Today we are delighted to be joined by Jo Murray to discuss her debut thriller Dissection of a Murder. This twisty legal thriller has taken the world by storm, becoming an instant Sunday Times bestseller and will be adapted for series two of Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent.
Hi Jo, thank you for joining us today. Please could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your book Dissection of a Murder?
Thanks so much for having me! I’m grew up on a rough estate in Teesside and, despite everyone’s insistence I’d never do it, I became a criminal barrister. Dissection of a Murder is a legal courtroom thriller about a young female barrister who defends a prolific criminal charged with murdering a local judge. Her opponent in the case is the most feared prosecutor on circuit, and the man who taught her everything she knows. He is also her husband.
Where did the idea for this book originate from?
I have always been fascinated with the criminal jury and how we, as advocates, present evidence to them in a trial. I wanted to examine whether it was possible for a barrister to manipulate a jury by twisting information to serve their own agenda.
This is such a brilliant, twisty and well-constructed book. What was your process in creating this like and how did you keep track of the different plot strands?
I planned the book like it was a trial. No stone was left unturned and I approached each plot strand from different angles to ensure I had had covered everything. My legal training helped with the plotting here!
I loved how this story is so rooted in the North East of England. Why did you choose this setting and how did it inform the story?
I knew from the outset that it would be set in the North East. As a North East girl myself, it was important that the main character, Leila, originated from the region. She has a grit and determination that is vitally important in ensuring her survival at the Bar throughout the story. Durham was a perfect setting for the book as it perfectly mirrors the archaic and respected traditions of the Bar, but there is an unsettling undertone after nightfall which I love.
What is one message or lingering thought that you’d like readers to take away from this book?
I hope this book sparks a debate about what exactly brings criminals to the courtroom, and I hope it gets people talking about what justice really means. This book should force people to assess their moral compass, and they should feel uncomfortable after reading that last chapter.
What was it like seeing your book adapted and how involved were you with the process? How do you think your background in law informs your writing?
It still doesn’t feel real! To have David E Kelley adapt my work for screen is the biggest honour as he is a writer I’ve admired since I was a teenager. I adored Ally McBeal! He trained as a lawyer himself, and I think that is why he is known to be one of the best writers of legal dramas we have. Having a background in law adds a layer of authenticity to your project, it’s in the small details.
If you could wipe your memory of the big twist and read a book for the first time again, which book would you pick?
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. I was not prepared for that.
What songs or music would serve as your ideal soundtrack for Dissection of a Murder?
Music plays such a huge part in my creative process, and I have a playlist for this book. Some songs feature in the novel and they are Delilah by Tom Jones and You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and The Pacemakers, but you’ll have to read the book to find out why they’re relevant!
What books have you enjoyed so far this year and are there any that you can’t wait to get your hands on?
I really loved The Death of Us by Abigail Dean and My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney. I have also just received One Dark Summer by Sarah Hornsley and I can’t wait to dive into that one.
If possible, please can you share a little about what you are currently working on or any upcoming projects you have?
It’s another legal thriller that is quite dark in tone. It requires meticulous planning, but I love that feeling when it all clicks together.
Finally if you could only use five words to describe Dissection of a Murder, what would they be?
Shocking. Gripping. Tense. Authentic. Tragic.
