⭐⭐⭐
Phillip Margolin has long been a reliable name in legal thrillers, so I picked up False Witness expecting a tight courtroom drama with plenty of twists. The ingredients are all there—murder, secrets, and the kind of high-stakes legal maneuvering that usually keeps readers flipping pages late into the night.
The story centers on defense attorney Amanda Jaffe, who takes on the case of a young man accused of murdering a police officer. As the investigation unfolds, the case becomes tangled with past crimes, hidden identities, and a web of deception that stretches further than anyone first suspects. Margolin clearly knows the legal world inside and out, and the courtroom scenes feel authentic and well researched.
Still, this one didn’t completely land for me. The plot sometimes feels overly complicated, with twists that pile up faster than they pay off. A few characters remain thinly drawn, which makes it harder to stay emotionally invested in the outcome. I kept waiting for the story to tighten its grip—but it never quite did.
That said, Margolin’s experience shows, and readers who enjoy classic legal thrillers may still find plenty here to like. For me, it was a decent read—but not one of his standouts.
** Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a complimentary review copy. Opinions are my own.