Rating: 1.4/5

Robyn Delvey is a pseudonym for Michelle Davies. I haven't read this author's work previously under either pen name and, based on this first experience, I am unlikely to be reading anything else by her in the foreseeable future. I had been attracted by the premise of a Crown Prosecution Service lawyer (Eve Wren) working on one of the biggest trials in UK history. I have read and enjoyed a number of courtroom based dramas previously. When they are well-written, they can be tense, gripping and atmospheric. By comparison, "The Seven" is pedestrian and quite tedious. It really was quite a struggle to keep going until the end of this.

The narrative alternates between the present day proceedings surrounding the trial and flashbacks to the Novus Theatre bombing fifteen months earlier that led to it. I have no issue with the split timeframe and it should have worked well - but it didn't, for a variety of reasons. There are quite a number of characters, which can make it hard for the reader to digest them all properly, unless it is particularly well-handled by the writer. This is exacerbated by the slow, procedural pace and the author's verbose style, which just makes the already pedestrian pace seem even slower.

Other readers may take to the writer's style, but I found it grating. The narrative was frequently stilted, particularly in sections of dialogue. There is also a lot of padding and repetition. Whilst I understand the need for an author to explain certain elements to the audience, there were times when I felt like I reading children's literature, such was the unnecessary level of handholding. I was just glad to get to the end. This is supposedly the first in a series of books featuring the lead character of Eve Wren, but I'm afraid there isn't sufficient appeal in the character nor the author's writing style to tempt me back for more.

As ever, I would still like to convey my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review. It is a pity I was not in a position to pass more favourable comment on this occasion.

The Seven is a compulsive read that no matter how hard I tried I just couldn’t figure out quite what was going to be the conclusion to the story. Although I really enjoyed the book I think for me it was just a bit too complicated at times and with the duel timeline and different points of view I did find myself getting a bit lost and so I was having to reread some parts again.
The writing on the whole was really good the pacing also was ok and I did like the main character of Eve Wren and as I see this is a book one I will be looking forward to reading more about her in the future I hope. So overall this was a good read that I enjoyed so many thanks to Robyn Delvey.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A fun crime drama. I loved the cultish vibes and the courtroom drama. Highly recommend especially if you enjoyed The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The trial of the century is taking place, seven individuals accused of the bombing of a theatre which killed forty-three people and injured many more. When the possibility of a mistrial looms, lawyer Eve Wren is tasked with examining the unused evidence to ensure nothing has been overlooked. What she finds is shocking and puts her own life in danger.

The Seven from Robyn Delvey really packs a punch with its explosive start as we join world-famous actress Madeleine Farmer, along with others connected to the world of theatre and film, being held hostage at a Gala dinner in the Novus Theatre. The people are being held hostage by Patrick Nye and his followers. Nye is a fanatic who leads a group called The Decorous who are opposed to wealth and greed.

After the shocking events of the hostage situation are revealed to us we jump forward fifteen months and meet our main character, Eve Wren. Eve is new to the CPS having previously lost her job with a private law firm because of her principles. This gives us an idea of her character, however, we see that she is also filled with doubt and uncertainty, particularly as she is trying to find her place in the CPS.

Eve's attention to detail and the fact that she refused to compromise her principles make her the ideal candidate to check the undisclosed evidence. As Eve interrogates the mass of evidence we are introduced to some of the survivors of the heinous event and learn that not all scars are visible.

As we get to know some of the other characters we are given a glimpse of their life now, dealing with disfigurement, loss and survivor guilt. The story also jumps back to the hostage situation itself and we see how each person was impacted at the time and how they handled the situation.

By focusing on the hostages we get an idea of the survivor's guilt they are living with and how each of them has handled the situation. Some seem to have handled their feelings better than others but all are struggling and the approach of the court case has caused many of them to disassemble. Author Robyn Delvey has avoided writing from the point of view of Patrick Nye and his followers. I think this is a clever tactic, refusing to give voice to the fanatics, particularly as this appears to be the primary motive for the seven surviving members of The Decorous to be tried together.

There is a real sense of menace as during Eve's investigation she uncovers the possibility of an eighth member of the group as a piece of evidence wasn't scrutinized. You begin to wonder if this was accidental or deliberate and question who can be trusted.

This was such a fun thriller it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I never knew what was coming next.

The Seven (Eve Wren, Band 1) by Robyn Delvey is a good book with a good storyline.

I really liked Eve. I think she is a strong female character.

I didn't really enjoy the alternative points of view and wish it would have just been told from Eve's perspective or told as a court trial.

The ending was surprising, and most of the story held my interest; there were a few times I skimmed pages as I felt some scenes had too much unnecessary detail that weighed the story down.

I enjoyed the story enough that I would recommend this book. This is the first book I've read by this author and I would probably check out more and read more from her.

