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Elliot Rook, QC #2
Post Mortem
Can Rook keep his criminal past a secret when facing the most dangerous case of his life?
Thirteen men have died in a London prison. Barrister Elliot Rook QC, who risks losing everything if his secret criminal past is revealed, must defend Charli Meadows, the vulnerable single mother accused of smuggling the deadly tainted drugs inside.
But just as Rook becomes suspicious of those closest to Charli, a note arrives at his flat – threatening violence if the trial is not called off.
While Rook battles to defend Charli and protect himself, his young protégé Zara Barnes is fighting for her livelihood. In a few short weeks, only one tenancy at the legal chambers will be available to the ever-multiplying mass of pupils. Determined to make it hers, Zara takes on her biggest solo case yet.
But will her gamble pay off?
Thirteen men have died in a London prison. Barrister Elliot Rook QC, who risks losing everything if his secret criminal past is revealed, must defend Charli Meadows, the vulnerable single mother accused of smuggling the deadly tainted drugs inside.
But just as Rook becomes suspicious of those closest to Charli, a note arrives at his flat – threatening violence if the trial is not called off.
While Rook battles to defend Charli and protect himself, his young protégé Zara Barnes is fighting for her livelihood. In a few short weeks, only one tenancy at the legal chambers will be available to the ever-multiplying mass of pupils. Determined to make it hers, Zara takes on her biggest solo case yet.
But will her gamble pay off?
- GenresAudiobookLegal Thriller
341 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 7, 2021
19 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Gary Bell
27 books21 followersBorn into a coal mining family, Gary Bell QC left school without any qualifications and was an apprentice mechanic, fork lift truck driver, production line worker, builder, fireman and door-to-door salesman, as well as a notorious football hooligan, before being arrested for fraud aged 18. After a brief stint in prison, he set off to seek fame and fortune abroad and, after two years drifting around Europe ended up penniless and homeless.
He next enrolled in a FE College to study his O and A levels, and then went on to study law as a mature student at Bristol University where he 'became' an Old Etonian. After graduating he spent a year as a litigation lawyer in Beverly Hills before coming back to England to become a barrister. He has spent over thirty years at the Bar, specialising in defending in major fraud and murder trials, becoming a QC in 2012.
He next enrolled in a FE College to study his O and A levels, and then went on to study law as a mature student at Bristol University where he 'became' an Old Etonian. After graduating he spent a year as a litigation lawyer in Beverly Hills before coming back to England to become a barrister. He has spent over thirty years at the Bar, specialising in defending in major fraud and murder trials, becoming a QC in 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 15, 2020
This is the sequel to Gary Bell's new legal series featuring divorced QC Elliot Rook, of Miller and Stubbs Criminal Barristers, a man apparently with an establishment background but in fact pulled himself up and out of a more precarious and troubled past, including being homeless. He has developed a close relationship with offbeat, doc martens wearing, intern, Zara Barnes, a determined mixed race young woman who reminds him of his younger self. Rook still carries elements of his rule breaking past as the novel opens with him breaking and entering the premises where dogs are being bred for illegal blood sports by Jacob Werner. Rook is particularly interested in a rare breed of white South American fighting dog, Dogo Argentino used by criminals, with regard to a client, but ends up rescuing a horrifically abused bait dog that he eventually ends up taking home.
Zara is struggling financially as an intern, and is even more worried about whether she will be taken on as a barrister, there is only one place on offer and there is heavy competition, with many more orthodox candidates from the usual wealthy and public school backgrounds. In comparison, Zara stands out like a sore thumb, but she is no quitter as she pulls out all the stops to win her cases and make an impression. Zara is representing a young man, Andre Israel, in Wormwood Scrubs awaiting trial for drugs offences arising out of police raid on a pub, along with men from the Cutthroats drugs gang. Rook find himself representing Charli Meadows, a single mother working as a support guard, arrested after drugs were found in the boot of her car shortly after 13 men were found dead in prison. Rook and Zara find themselves in danger as they join forces when it begins to emerge there might be connections between their cases.
