This modern day story is based on a real 16th century trial and I for one was intrigued.

Obsession, love affairs and murder are the name of the game and both incidences collide to bring a courtroom drama to life in the most dramatic way.
A lawyer uses a case from the past to help himself set free from murder. His barrister compares both cases and hopes for the same outcome where a man who killed his daughter escape the gallows.
I really enjoyed this book and hopefully the book will be edited and ironed out before the publication. At the moment it is a little messy with grammar and dialogue but that said it is an interesting and brilliant tale..

I really enjoyed this book I found it flowed well and hooked me right from the start and kept me hooked all the way through. There were some grammatical errors that were noticed as I was reading but that didn't distract me from the story which had such an exciting premise and for me lived up to that.

"Precedent refers to a legal principle or rule established in a previous court decision that is used as a benchmark for deciding subsequent cases with similar facts or issues."

In 1573, the legal principle of transferred malice was applied "by which the intent to kill a wife was transferred to (the daughter). The poisoned apple meant for the wife was instead ingested by the daughter. The husband/father, with intent to poison his wife, was executed. His accomplice who provided the poison was set free.

Criminal law defense practitioner Roger Ede has written a fascinating read of a fictitious case demonstrating the miscarriage of justice.

DCI Victor Shadwell- "A good police force is one that catches more crooks than it employs". Shadwell is "shady".

Kate-Studies for a Degree in Forensics and Crime Investigation. She currently runs a PI business with the help of her employee, Chi. They have been hired to determine whether prominent lawyer, Ian Blake is having an affair.

Ian Blake-Mesmerized by high-end call girl, Stella. His marriage, broken and potential appointment to the bench, probably compromised.

Annie Blake-Her insistence upon a PI investigation into Ian's activities set an upcoming crime in motion; a murder would be committed.

Soon, a flawed police investigation under the auspices of DCI Victor Shadwell is undertaken. Compromised tactics would cause some evidence to be withheld, other evidence destroyed. Photos secretly snapped create blackmail opportunities. Pin the murder on an entrapped individual? Why not. Create a betting ring to cash in on the outcome of the trial? Sure. Manipulate the jury? For certain.

"Poisonous" is an eye-opening legal thriller with many crusaders for justice butting heads with those willing to corrupt the legality and fairness of the justice system in this legal novel.

Thank you Troubador Publishing Ltd. and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley for the gifted copy. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Poisonous follows a story in 1572 where a man killed his daughter with a poisonous apple meant for his wife. By the legal doctrine of transferred malice, the intent to murder the wife, so that he could be with his mistress, was transferred to the daughter, and he was executed. Fast forward to the present day with a high-end call that leads to his trial for murder.

This was absolutely a very different kind of read for me. Truthfully, I enjoyed the premise and plot of the story. I liked the story because it is different from what I've read before. I personally like the modern take of taking something from the past and using it in the present. However, there were a few parts that I found were a bit hard to understand. The issues were all grammatical errors, and I know that for some this can really make or break a story for them. Overall, those details didn't deterred me from reading the book. I don't think that it ruined the premise or plot, at least not for me. I just find that this story is intriguing when lawyers can take one case and use it for another and use it to convince the guilt or innocence of a man. It's insane how one case can affect another if someone can really pick up on it. Anyway, this really did keep me glued til the end.

This was a really well done murder novel, it uses the historical setting perfectly and was hooked from the first page. I enjoyed getting to figure out what was happening and what the characters were up to. The plot was everything that I was expecting and was written well from Roger Ede.

Roger Ede’s Poisonous is an intelligent, dark, and thought-provoking legal thriller that masterfully blends historical intrigue with modern courtroom drama. Ede’s background as a barrister shines through in this meticulously crafted tale, offering readers an insider’s view of legal systems that are as flawed as the humans who operate them.

The novel begins with a haunting historical prologue—a 1572 case where a man is executed for accidentally poisoning his daughter while targeting his wife, yet his accomplice walks free. This tale of transferred malice and moral ambiguity sets the stage for a modern counterpart: a lawyer’s obsession with a high-end call girl leading to a murder trial fraught with corruption, manipulation, and moral decay.

Ede skillfully parallels the historical case with the modern one, using it as a lens through which to explore guilt, complicity, and the limits of justice. The protagonist, a barrister caught in a web of blackmail and obsession, is deeply flawed yet oddly sympathetic. His actions lead to a murder trial where the stakes go far beyond his own guilt or innocence, raising questions about systemic corruption and the pursuit of truth in a world that thrives on power and deceit.

The courtroom scenes are particularly riveting, showcasing Ede’s ability to build tension and drama from legal arguments and strategy. The concept of manipulating a jury through external means is chillingly plausible, and the novel’s exploration of how justice can be twisted by those in positions of power is both timely and unsettling. The subplot involving barristers and judges betting on trial outcomes adds another layer of moral rot to an already complex story.

The supporting cast is as compelling as the protagonist. The senior detective at the heart of the corruption is a brilliantly drawn antagonist, poisoning not just those around him but the very concept of justice. Meanwhile, the trial barrister’s attempt to save the accused by invoking the centuries-old case provides an intriguing philosophical and legal parallel that keeps readers engaged.

Ede’s writing is sharp and precise, with a clear focus on character development and moral ambiguity. His ability to weave multiple timelines and perspectives into a cohesive narrative is impressive, and the result is a story that feels both historically resonant and disturbingly relevant.

Poisonous is more than just a murder mystery or a courtroom drama—it’s an exploration of human flaws, systemic corruption, and the thin line between guilt and innocence. Fans of legal thrillers that challenge the status quo and delve into the darker side of justice will find this novel deeply satisfying.

Rating: 4/5