Prima Facie

Tessa is a thoroughbred. A young, brilliant barrister. She has worked her way up from a working-class background to be at the top of her game: defending, cross-examining and lighting up the shadows of doubt in any case. Her masterful line of questioning in the courtroom has netted Tessa win after win, freeing men accused of rape and sexual assault. As controversial as it is, this is her job – it’s just about the facts and who can game the system.

Working late one night, Tessa falls into a casual relationship with Julian, a coworker, an attorney who comes from an elite, wealthy family. A light-hearted affair, with a man she admires. She begins to wonder if perhaps there is a future for the two of them.

One sickening night, though, Julian makes a choice and Tessa finds herself in a position countless women – one in three – have before her. And she’s faced with a gut-wrenching, life-changing decision: will she take the stand to testify about her rape, with the full awareness that the system has not been built to protect her?

Drawn from the internationally acclaimed play, Prima Facie is a propulsive, raw look at the price victims pay for speaking out and the system that sets them up to fail. With breakneck prose and a devastating emotional intensity, this is a novel for our times, by one of Australia’s most important writers.

‘A fantastic read, page-turning and thought-provoking. The kind of story you can’t stop thinking about. I loved it.’ JANE HARPER SHORTLISTED FOR THE ABIA LITERARY FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024 LONGLISTED FOR THE BOOKPEOPLE BOOK OF THE YEAR ADULT FICTION 2024 Praise for Prima Facie ‘Not many books can immediately draw you in, keep you up all night, and break your heart over and over again. But still you can’t put it down. Can’t look away. There are not enough superlatives for Suzie Miller’s incendiary novel. Just read it.’ Heather Rose ‘Suzie Miller has created a relatable, seminal work in our understanding of sexual abuse. Brilliant!’ Magda Szubanski ‘Enthralling and sharp-witted – Prima Facie takes an unflinching look inside a legal system that is more punishing to the victims of sexual assault than it is to the assailants. A scathing and true look at how the legal system can retraumatise victims. Highly recommended.’ Karin Slaughter

Format: Paperback
Pages: 350
Imprint: Picador Australia
Publication date: 26/09/2023