This is an amazing story based on true facts of the single minded passion that grips certain people to achieve great things against all the odds and against everyone’s expectations. Now , I’m the first to admit to being obsessive about achieving my stated aims and ambitions , nothing will stop me , even if it is to my own detriment . But John Bartlett takes this to another level completely . It just so happens that John was a racing driver and so was I , but don’t be put off if you have no interest in motor racing , because this is an object lesson in tenacity and perseverance . Because of my knowledge and experiences in racing I can vouch for the authenticity of most subjects he has covered . If you think motor racing is glamorous , read this book and you may change your mind ! Yes it is dangerous , expensive , time consuming , soul destroying and futile , but once you’ve tried it , there’s no going back , it’s always in your blood ! It’s the same with this book , it’s incredibly well written and gripping , and once you’ve started reading it , you have to keep going , it’s impossible to put down !
Metropolitan Police corruption
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I didn’t go looking for this book it found me and I wasn’t disappointed. I happened to see a review of it when I googled some information about another racing driver . I was intrigued to read the author lived literally just down the road from me , and he was also an ex-racing driver, same as me.
Reading this book was a bit like when you are a kid watching a horror movie behind the settee cushions because it’s so scary. You want to watch but at times it’s too much . This book is so scary because it makes you think ‘ how awful , I’m so glad that didn’t happen to me’. The really unsettling thing is that it could have happened to any of us . Events conspired against the author and his life and his family’s life spiralled into a living nightmare from which there seemed no escape. That they all came through it is a testimony to their closeness as a family and determination to survive.
It is very well written , and I especially liked the way the accounts of real motor races were spliced into short sections in between the courtroom dramas. The contrast between the two scenarios was like watching an artist blending the foreground seamlessly with the background . John is a very skilful author , you will not be disappointed , on the contrary you won’t be able to put it down.
It is compulsive reading.
Although sometimes frustrating, when some of the background info seems to be withheld, this is a really interesting and believable story which challenges our assumptions about how the police and justice system work. While it may not be great literature, it is well worth being widely read.
“Could not put this down, does the British justice system still work…..or is it an antiquated old boys network filled with pompous asses?”
Gripping, sad at times but a book that is hard to put down full marks to the author for making this feel so real.
on 14 February 2016
Overall: 5 Stars!
Performance: 5 Stars!
Story: 5 Stars!Where does Chequered Justice rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This was the first audiobook I have listened to and it was excellent. I had read the book some years ago but had forgotten many of the details, and listening to it brought the whole thing alive in a compelling and refreshing way. Leslie Phillips reads with a fruity, delightful voice which is easy to listen to, and many episodes, especially the motor racing ones, are heightened by professionally produced sound effects which, I think, are unusual among audiobooks but at times made it more like listening to a radio play.What did you like best about this story?
The story itself is based on real events, a personal tragedy in which the main character, Will Middleton, is ensnared in a web of legal tricks by the agents of an unscrupulous insurance company. The details of this, sometimes hard to follow, give a disturbing insight into the way an innocent victim can become trapped in the labyrinth of the British legal system. At the same time the compelling excitement of the world of motor racing is brought to life.Which character – as performed by Leslie Phillips – was your favourite?
Leslie Phillips reads all the characters well but the voices of the pompous judge and prosecution barrister are particularly delightful.Tim Vicary (Author)
This review is from: Chequered Justice (Audio CD)
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Listening, 25 Sep 2014
Having listened to John Bartlett’s Chequered Justice audio book I found his very descriptive and well written account of this, so called fictional series of events, compelling listening. Expertly narrated by Leslie Phillips, CBE with his life long acting experience brining to life the characters, along with the contrasting enhancing female voices. In my opinion this audio book has been given another dimension by the clever addition of authentic background sounds by Audio Engineer, Graham Waller and when all these factors are considered, the whole audio-logical experience was more that of an audio-film than that of a book. Which begs the question ….. When’s the film being done? In short, compelling listening and thought provoking.
By Mrs M Saker
Totally riveting and wonderfully narrated, read by Leslie Phillips (the Sorting Hat from Harry Potter)! It had me laughing one minute and crying the next.
Infuriated by the first reviewer; Didn’t he realise it MUST be a true story of so called British justice?
Google it for the background – I was fascinated but horrified! It was also reviewed by a top British QC, Michael Mansfield, who must surely understand the British legal system?
Lastly, I’m not a racing fan but I loved this story about a family. Just so sorry it’s obviously true.
Really recommend this!
Would you consider the audio edition of Chequered Justice to be better than the print version?
“Having read the book in print when it came out I still thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook version just as much on a 20 hour road trip over 3 days.”
Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?
“It gave a gripping insight into how the corruption portrayed can happen, and really does happen, within the justice system. It kept my interest by making me want to see how and if the injustices would be put right which is what we are taught to believe and expect.”
What about Leslie Phillips’s performance did you like?
“Leslie Phillips is wonderful to listen to and really brought to life the interest and emotion from the story .”
Any additional comments?
“I look forward to more from the author, John Bartlett!”
I have also read Chequered Justice and both excellent reads. This is the build up to a book you can’t put down putting everything into perspective.
Life has its ups and downs but trying to form a career in racing behind the wheel and have a family life with all the unpredictable events and finding money to live on can’t be easy. Will also had dyslexia but didn’t allow it to hinder his progress. In fact it made him more determined to succeed.
Highly recommended.
John Bartlett 