Drafts, Disclaimers and Deaths

Solicitor Jamie Cross leaves the City for a small high street firm. There, he is welcomed for his commercial experience. He is also a keen legal blogger, which goes well until one of the firm’s clients is murdered. The police and SRA begin probing the links between Jamie and the dodgy, dead businessman.

The novel is a good read and brilliantly describes the internal politics of the high street firm. I liked the varied characters, from senior partner to assistants – and the long-suffering secretary. She is always ready with a coffee, biscuit and sympathy. 

The style of writing is similar to how one would write text messages or blogs, which takes getting used to. But the way chapters switch from the narrator’s point of view to other characters works well. 

One issue the book considers is how the profession uses social media. A keen member of the firm is desperately drafting policies and rules after the horse has bolted. There is also the perennial nightmare of the lost file. These are the bugbears of the small firm.

The novel has some nice phrases and quips, such as the local cafe built in the 1980s and preserved in ‘grease and faded optimism’ and a comment on a client: ‘Men like him. They die all the time. The trick is not getting buried with them.’ 

The author did not qualify in the City but at a niche boutique firm set up by ex-City partners. After two years, he left the law when his daughter was born. Mather set up some non-law businesses, then later became a partner at a high street firm.  

The high street is about working long hours, choosing clients carefully, and coffee and biscuits. An excellent debut.

David Pickup