Bell writes a terrifically compulsive and riveting legal thriller, the highlight of which are his central protagonists, particularly Elliot Rook, forging a life after divorce, but lacking the social skills and close friends which leave him lonely and alone, despite his professional success. Mentoring Zara and working closely with her provides him with an opportunity to enrich his life and he does all that he can support her, including trying to ensure she has a future at Miller and Stubbs. This is a gritty read about drugs gangs in London, rumours of the return of a drugs king pin from the past, more deaths occur, with Rook and Zara trying to do the best they can for their clients. This is a terrific addition to the series, a legal thriller that had me biting my nails until the wonderful finale at the end. Many thanks to Bloomsbury for an ARC.
Zara is struggling financially as an intern, and is even more worried about whether she will be taken on as a barrister, there is only one place on offer and there is heavy competition, with many more orthodox candidates from the usual wealthy and public school backgrounds. In comparison, Zara stands out like a sore thumb, but she is no quitter as she pulls out all the stops to win her cases and make an impression. Zara is representing a young man, Andre Israel, in Wormwood Scrubs awaiting trial for drugs offences arising out of police raid on a pub, along with men from the Cutthroats drugs gang. Rook find himself representing Charli Meadows, a single mother working as a support guard, arrested after drugs were found in the boot of her car shortly after 13 men were found dead in prison. Rook and Zara find themselves in danger as they join forces when it begins to emerge there might be connections between their cases.
Bell writes a terrifically compulsive and riveting legal thriller, the highlight of which are his central protagonists, particularly Elliot Rook, forging a life after divorce, but lacking the social skills and close friends which leave him lonely and alone, despite his professional success. Mentoring Zara and working closely with her provides him with an opportunity to enrich his life and he does all that he can support her, including trying to ensure she has a future at Miller and Stubbs. This is a gritty read about drugs gangs in London, rumours of the return of a drugs king pin from the past, more deaths occur, with Rook and Zara trying to do the best they can for their clients. This is a terrific addition to the series, a legal thriller that had me biting my nails until the wonderful finale at the end. Many thanks to Bloomsbury for an ARC.
January 18, 2021
Post Mortem is the second instalment in the Elliot Rook QC series, set in and around London. It's Tuesday January 9th and Wormwood Scrubs prison has been locked down due to a fatal stabbing. The next morning the bodies of 13 men are found each having died from bleeding or choking. It isn't long before the newspapers catch on and call it what it is: murder. Elsewhere, Elliot is doing a little breaking and entering at a kennel in Croydon where 9 dogs are being especially bred for illegal blood sports by Jacob Werner. 5 of the 9 are American pit bull terriers and the remaining 4 are the type of dogs Elliot had broken in looking for - Dogo Argentinos, each around a hundred pounds of muscle under pure white fur - the perfect aggressive breed of fighting dog. His visit was precipitated by criminal Billy Barber recommending his services to drug dealer Isaac Reid, who wants him to appeal his conviction for double murder. The killings had happened when business rivals had moved into his territory in the Kentish coastal town of Margate and the newcomers were hacked to death sending Reid down for life. The key to his appeal was a Dogo Argentino that had belonged to the dead dealers. It was Reid’s argument that, since the dog had been standing guard over the property that night, the actual killer must’ve been known to the victims, or else he would never have made it past the animal alive. Before leaving the pound he ends up rescuing a quivering bait dog with a tattered ear and missing lip.
