Blind Defence by John Fairfax, Book Review

With this deliciously insightful dissection of character and destiny, Fairfax goes from strength to strength. You wouldn’t expect a courtroom drama, even one brimming with authenticity, to keep you on the edge of your seat, but I was consumed from the first chapter. 

The male protagonist, Benson, ex-con, confessed murderer and now barrister, leads a cast of intriguing and well-rounded characters. Life is a struggle - I’m old enough to not have to pretend that I can navigate it with confident ease. And it’s not easy for Fairfax’s characters either: violence, intimidation, blackmail, nasty and vindictive enemies, … our past and our secrets do have a tendency to catch up with us. 

Benson is called upon to defend Stainsby, a thoroughly repulsive man, against the charge of a horrific murder. But is Stainsby guilty? Will Benson get him off? It’s not only justice that hangs by a thread, but also Benson’s career and very future. 

I’m also old enough to know that staying awake too late on a work night, reading compulsively, is not a good idea, but Blind Defence had me hooked, Benson had me hooked. It’s not surprising this novel was optioned for TV after a fierce auction. I can’t wait. 

John Fairfax, winner of a Golden Dagger under his real name William Brodrick, practised as a barrister before becoming a full-time novelist. Blind Defence was published by Little, Brown in 2018.