In Her Defense A Reese Witherspoon B..., Philippa Malicka
In Her Defense A Reese Witherspoon B..., Philippa Malicka
List: $26.99 | Sale: $18.89
Club: $13.49

In Her Defense (A Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick)

Author: Philippa Malicka

Narrator: Anna Popplewell

Unabridged: 1884 hr 13 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/03/2026


Synopsis

A REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB SELECTION

“You’re going to lose your mind over this one…it is so, so, so good. I couldn’t put it down.” –Reese Witherspoon

A young woman at the periphery of a high-stakes celebrity trial is the only one with the evidence that can make or break the case — but spilling her secret could ruin her life.

The whole country has been riveted by the trial: beloved TV star and national treasure Anna Finbow has accused therapist Jean Guest of brainwashing her daughter Mary for nefarious purposes. Jean counters that Mary’s trauma is from her upbringing and her tumultuous time studying at a prestigious art school in Rome: and Jerry is the only one who can heal her. But as the trial unfolds, it’s Augusta “Gus” Bird, Anna’s former employee — an insignificant bystander, a nobody — who holds the key to unraveling the tangled web of lies and deceit.

What really happened to Mary in Rome? And if her memories can’t be trusted, how will they ever uncover the truth behind her estrangement? Only Anne knows. But will she tell her tale? Bewitching, seductive, and endlessly riveting: In Her Defense is a compulsively readable debut for fans of Lucy Foley and Laura Dave.

About Philippa Malicka

Philippa Malicka was born in Essex and now lives in London. She is an alumnus of the Prose Fiction MA at the University of East Anglia. Her nonfiction has appeared in The Sunday Times (London), The Sunday Telegraph (London), and Grazia among others. In Her Defense is her first novel and has been longlisted for the Bridport First Novel Award. 


Reviews

Goodreads review by Dutchie on November 18, 2025

Anna Finbow finds herself embroiled in a libel lawsuit filed by her daughter‘s therapist, Jean. Anna is convinced that Jean has brainwashed her daughter Mary, and posts the accusation in her celebrity newsletter to her fans. At the start of the trial, we see the proceedings through Gus’s eyes. Gus w......more

Goodreads review by Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) on February 18, 2026

A deeply poignant novel outlining the search for identity, the fallibility of memory, and the interplay between obsession and love, Ms. Malicka swept me up in her words. You see, between the scandal, intrigue, and drama and the riveting court case playing out in real time, In Her Defense was one hec......more

Goodreads review by Angie on February 08, 2026

WHOA. What a book. I just finished and I am totally shook. It is both suspenseful and terribly sad. Mood readers beware- it is hard to find a character to root for but it dives really deep into themes of identity and desire for acceptance. I was absolutely riveted and my mouth dropped open several t......more

Goodreads review by Karen’s Library on February 05, 2026

In Her Defense is about a beloved TV star who takes her daughter Mary’s therapist to court claiming the therapist has brainwashed Mary and is actually a cult leader. I thought this premise sounded interesting and as it looked to be a twisty psychological thriller, I definitely wanted to read it. Unfo......more

Goodreads review by Teresa Brock on February 04, 2026

I have a particular weakness for debut psychological thrillers, especially when a new author comes out swinging, and In Her Defense absolutely earns that attention. This story unfolds around a very public libel case, where a powerful media figure stands accused of destroying a therapist’s reputation......more