#TheSevenEveWrenBand1 #NetGalley @AmazonPub

3.75 rating up. Loved the twists and loved the concept of this book. Eve Wren reviewing evidence for cases was so intriguing to me and I will mostly likely read the next one if it becomes a series. I think this book would have made a really good movie or TV series. Loved the cult vibes as well. It would make a great crime drama.

However, some of the connections and transitions I felt got lost in the story. Theres 4 perspectives I believe, and 3 of them jumped between the past and present which was a little rough. For me I thought it would be better portrayed visually because I kept getting people mixed up and the transitions would have been better understood between the timelines.
It was a slow burn for most of the story until about the last 50-60ish pages. It took me awhile to get into it, and would only read a couple chapters every so often. So even though I enjoyed reading it, I struggled to get to a mindset where I wanted to binge read it.

I did like the main twists. One if them I didn't see coming and the other I half heartedly guessed but like how it was portrayed and brought to light. The biggest one I was so blindsided which I loved. I thought I knew what was happening but was pleasantly surprised when I was wrong.

Even though it was a slow burn, I was a little dissapointed at the end when they rushed to tie up the lose ends. There's was just so much build up and once the twists were revealed, details seemed to be lost when tying all the stories together and resolving the ending.

All in all, I would recommend this book! Would love to read more from the author and hope it becomes a series. I would love to see what other cases Eve reviews!

I dove into "The Seven" by Robyn Delvey with high expectations, eager to explore a gritty courtroom drama wrapped up in the chilling aura of a cult. The premise caught my attention instantly: a Crown Prosecution lawyer, Eve Wren, tasked with the monumental challenge of prosecuting notorious cult leader Patrick Nye and his followers for a horrific bombing that left dozens dead. With the stakes so high, I was itching to see how this story would unfold.
Eve Wren is a character who starts strong. Freshly minted and eager to prove herself, she embodies the determination and tenacity that one would expect from a young lawyer thrown into the "trial of the decade." However, as much as I wanted to root for her, I often found myself feeling frustrated by her approach—she was honourable, perhaps too much so, and I secretly wished for her to take a few more risks.
Delvey’s portrayal of the aftermath of the bombing is where the emotional weight of the novel truly shines. The focus veers towards the survivors and their families, painting haunting pictures of loss and resilience. I appreciated how Delvey expertly delved into the human experiences surrounding this tragedy rather than zeroing in on the cult itself, which initially attracted me to the story. The survivors’ narratives brought depth and nuance, amplifying the stakes for Eve as she navigates her investigation and the courtroom drama.
That being said, the pacing of the narrative felt uneven at times. Some moments jolted me awake—key discoveries and shocking plot twists that had my heart racing—but other sections lagged, feeling sometimes overly repetitive. I found myself wishing for a tighter narrative that maintained the tension throughout rather than having it come in fits and starts. And while there was a twist towards the end that caught me completely off guard, I wished there’d been a bit more depth exploring the trial itself, as much of the courtroom action felt glossed over.
What frustrated me the most, however, was the almost fleeting exploration of the cult aspect, which had been so tantalisingly central to the story's setup. Patrick Nye and his followers had so much potential for intrigue, yet they often felt relegated to the background in favour of Eve’s journey and the emotional fallout from the bombing. As a reader, I craved more insights into the cult and its motivations; it felt like an opportunity missed.
Despite these reservations, I did enjoy the supporting characters—many of whom brought a unique flavour to the narrative and often overshadowed Eve’s character development. They felt more vibrant and nuanced, making Eve appear somewhat one-dimensional by comparison. Still, I appreciated that Eve’s journey was rooted in doing what’s right amidst chaos, but that nobility made her less relatable at times.
In the end, "The Seven" has its share of flaws, but it also delivers moments of profound emotion and surprising twists.

I enjoyed this book, which was not as heavy on the cult (which I was hoping for) and more focused on the trial, the affected families, and the past. I did like the pacing of the book as the big events really stood out, with the book slowing at times during not-so-big events. Overall it was an entertaining read/.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC.
This was an excellent read, I really enjoyed it. The enjoyable main character, Eve Wren, was very easy to root for: strong despite her anxiety, eager to get justice for the dead, injured and survivors of a horrendous bombing, as well working herself into the ground to win the court case against the perpetrators.
The before and after of the bombing featuring the survivors, was quite poignant and felt so realistic.
I'm hoping this is the first in a series, I'd love to be in Eve's world again!

I loved this book.

Totally hooked and invested in the characters/ story line.

I enjoyed the way the story jumped from them and now along with different characters so you built up and different perspectives.

I do wish the ending wasn't so rushed but I did still think it was a great ending.

I'd highly recommend this book to anyone.

Great story. Well done.

