Blog Tour | Book Review: Two Lost Boys by L. F. Robertson

I’m absolutely delighted to be closing the blog tour for Two Lost Boys; sharing my review of this amazing debut novel by L. F. Robertson.

From the back cover:

Janet Moodie has spent years as a death row appeals attorney. Overworked and recently widowed, she’s had her fill of hopeless cases, and is determined that this will be her last. Her client is Marion ‘Andy’ Hardy, convicted along with his brother Emory of the rape and murder of two women. The brothers were tried separately, and Emory received a life sentence, while Andy got the death penalty, labeled the ringleader despite his low IQ and Emory’s dominant personality.

Convinced that Andy’s previous lawyers have missed mitigating evidence that would have spared him the death penalty, Janet investigates Andy’s past, revealing a sordid and damaging upbringing, a series of errors on the part of his previous council, and most worrying of all, the possibility that there is far more to the Hardy family than was first thought. Andy may be guilty, but does he deserve to die?

My Thoughts:

I’ve noticed a rise in the publication of legal mysteries/thrillers and Two Lost Boys is worthy of a top spot in this crime fiction subgenre! I read this stunning debut in one day, I’d read several chapters then put the book down, only to find I kept thinking about it, so I return to the cliché – make sure your schedule is clear before picking up this book as it’s a captivating story that begs to read in one sitting.

L. F. Robertson is a practicing death row lawyer and that is evident in her writing; Janet Moodie takes on the case of Marion ‘Andy’ Hardy, her role is not to overturn the conviction but to file a habeas corpus petition to reduce Andy’s sentence from the death penalty to life without parole. As Janet investigates the previous proceedings and unravels the layers of Andy’s upbringing, she realises things are more complex than she first thought. Robertson does an amazing job detailing the role of a death row appeals attorney, the description of Janet’s work – going through old case files, interviewing people involved in the case, meeting with Andy, trying to piece this puzzle together – was so intriguing. It was so detailed and well thought-out, I honestly believe this could have been a real case.

The novel isn’t fast-paced but it doesn’t need to be – the depth of the plot is fascinating and the characters are extremely well developed. Robertson has written a thought-provoking novel, with an ending that ensures you’ll stay thinking about this book long after you’ve finished it. Robertson uses no gimmicks, she simply details Janet’s work on the case and I found this to be thoroughly engaging. This novel almost has a solemn tone to it, and it worked really well given the dark nature of the case. If you like your novels with every question answered, then this probably isn’t the book for you but if you have an interest in legal proceedings/the work of a death row lawyer and what makes a murderer, you need to read this book. 5 out of 5 stars, a stunning debut.

This book is available to buy from: Amazon UK / Book Depository

*My thanks to Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book*

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TWO LOST BOYS BLOG TOUR