Picador swoops for third book from The Secret Barrister

Picador has swooped for the third book from The Secret Barrister, which charts their transformation from "hang 'em and flog 'em, austerity-supporting twenty-something to campaigning, bestselling, reforming author".

Editor Kris Doyle acquired UK and Commonwealth rights for Nothing But The Truth: Stories of Crime, Guilt and the Loss of Innocence from Chris Wellbelove at Aitken Alexander Associates. It will publish on 12th May 2022.

The publisher said: "Nothing But The Truth charts an outsider’s progress down the winding path towards practising at the Bar, taking in the sometimes absurd traditions of the Inns of Court, where every meal mandates a glass of port and a toast to the Queen, to the Hunger Games-type contest for pupillage, through the endlessly frustrating experience of being a junior barrister — as a creaking, ailing justice system begins to convince them that something has to change. 

"Full of hilarious, shocking, and surprising stories from their working life, Nothing But The Truth tracks the Secret Barrister’s transformation from hang 'em and flog 'em, austerity-supporting twenty-something to campaigning, bestselling, reforming author whose writing in defence of the law is celebrated around the globe. It asks questions about what we understand by justice, and what it takes to change our minds. It also reveals the darker side of working in criminal law, and how the things our justice system gets wrong are not the things most people expect."

Andrea Henry, editorial director at Picador, said: “What a privilege to be working with The Secret Barrister for their third book. This is a really fresh look at the law and life, a wonderfully entertaining and eye-opening romp through a young barrister’s journey that’s full of surprises. Here’s a very special writer who’s going from strength to strength.”

The Secret Barrister said: “There is often a chasm between what the public expects from our criminal justice system, and the views held by those who work in the legal profession. As somebody whose strongly-held opinions have over time jumped across that divide, I am tremendously excited to explore what it is about exposure to the criminal justice system that leads to one particular world view, and how we might reconcile our shared ideas about justice.”

Their first book, The Secret Barrister, sold 334,529 copies across all editions through the Total Consumer Market in the UK, while the second book, Fake Law, has sold 76,843 copies.