Tabitha Hardy is living a nightmare. She recently moved back to the village where she grew up, hoping to create some stability and serenity in her life. Instead she finds herself charged with the murder of a former teacher when he is found dead in the shed behind her house. Tabitha, who suffers from depression, cannot remember a thing about that day, but she is sure she didn't kill anyone. When her court appointed attorney suggests she plead guilty and cut a deal, Tabitha fires her and decides to represent herself, even though she knows nothing about how to go about it. This is a smart, sharp, beautifully conceived novel. I was already loving it as Tabitha slogged her way through the system, but then it turned into one of the best courtroom dramas I've ever read and I fell even more in love. This was my first Nicci French, but it won't be my last.