The Recommended Reading Path
Beverley McLachlin is best known in the literary world for her gripping series featuring criminal defense lawyer Jilly Truitt. Because the protagonist's personal life undergoes major, life-altering transformations across the books, it is highly recommended to read them in order of publication.
If you prefer real-life legal history and personal triumphs, you can also start with her award-winning memoir, which provides excellent context on the real-world experiences that inspired her legal thrillers.
The Jilly Truitt Series in Order
This Vancouver-based legal thriller series follows Jilly Truitt, a fierce, independent criminal defense attorney with a troubled past who takes on high-stakes, ethically complex cases.
1. Full Disclosure (2018)
This is the debut novel that introduced readers to Jilly Truitt. In this high-stakes thriller, Jilly is hired to defend Vincent Trussardi, a wealthy and influential Vancouver businessman accused of murdering his wife. As Jilly digs into the case, she finds herself facing off against her former mentor and legendary prosecutor, Cy Kenge. The book establishes Jilly's gritty determination, her complex history, and her relentless pursuit of truth despite the personal costs.
2. Denial (2021)
In the second installment, Jilly takes on a case that hits close to home and touches on a highly debated legal and moral issue: Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID). She defends Vera Wyatt, a woman accused of murdering her own mother, who was suffering from terminal cancer. Vera denies the murder charge, claiming she only wanted to ease her mother's suffering. Behind the scenes, Jilly's personal life becomes deeply intertwined with her work, leading to a tragic climax where her partner, Mike, is killed while trying to protect her from a threat related to one of her cases.
3. Proof (2024)
The third novel finds Jilly at a vulnerable crossroads. Still grieving the tragic death of Mike, she is now a new mother navigating maternity leave with her infant daughter. She is pulled back into the courtroom to defend Kate Sinclair-Jones, a mother accused of kidnapping her own child, Tess, following a toxic custody battle with a celebrity ex-husband. As the case shifts from kidnapping to a potential murder charge, Jilly must balance her protective maternal instincts with her duty to uncover the truth and save a missing child.
Memoir and Non-Fiction
Truth Be Told: My Journey Through Life and the Law (2019)
McLachlin’s memoir is a compelling look at her path from a childhood home without electricity in Pincher Creek, Alberta, to the highest judicial office in Canada. It serves as an inspiring companion piece to her novels, showing the real-world grit, philosophy, and legal career that shaped her perspective on justice. The memoir won the prestigious Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Jilly Truitt's world, it helps to understand who she is. Jilly is not a perfect hero; she is a deeply flawed, resilient survivor. Having grown up in Canada's foster care system, she overcame a dark past of instability, self-harm, and drug abuse. This history gives her a unique empathy for her clients, who are often judged harshly by society. The atmospheric Vancouver setting, from the rainy downtown streets to Bowen Island, plays a key character role in the series, reflecting the moody, high-stakes nature of the legal drama.