Unsettling and compulsive, In the Blood is a chilling study of class, motherhood and power from a new star in crime fiction.
In southeast London, a young mother has been accused of an unthinkable crime: poisoning her own child – and then leaving him to die.
The mother, Ellie, is secretive and challenging – she’s had a troubled upbringing – but does that mean she’s capable of murder?
Criminal defence lawyer Sarah Kellerman is tasked with proving Ellie’s innocence. But Sarah’s desperate pursuit of the truth will draw her – and her five-year-old son – into unimaginable danger…
About the Author: Ruth Mancini was born in South-West London and started her career as a marketing executive for a publisher before undertaking a post-graduate diploma in law and retraining as a solicitor. Ruth has spent the past twenty years in and out of courts and police stations, representing those accused of crimes. She still practises as a lawyer for a large criminal law firm with offices in London, conducting advocacy in the courts and defending people arrested at the police station. She also reviews the trial files across the firm and juggles her legal work with writing crime and psychological fiction.
Her debut crime thriller IN THE BLOOD is a SUNDAY TIMES Crime Club pick and a top ten Amazon bestseller.
My Review: In the Blood is an outstanding legal thriller and Ruth Mancini has created an incredible female lead character Sarah Kellerman. Sarah is a single mother of a 5 year old boy with severe special needs and with a challenging job as a defence lawyer she is trying to balance both roles to the best of her ability.
When she is asked to defend Ellie, a young, beautiful but troubled girl who is accused of trying to poison her 11 month old son, Sarah find herself crossing the line determined to prove Ellie’s innocence.
The author’s in depth knowledge and experience as a solicitor shine through every page of this book which adds that layer of authenticity to the story, however it’s Sarah’s everyday struggles with coping and caring for a disabled child that brought this story to life for me. Heartbreaking and beautifully written, I can see why this book was a Sunday Times Crime Club pick.
I was absolutely gripped by this book from the opening chapter to the final page. Full of fascinating and flawed characters, In the Blood is a book that I would definitely recommend to fans of both psychological thrillers and legal/courtroom thrillers.