Meanwhile, Zara Barnes, Rook's pupil and a gay, mixed race woman has almost completed her six-month pupillage at the chambers of Miller & Stubbs Criminal Barristers. She is representing Andre Israel who is currently in Wormwood Scrubs awaiting trial in a weeks time on a charge of possession with intent to supply Class As. He claims to have only stopped off at the Princess Alexandria pub to relieve himself while on a run when the police raided the place and was nicked alongside 5 members of the E10 Cutthroats gang. Rook also finds himself representing Charli Meadows, an operational support officer at HMP Wormwood, indicted for bringing prohibited List A items into prison, contrary to Section 40B of the Prison Act 1952. Drug smuggling. The synthetic drug Spice was apparently discovered under the spare tyre in her Vauxhall Corsa. Evidence later emerges that the two cases may be connected. Can Rook and Barnes get to the bottom of it all? This is a riveting and utterly captivating legal thriller with a complex plot and enough action and excitement to keep you on edge throughout. The story is given authenticity by the fact that it's written by a QC and all the legal shenanigans are based in reality. It's compulsive and Rook once again takes centre stage as the central protagonist; he's not afraid to get his hands dirty and is ruthlessly efficient at his job. It's a gritty and scintillating read based around the buying and selling of drugs and the gangs involved in their manoeuvre. Highly recommended.
Meanwhile, Zara Barnes, Rook's pupil and a gay, mixed race woman has almost completed her six-month pupillage at the chambers of Miller & Stubbs Criminal Barristers. She is representing Andre Israel who is currently in Wormwood Scrubs awaiting trial in a weeks time on a charge of possession with intent to supply Class As. He claims to have only stopped off at the Princess Alexandria pub to relieve himself while on a run when the police raided the place and was nicked alongside 5 members of the E10 Cutthroats gang. Rook also finds himself representing Charli Meadows, an operational support officer at HMP Wormwood, indicted for bringing prohibited List A items into prison, contrary to Section 40B of the Prison Act 1952. Drug smuggling. The synthetic drug Spice was apparently discovered under the spare tyre in her Vauxhall Corsa. Evidence later emerges that the two cases may be connected. Can Rook and Barnes get to the bottom of it all? This is a riveting and utterly captivating legal thriller with a complex plot and enough action and excitement to keep you on edge throughout. The story is given authenticity by the fact that it's written by a QC and all the legal shenanigans are based in reality. It's compulsive and Rook once again takes centre stage as the central protagonist; he's not afraid to get his hands dirty and is ruthlessly efficient at his job. It's a gritty and scintillating read based around the buying and selling of drugs and the gangs involved in their manoeuvre. Highly recommended.
June 15, 2021
- thanks to @bloomsburypublishing for my #gifted copy
I honestly couldn’t resist the opportunity to read the second instalment in the Elliot Rook, QC series because I read Beyond Reasonable Doubt back in 2019, and I loved it. Unfortunately, and precisely because I loved the first book in the series, I went into Bell’s latest novel with high expectations. Sadly, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I had hoped.
As usual, Bell’s writing style was straightforward, humorous and compulsive. I didn’t get to read the novel in one sitting simply because I couldn’t, but it would’ve been effortless to read it from beginning to end in one go. I was keen on discovering the truth behind what had happened at the prison, who was smuggling drugs, who was responsible for so many suspicious deaths and several other enigmas.
Admittely, discovering ‘whodunnit’ in this case wasn’t as exciting as I expected. At the risk of sounding disturbingly dark, I do not find smuggling drugs as attractive as a theme as murder. If there isn’t a body or someone missing, I lose interest immediately. This is, of course, a personal preference, but it’s what affected my reading experience directly. Yes, I wanted to solve the mysteries because I like getting answers, but I wasn’t as restless as I like to be when reading crime.
I also severely struggled with the plot development and the surprisingly unresolved storylines, and I am still angry about the lack of logic behind most of the conclusions drawn. The ending was utterly rushed and annoyingly far-fetched, and it seems like my favourite QC didn’t need to use his wits to solve the problem at hand. Both Rook and Zara had out-of-nowhere moments of clarity that quickly solved things, which left me quite unsatisfied.
Overall, Post Mortem was a sadly disappointing read that did not live up to the first instalment in the series. It lacked the thrilling substance embedded in the first book and the elegant and clever plot twists I was expecting. I did not enjoy the enigmas per se or how they were resolved, so there wasn’t much to enjoy afterwards. I hope Bell’s fans enjoy it way more than I did.
