Our author tells us: ‘Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. There’s one exception. My grandmother, Lucy Davy, had some traits I plundered to create Moira … a force of nature.’
I immediately skimmed through this mystery novel to find Moira. What a character. She lives in Sydney, her daughter moved to Brisbane as soon as she could get away, and her son got a job overseas to be free of her.
Gavin Jones is an in-house lawyer at the Brisbane office of Minerallic, an international company. He dies. He’s only 39 years old and the police suspect foul play. We await the toxicology results. If it’s murder, there are suspects galore. All appear to have motive, means and opportunity.
Many colleagues and acquaintances disliked him; he treated Anne, his wife, and children abominably; and was obviously absent from the university’s tutorial when ethical standards were discussed.
Howard Green, an Australian law partnership, has a branch in Brisbane. Many of the Brisbane partners rely on the fees coming from Minerallic to maintain their lavish lifestyles. There are rumours that Gavin is considering another law firm and therefore cutting off their income stream. Gloria, Gavin’s second in command, is considered his most likely successor should he fall under a bus. Gloria is thought to favour Howard Green’s continuation as the company’s lawyers. There’s no love lost between Gloria and Gavin.
Charlie, Anne’s brother, to whom she has disclosed her husband’s treatment of her, arrives in Brisbane having arranged a six-month research sabbatical at the University of Queensland. To add to the suspects, should his death turn out to be murder, there’s Moira … Gavin’s formidable mother-in-law.
How To Kill A Client is tense, well-paced, and includes every one of the seven deadly sins. Brilliant.
Reviewed by Clive Hodges
Read an interview with Joanna Jenkins about How to Kill A Client
Read an extract from The Bluff by Joanna Jenkins
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joanna Jenkins grew up on a small farm in country Queensland. After graduating from the University of Queensland with degrees in English Literature and Law, she practised as a solicitor, including for many years as a partner of an international law firm.
She now writes full-time. Married with three sons, Joanna lives in Brisbane.
Her debut novel, How to Kill a Client, was published in 2023. The Bluff is her second novel.
0 Comments