Take It Back

A thrilling, brave and explosive novel, perfect for fans of Anatomy of a Scandal and He Said/She Said.

‘Razor-sharp…Much more than a courtroom thriller’ Christina Dalcher, Sunday Times bestselling author of VOX

‘Taut, gritty and compelling. This book deserves to be HUGE’ Louise Jensen

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The Victim: A sixteen-year-old girl with facial deformities, neglected by an alcoholic mother. Who accuses the boys of something unthinkable.

The Defendants: Four handsome teenage boys from hardworking immigrant families. All with corroborating stories.

Whose side would you take?

Zara Kaleel, one of London’s brightest young legal minds, shattered the expectations placed on her by her family and forged a glittering career at the Bar. All before hanging up her barrister's wig to help the victims who needed her most. Victims like Jodie Wolfe.

Jodie’s own best friend doesn’t even believe her claims that their classmates carried out such a crime. But Zara does. And Zara is determined to fight for her.

Jodie and Zara become the centre of the most explosive criminal trial of the year, in which ugly divisions within British society are exposed. As everything around Zara begins to unravel she becomes even more determined to get Jodie the justice she’s looking for. But at what price?

• TAKE IT BACK is a brave and thrilling courtroom drama that’s perfect for fans of ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL, HE SAID/SHE SAID and APPLE TREE YARD.
• Quick pitch: Former barrister Zara Kaleel doesn’t back away from a fight. But the latest case which has landed on her desk – four Muslim boys accused of raping a disabled, white classmate – will push her to her limits.
• Zara is a strong, intelligent, and fearless heroine who is sure to win over readers.
• AUDIO INDUSTRY FIRST: we are the first publisher to partner with PigeonHole to release an early audio serial edition at the start of August on their platform. Released in ten parts, each new part released daily, members can listen as an online book club.
• A commercial, pacy plot that doesn’t shy away from tackling difficult questions about contemporary British society.
• A bold and startling new voice that is already making waves within the crime thriller community.
• Recommended by The Asian Writer as ‘One to Read in 2019’, they call Kia ‘one of the most imaginative unapologetic voices of her generation’

Competition: The;Asking for It;Apple Tree Yard;Anatomy of a Scandal;He Said She Said;Thirteen;Secret Barrister;Blue Moon;Taken;Dead at first sight;Hunting Evil;Nickel Boys;Whisper Network. Louise O’Neill;Steve Cavanagh;Lee Child; Toyn Parsons;Peter James;Chris Carter;Lucy Foley;Colson Whitehead;Chandler Baker