I honestly couldn’t resist the opportunity to read the second instalment in the Elliot Rook, QC series because I read Beyond Reasonable Doubt back in 2019, and I loved it. Unfortunately, and precisely because I loved the first book in the series, I went into Bell’s latest novel with high expectations. Sadly, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I had hoped.
As usual, Bell’s writing style was straightforward, humorous and compulsive. I didn’t get to read the novel in one sitting simply because I couldn’t, but it would’ve been effortless to read it from beginning to end in one go. I was keen on discovering the truth behind what had happened at the prison, who was smuggling drugs, who was responsible for so many suspicious deaths and several other enigmas.
Admittely, discovering ‘whodunnit’ in this case wasn’t as exciting as I expected. At the risk of sounding disturbingly dark, I do not find smuggling drugs as attractive as a theme as murder. If there isn’t a body or someone missing, I lose interest immediately. This is, of course, a personal preference, but it’s what affected my reading experience directly. Yes, I wanted to solve the mysteries because I like getting answers, but I wasn’t as restless as I like to be when reading crime.
I also severely struggled with the plot development and the surprisingly unresolved storylines, and I am still angry about the lack of logic behind most of the conclusions drawn. The ending was utterly rushed and annoyingly far-fetched, and it seems like my favourite QC didn’t need to use his wits to solve the problem at hand. Both Rook and Zara had out-of-nowhere moments of clarity that quickly solved things, which left me quite unsatisfied.
Overall, Post Mortem was a sadly disappointing read that did not live up to the first instalment in the series. It lacked the thrilling substance embedded in the first book and the elegant and clever plot twists I was expecting. I did not enjoy the enigmas per se or how they were resolved, so there wasn’t much to enjoy afterwards. I hope Bell’s fans enjoy it way more than I did.
December 31, 2020
This is the second outing for QC Elliot Rook so to get the very best from it, you might want to read Beyond Reasonable Doubt first. If nothing else, you'll get more background to Rook's past and how he got to the Bar and got teamed up with Zara. And it's a cracking read so, why not!?
We start with Rook getting himself a new pet when he takes pity on an abused bait dog whilst investigating (illegally) the premises of illegal blood sports which he has broken in to. He has a reason for being there - wanting to know more about a certain breed of fighting dog.
Meanwhile Zara is representing Andre, a young man on a drugs charge. His arrest coming from a Police raid on a pub. It really doesn't quite smell right to the two of them and Zara leans to Rook for help. He on the other hand is representing a single mother and Prison support guard who is accused of drug possession with intent to supply the prison, them being found in her car parked at her work. Drugs that could be responsible for killing those who partake. Again though, something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
And so begins a cracking tale of secrets, lies and duplicitous behaviour, with a smattering of fraud and gangland behaviour which will have our duo chasing their tails all the way to the rather thrilling and wholly satisfying conclusion.
I took to both Rook and Zara and their chalk and cheese relationship in the first book and I am pleased to say that I am still rooting for the both of them at the conclusion of this, their second. They are completely different personalities but, at the same time, they are very much the same - and yes, that does make sense!
It's very well plotted and executed and the pacing matches the narrative all the way through. Characters - both series and episode are well crafted and all play their parts well. I especially loved Rook's new found friend - bless! We also reconnect with an old friend - see I told you to read book one first!
All in all, a very worthy sequel to what was already a cracking series opener. Roll on book three. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
We start with Rook getting himself a new pet when he takes pity on an abused bait dog whilst investigating (illegally) the premises of illegal blood sports which he has broken in to. He has a reason for being there - wanting to know more about a certain breed of fighting dog.
