In Her Defence

Philippa Malicka  | Paperback | February 2026

The NEW Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick, February 2026. A dark and gripping courtroom drama for fans of Gillian Flynn and Ripley 

Anatomy of a Scandal meets The Talented Mr Ripley in this juicy, page-turning courtroom drama about family, privilege, the dark side of therapy and the slippery nature of memory, perfect for fans of Patricia Highsmith, Abigail Dean and Gillian Flynn.

You've read about the Finbow trial. You've seen it in the tabloids. You've watched it when it appeared on the news, unable to peel your eyes away from the spectacle of it all.

Famous, wealthy Anna Finbow, standing in court, accusing therapist Jean Guest of brainwashing her daughter Mary to access to her trust fund.

Jean, claiming that the dark memories she's helped Mary uncover are real. That therapy has offered her a chance to finally heal.

I'll tell you now that you shouldn't believe either of them.

Only I can tell you the truth. But everything I say is in her defence.

An fiercely intelligent psychological thriller of obsessive friendship, toxic families and courtroom politics, from an exceptional new talent.