Sounds really intriguing and would certainly keep your mind going as you sorted out the ins and outs. So Catherine Mackenzie strikes again!
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Thanks for stopping by, Kathryn; with each book I read from this author, she gets better and better, and I have loved them all.
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Oh wow, this sounds like a good mystery. I too like legal thrillers and their past complicates things..interesting! Great review Laurel.
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Thanks, Kim, I loved it! Hope you get the opportunity to try it.
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Because I also enjoyed The Murder Game, I was looking for your review for this awhile back and then kind of lost track. I’m glad to have found it now and to see that you loved it! It’s a good one!
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Thanks, B. B. I absolutely loved it…and would enjoy seeing more from Catherine writing as Julie Apple.
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