Meanwhile Zara is representing Andre, a young man on a drugs charge. His arrest coming from a Police raid on a pub. It really doesn't quite smell right to the two of them and Zara leans to Rook for help. He on the other hand is representing a single mother and Prison support guard who is accused of drug possession with intent to supply the prison, them being found in her car parked at her work. Drugs that could be responsible for killing those who partake. Again though, something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
And so begins a cracking tale of secrets, lies and duplicitous behaviour, with a smattering of fraud and gangland behaviour which will have our duo chasing their tails all the way to the rather thrilling and wholly satisfying conclusion.
I took to both Rook and Zara and their chalk and cheese relationship in the first book and I am pleased to say that I am still rooting for the both of them at the conclusion of this, their second. They are completely different personalities but, at the same time, they are very much the same - and yes, that does make sense!
It's very well plotted and executed and the pacing matches the narrative all the way through. Characters - both series and episode are well crafted and all play their parts well. I especially loved Rook's new found friend - bless! We also reconnect with an old friend - see I told you to read book one first!
All in all, a very worthy sequel to what was already a cracking series opener. Roll on book three. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
April 17, 2021
Book 2 in the simply awesome Elliot Rook QC series, this tale is a thrilling ride. Rook behaves, ‘not so much like a silk, but more as some sort of maverick sleuth’ which is highly entertaining for the reader and suitably terrifying for those around him. Rook’s complete disregard for personal reputation and safety, not to mention the more traditional etiquette of barrister law means that his cases slide chaotically in all directions as he follows leads, hunches and instinct to uncover the truth at all costs. Zara his trusty (unofficial) pupil is similarly driven to uncover the truth and bring about justice, motivated by her tenacity to rise above her lowly circumstances and to succeed. Together they make a great pair and this duo have a long way to go yet! The legal dramas and insights into the British legal system are fascinating and echoes of Rumpole of the Bailey abound. My only quibble is that the writers should drop the swear words as they add nothing extra - these stories rock on their own!
March 5, 2022
Really enjoyed this book. Very similar in concept to the Steve Cavanagh books featuring a crack lawyer with a shady past. In this case, Elliot Rook is a London QC, with a past that put him in the wrong side of the law. In this book, he takes on a case of a Prison Officer accused of smuggling drugs into Wormwood Scrubs, a week after 13 inmates had died from drugs overdoses. With a client unwilling to speak, Elliot must dig further into organised, County Lines criminality, at risk to himself and those around him. At the same time, a pupil barrister working with Rook is defending another man accused of being a drug dealer. The pupil is convinced that there is a link, Rook is not so sure, but together they work to uncover the truth.
Great page turner.
Great page turner.
February 13, 2024
When thirteen men die in a prison, Elliot Rook must defend a single mother who has been accused of smuggling in drugs into the prison, but all is not as it seems when Zara Barnes who works closely with Rook is sent to Scrubs on another case. Both must work separately and together to determine if the cases are related and if so who has killed thirteen prisoners?
I didn't realise this was the 2nd book in the series so I read this first but that didn't matter as the book was well explained so got the jist of it, I enjoyed the relationship between Rook and Barnes, they work well together and trust each other. I wish I had read the first book first but not the end of the world.
I didn't realise this was the 2nd book in the series so I read this first but that didn't matter as the book was well explained so got the jist of it, I enjoyed the relationship between Rook and Barnes, they work well together and trust each other. I wish I had read the first book first but not the end of the world.
January 7, 2021
I did enjoy reading this book however I felt that some of the situations were maybe a little far-fetched however there was some great information in the book about the legal system workings and some insight also into prison procedures.. Being written by a QC you knew that you could rely on the legal scenes although (much like real life I guess) some scenes did seem to stretch out a little too long.
This is the second book in the series and although it is the first I have read it came across well even as a standalone.
I look forward to seeing which direction this series will go in.
4 out of 5 stars for me.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bloomsbury Publishing and Gary Bell for giving me access to an digital advanced review copy of the book in return for leaving an unbiased review.
This book will be published in e-book format on 14th January 2021.
#PostMortem #NetGalley
This is the second book in the series and although it is the first I have read it came across well even as a standalone.
