You Had It Coming

You Had It Coming is the tenth novel by Australian author Ber Carroll, the third written as B.M. Carroll. When DS Bridget Kennedy is assigned the murder of high-profile barrister, William Newson, finding potential suspects is the least of her problems. Newson specialised in sexual assault cases, and was skilled at painting alleged victims as liars, gaining favourable verdicts for perpetrators, or getting cases against his clients dropped. Angry victims, family members and friends understandably have plenty of motive; closer to home, a wife who divorced him over ethical differences, and a bullied son are also on the list. When paramedic Megan Lowe attends a shooting in Killara, she’s shocked, after doing her best to stabilise the victim, to realise she knows him: when she was seventeen, Newson destroyed her reputation and that of her friend Jess Foster during a rape trial. Twelve years ago, their accusations saw Thomas Malouf and Dylan O’Brien on trial, but by the time Newson had finished with his character assassinations of the girls, their credibility had been destroyed: Malouf and O’Brien were acquitted. Jess and Megan have iron-clad alibis for the time of the shooting, although some of those close to them do not. Bridget’s team is kept busy canvassing Newson’s neighbourhood, interviewing family, checking phone records, Newson’s recent court cases, and trying to locate the gun and the killer’s escape motorcycle. And, frustratingly, each piece of information uncovered seems to add to the list of those with motive, means and opportunity. Then a second death, possibly a murder, connected to Newson, has Bridget wondering if she is on completely the wrong track. Carroll gives the reader a gripping tale that examines the wide-ranging repercussions and long-lasting consequences on all those involved, that result from this type of crime and the manner in which the law deals with it. It recognises the right of the accused to representation, but also the unethical practice of victim blaming. Carroll easily conveys her setting and era; her characters, their dialogue and reactions all feel very authentic; and the police procedural aspect is highly credible. Astute readers may fix on the murderer halfway in, but this does not detract from the story: the how and why are compelling enough to keep the pages turning, and there are twists and surprises to keep the reader guessing. This is brilliant Australian crime fiction. This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Serpent’s Tail/Viper/Profile Books.