The Body in Question, by Jill Ciment

To kick off the month, I started with a quick read that can best be described as interesting. The Body in Question, by Jill Ciment, is cleverly written and easy to digest. If you enjoy a good legal drama, this one might be right up your alley.

A teenage girl stands accused of killing her toddler brother and a jury is selected to deliberate her guilt or innocence. The actual trial takes a backseat in this fast paced story and the sequestered jury takes center stage. This story is more about what goes on behind courtroom doors moreso than the trial itself. The Body in Question explores the relationships amongst the members of the jury and how they ultimately affect the group dynamic (think: affair, mortality, gossip, etc.)

I personally enjoyed this page turner and love the way it was written. It was very straightforward without being overly detailed and left me with more questions than answers which had me thinking about this story for a few weeks! I sort of loved that. Thought provoking without being too intense and unsettling without being dissatisfied. Perfectly palatable on many levels! And with only 192 pages to devour, this one was easy to read in one sitting.

I gave this one 4 out of 5 stars and would recommend going in blind if you decide to pick up your own copy!

TW: child endangerment; death of a loved one; extramarital affair