I look forward to seeing which direction this series will go in.
4 out of 5 stars for me.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bloomsbury Publishing and Gary Bell for giving me access to an digital advanced review copy of the book in return for leaving an unbiased review.
This book will be published in e-book format on 14th January 2021.
#PostMortem #NetGalley
August 4, 2021
This sequel was even better than the first book. I literally could not put it down. It was outstanding in every way and ticked all the boxes. Continuing the story of Elliot Rook QC and his hard won cases, we find him embroiled in danger once more as he recklessly but courageously leaves no stone unturned to fight against the odds to prove his clients innocence. Highly recommended.
March 3, 2023
I always read at least the first two of a series, as the first focuses on the main characters and their backgrounds. I did enjoy revisiting the characters, and the story held my interest. I listened to the audiobook, but this edition was not available...I will be reading number 3 in the series at some point hopefully.
February 14, 2025
Took a while for me to initially get in to this book. I think I got to around chapter 9 and was thinking to give up but I persevered and enjoyed it till the end after that. I think maybe I should have read the one before that. There was good knowledge about how the legal system works etc so I'm glad I carried on reading this!
October 5, 2021
The first half of this book and the second half could easily have been written by two completely different people- it’s slow and draining at the start, but finished with a bang. Very similar to Bell’s first book.
October 19, 2021
This story is so much fun.
The authors give a hint of where the story is going but not enough to be predictable.
The humour is thoroughly engaging, akin to a buddy cop movie.
A thoroughly enjoyable sequel to Beyond Reasonable Doubt.
I’m in for future novels.
The authors give a hint of where the story is going but not enough to be predictable.
The humour is thoroughly engaging, akin to a buddy cop movie.
A thoroughly enjoyable sequel to Beyond Reasonable Doubt.
I’m in for future novels.
August 19, 2023
unputdownable
I enjoyed the romps of Elliot Rook and his sidekick enormously, though how he managed to sprint after numerous pints or whiskies together with the odd cigarette, God only knows. Write on Gary Bell, write on!
I enjoyed the romps of Elliot Rook and his sidekick enormously, though how he managed to sprint after numerous pints or whiskies together with the odd cigarette, God only knows. Write on Gary Bell, write on!
January 19, 2021
Excellent, real page turner. Characters are very interesting and likeable. Will definitely be looking out for the 3rd in the series
January 26, 2021
Propelling.
Read
April 21, 2021DNF, too much drug gang slang ...
March 29, 2023
I did not enjoy quite as much as the first Elliot Rooke but still a very good legal thriller. The result of the cases & plot unclear until the very end
June 24, 2023
⭐️4.5⭐️
September 20, 2024
this was such a hard read for me to lock in, i'm so glad it's over!! the plot twist at the end did give me a :0 moment
September 26, 2021
I would like to thank Bloomsbury Publishing plc (UK & AUZ) Raven Books, Gary Bell QC and NetGalley for the advance copy of Post Mortem an for giving me this opportunity to give an honest review.
This is a sequel but I read it as a standalone novel which was just fine as I did not feel I lost anything in the story.
I really enjoyed this fast pacing thriller it wasn’t your usual courtroom drama.
I loved the main characters who are both likeable. Elliot Rook the QC and the intern Zara Barnes who soon becomes his sidekick as they investigate their court cases together.
I will definitely be reading more from this author as he writes a real page turner of a story. I like all the twist and turns as it keeps you guessing as they investigate.
This is a sequel but I read it as a standalone novel which was just fine as I did not feel I lost anything in the story.
I really enjoyed this fast pacing thriller it wasn’t your usual courtroom drama.
I loved the main characters who are both likeable. Elliot Rook the QC and the intern Zara Barnes who soon becomes his sidekick as they investigate their court cases together.
I will definitely be reading more from this author as he writes a real page turner of a story. I like all the twist and turns as it keeps you guessing as they investigate.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews