Full Disclosure: A Novel

Beverley McLachlin

May 2018 · A Jilly Truitt Novel Book 1 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER
SHORTLISTED FOR THE ARTHUR ELLIS AWARDS

From the former Chief Justice of Canada comes a riveting thriller starring Jilly Truitt, a rising, young defense attorney faced with a case that hits close to home.

When everyone has something to hide, the truth is the only defense.

There’s nothing Jilly Truitt likes more than winning a case, especially against her former mentor, prosecutor Cy Kenge. Jilly has baggage, the residue of a dark time in a series of foster homes, but that’s in the past. Now she’s building her own criminal defense firm and making a name for herself as a tough-as-nails lawyer willing to take risks in the courtroom.

When the affluent and enigmatic Vincent Trussardi is accused of his wife Laura’s murder, Jilly agrees to defend him, despite predictions that the case is a sure loser and warnings from those close to her to stay away from the Trussardi family. Determined to prove everyone wrong, Jilly investigates Laura’s death, hoping to discover a shred of evidence that might give the jury a reasonable doubt. Instead, she is confronted by damning evidence and uncooperative witnesses at every turn. Someone isn’t telling the truth, but who?

With her reputation and Vincent’s life on the line, Jilly tries to unravel the web of secrets surrounding Laura’s murder. As she digs deeper, she uncovers a startling revelation that will change not only the case, but her life forever.

From the gritty streets of Vancouver to the fateful halls of justice, Full Disclosure is a razor-sharp thriller that pulses with authenticity and intrigue.

Ratings and reviews

Jilly Truitt is a young, ambitious criminal lawyer making a name for herself. When a wealthy businessman, Vincent Trussardi is accused of murdering his young wife, he reaches out to Truitt to defend him. This will be a high profile case with a significant retainer and Jilly is eager to take it on even though the evidence overwhelmingly suggests her client is guilty. Full Disclosure is Beverley McLachlin’s first novel after seveteen years as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, the first women to hold that position and the longest-serving Chief Justice in Canadian history. As a jurist, McLachlin is formidable, as an author she’s just a beginner, and it shows. There are a number of plot points in the book that stretched this reader’s suspension of disbelief nearly to the breaking point, but I hung in there expecting some insights regarding the Canadian legal system, the professionals involved and those they prosecute or defend. There weren’t any. In fact, the lack of originality had me wondering if I hadn’t read this before. That isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy it. The story takes place in Vancouver, Canada, my hometown and hers, and it was fun recognizing the restaurants, landmarks and neighbourhoods where the scenes unfold. Unfortunately, as the novel draws to an end, and with many questions still unanswered, the author (out of desperation?) resorts to the old, tired technique of having her protagonist goad a suspect, Perry Mason style, into confessing. Of course, this confession is taped on a recorder hidden in her pocket and is used to exonerate her client. See what I mean about lack of originality. Though it didn't have any real bearing on the novel, I was surprised and disappointed at the author’s treatment of a First Nation person in her story. Though a very minor character, when this young woman is challenged by isolation and unhappiness her choice is to become a drug addict and support her habit by prostitution. With so many other positive possibilities out there, why did someone of McLachlin’s stature and presumed sensibilities choose this clichéd depiction of our Indigenous people? Despite the efforts of the best editors Simon and Schuster employ, I doubt Full Disclosure would have been published had it not been for the author’s significant profile which, like all books written by celebrities, assures at least some sales. The real test will be McLachlin’s next novel - if she writes one..

This is the first novel by Beverley MacLachlin. Ms. MacLachlin is the former Chief Justice of Canada and the first woman to hold that position. I was excited to read this book by a Canadian author and it did not disappoint. Full Disclosure is the story of Jilly Truitt a young defense attorney who takes on a highly publicised murder case which will change her life. Vincent Trussardi is accused of the murder of his wife Laura. Vincent claims his innocence but is hiding something. Jilly must dig deep to get to the truth and soon her life is threatened because she is getting too close to it. Jilly starts questioning everything and realizes that she is too personally involved in this case. But who is Laura Trussardi's killer and why did he or she kill her? This book is an awesome read with many surprises.

An interesting novel from someone who actually understands law at its highest levels.

About the author

Beverley McLachlin is the #1 bestselling author of two novels, Full Disclosure and Denial, and a memoir, Truth Be Told, which won the prestigious Writers’ Trust Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing and the Ottawa Book Award for Nonfiction. From 2000 to 2017, McLachlin was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. She is the first woman to hold that position and the longest-serving Chief Justice in Canadian history. In 2018, McLachlin became a Companion of the Order of Canada, the highest honour within the Order. Visit her at BeverleyMcLachlin.com.