Thomas's father, Sir Peter Robinson, is the British minister of defense. He refuses to believe his son. Instead, he has married his assistant and will be giving evidence for the defense at her trial. He will be the final witness.

Author Simon Tolkien successfully combines courtroom drama and psychological tension in this sharply etched page-turner. An experienced English barrister, he suspensefully alternates between the trial in London's Central Criminal Court and private moments among the characters. Who is telling the truth -- the stepmother or the stepson? What will Sir Peter tell the court? With tantalizing ambiguity, Tolkien keeps his readers guessing about the true motivations of these characters until the very end.

Final Witness is a striking debut from an author who is poised to become a brand name on his own.