Firstly thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

This book was brilliant. Really gripping fast paced thriller which is the first book in a new series . Found myself really rooting for the main female character as she had been dealt tough blows in her past . The only criticism I had and the reason it is not a 5 star read is that I felt the ending was a bit rushed . It all got solved too quickly with no revisits to some of the characters. Aside from that I will definitely look to continue with this series moving forward . Highly recommend

4.5 stars rounded down.

I really liked this book! It’s told from two different timelines and several people’s perspective. A ‘terrorist ‘ attack in a London theatre - we know who did it, why they did it but how does CPS make sure justice is done. Enter Eve Wren a rookie in the CPS with a point to prove and she cannot make another mistake. The narrative is engaging, absorbing and the pace is relentless. I found myself being drawn further in, a real page turner. I noticed that it is Book 1 so really looking forward to the next one in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC.

I've read my fair share of crime and legal thrillers, and this is as good as the next. Well-plotted, technically well-written and full of insight into the complex world of law and policing.

And now for the criticism: when you're writing a book about celebrities, about Hollywood excess and kickbacks against conspicuous consumption, it's hard to care for quote-stars-unquote that are entirely fictional. I have no history with any of these actors or directors, their meteoric rises to fame, their falls from grace thanks to a moment of violence. The grief on the paper, the destruction of illustrious careers, the survivors' guilt, all of it is just a mawkish mess. I don't know how to write fictional celebrity so that I might care as a reader, but this wasn't it.

No, wait, I think I do. I'll leave that there.

So technically well-written, that is, the technique is at the fore as with any crime or thriller novel, but the instigating act of violence misses the mark for me. As the first in a series, and I say this because this is what the genre is about, it's a model for the next ten or fifteen sequels. and I'm sure it'll be a hit, but not for me.

Fast-paced and engaging. A recommended purchase for collections where crime and thrillers are popular.

This was a very well-told tale that I found compelling from the opening pages. Delvey devised an interesting premise, chock full of villains who were truly villainous and a strong supporting cast that was all developed and added interesting depth to the narrative. I did not see the Big Reveal coming, and while I felt like the disclosure and subsequent resolution came about a little quickly and tidily, compared to the slower burn of the majority of the book, I still found it satisfying. I enjoyed Eve's character and found her integrity and grit refreshing. I was pleased to see it listed as anew series and would definitely seek out future stories.

This book initially started out a bit slow for me, but I really enjoyed aspects of it by the end. I enjoyed the character of Eve a lot, she was strong and determined to do what was right. I felt deeply for the victims of loss and trauma and I was glad to see everyone responsible brought to justice.

There is a dramatic and explosive start to this legal thriller. Eve Wren is designated to conduct a review into the evidence as the trial of the perpetrators progresses under a suspicion that the defence lawyers might have a trick or two up their sleeves. The story switches between her meticulous investigations and the lives of the victims and survivors of the tragedy and the cult members who were responsible, both past and present. This made the story a little bit repetitive at times as stories overlapped. Apart from Eve I found it difficult to engage with the characters and found the story telling a little dry and a bit depressing and began skipping over some chapters. It could have done with something to lighten the mood occasionally even while accepting the trauma involved. The depiction of the police officers involved was rather clichéd but the legal detail was interesting. This is a gritty opener to a new series that catches the attention and worth a read if you can cope with the subject.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

An enjoyable first book in a new series featuring Eve Wren whose character I found very likeable, shes a strong determined woman who keeps digging and digging for the truth even when there are people who cant and won't listen.Told in NOW and THEN chapters we find out just how the characters caught up in the explosion were feeling and how they are coping now having to testify and face the people responsible,and the secrets they keep from each other.
There are several red herrings pointing to one character, but the real culprit was a surprising one.
I would have liked there to have been more about the actual court proceedings and I found the ending rather sudden but I really enjoyed the storyline and look forward to getting to know Eve more as the series progresses.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC.

The Seven starts as a gripping police procedural told from two points of view: the CPS and the victims. The primary timeline concerns the trial of The Seven, potentially the biggest case of Eve Wren's career, a case that “legal commentators were calling it one of the most ‘bang to rights’ cases in the history of British justice. The secondary timeline dates to the crime itself: 15 months earlier, when 120 people are taken hostage in the Novus Hotel during a party to celebrate the career of actress Dame Cynthia Seymour. After a twenty four hour siege two home-made bombs are detonated, killing 43 people and injuring dozens more.

The breadth of characters introduced to the novel and the empathy with which they are explored is quite extraordinary. The focus on the experience of the victims, particularly during the trial, serves as an effective narrative technique and a reminder of who is most deserving of our attention. Unfortunately the conclusion could have been executed with more finesse and less sentimentality. A slam-dunk result for the legal team turned into a bit of a fizzle as the loose ends were squared away. What could have been a ‘great read’ landed for me at ‘ok - Sunday afternoon with a hot chocolate’.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this work. Opinions are my own.