Published by Penguin on April 6, 2017
Amazon UK
Goodreads
Listening length: 7 hours and 26 minutes
An unnamed defendant stands accused of murder. Just before the Closing Speeches, the young man sacks his lawyer, and decides to give his own defence speech.
He tells us that his barrister told him to leave some things out. Sometimes, the truth can be too difficult to explain, or believe. But he thinks that if he's going to go down for life, he might as well go down telling the truth.
There are eight pieces of evidence against him. As he talks us through them one by one, his life is in our hands. We, the reader - member of the jury - must keep an open mind till we hear the end of his story. His defence raises many questions... but at the end of the speeches, only one matters:
Did he do it?
✮ My Review ✮
This book! This audiobook! Wow! I was recommended this book by Jen at the Capital Crime Festival when we were watching the panel where Imran Mahmood was taking part in, she said if you like a book where you have no satisfying ending then read this but get the audio version because it’s just something else (basically her words, not the exact ones!), so the first thing I did was to get the audiobook and boy she was not wrong!
I really blinking loved this. You have an unnamed defendant who has sacked his lawyer because the lawyer doesn’t think the defendant should be telling the jury his story.
Adam Deacon’s narration really brought You Don’t Know Me to life! I really cared about this unknown defendant as you listen to his life and the actions that led up to the murder he had been accused of. It is brutal and it is hard at times to listen to. Everything we are told is from his point of view, we are shown the trial from his eyes and no one else’s. We have no other voice and so it leaves you completely immersed with him. We are led through 8 pieces of evidence and some may or may not incriminate him further but the truth needs to be out there.
When I got to the final minute of the book I was egging Adam to hurry up and tell me how it was going to end..30 seconds and still waiting as there is still so much to know….20 seconds….10 seconds by this point I’m getting irate….and then… “We hope you have enjoyed this audible presentation” WWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTT! I was listening to this at work so I think I may have said a few choice words! I was shocked how could it end like that! I have so many questions! How could you do this to me????????
Yet! And yes there is a yet! It was completely perfect to end it the way it did. Such a fab talking point and one that makes you really think about the case you have been presented.
It tackles gang life and culture, loyalty and how far someone may go for love. I felt my heart go out to the defendant on a few occasions while I tried to decide whether he is guilty or not. His life is not easy and he is borderline obsessed with the love of his life. It is a compulsive listen and one I flashed through because it really did get under my skin and in my head. I was constantly thinking about this tale and resolution.
Another thing I loved was the gangsta speak, it added so much realism to the book. You have someone from the streets, living and breathing, talking back dropping a few f-bombs in court, he kept it real and authentic.
I would completely and utterly recommend this 1000% times over and it should definitely be the audio version because as I said before Adam Deacon blows it out of the water!
Until next time xxx
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
nickimags @ The Secret Library Book Blog says
Fantastic review of a fantastic audiobook! xx
Zoé says
Aw thanks lovely. It’s taken me forever to write this review! I loved how everything played out and how it was done from just his point of view. I did not love the end of the audiobook ?? xx
jorobertson2015 says
One of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. Great review! X
Zoé says
Aw thanks lovely! How amazing is it! So glad Jen told me to listen to it and not read it! I was proper shouting at it ? xx
jorobertson2015 says
Definitely one that has to be listened to rather than read! Just amazing! Xx
Zoé says
Isn’t it just! I am glad I listened to it and not read it. Plus no fun shouting at a book ? xx
macsbooks311 says
I like WOW books.. What a great endorsement!
Zoé says
Aw thank you!! Yes the audiobook is just immense!
likeherdingcatsblog says
Fabulous review. I haven’t come across this one before but it sounds fantastic
Zoé says
Oh yes you need to listen to this one not read it for sure!
likeherdingcatsblog says
Ohhh thanks for the tip ??