A Trial in Three Acts

Morpuss interlards his larksome tale with gobbets of the drama, extracts from a legal blog, WhatsApp messages, forensic reports and letters to The Times... The courtroom scenes, naturally, are the most fun and the solution to whodunnit is admirably ingenious * The Times *
An intriguing plot that asks the reader to decide... A delicious mystery * Daily Mail *
Not another novel by a barrister, I hear you groan? But wait! A Trial in Three Acts by Guy Morpuss is rather splendid, with the experienced barrister author channelling the tropes of both a tense courtroom drama and a classic locked-room mystery. Defence lawyer Charles Konig is a strongly drawn, complex protagonist * Financial Times *
What a delight this was to read... A joy from start to a reluctant finish * Belfast Telegraph *
Barrister Guy Morpuss describes with a light hand the splendours and absurdities of his profession in this novel about the murder of an actor during an intriguing historical play... The murder method is complicated and bloody and the legal machinations are highly ingenious... [Konig] is brilliant, funny, something of a misanthrope * Literary Review *
A clever and brilliantly plotted story... The way the narrative draws in literary history and tradition so skilfully is intriguing. There's a feeling of Agatha Christie [and] Charles Konig had more than a touch of Atticus Finch in his courtroom role... Innovative, entertaining and highly amusing * My Weekly *
Innovates with tongue in cheek humour but also a healthy dash of realism and stylishly updates a classic genre... A charming blend of Richard Osman and John Grisham * Crime Time *
A considerable achievement as a courtroom drama that works as a page-turner at once witty, well-observed and a pleasing fantasy... Definitely one to read * The Critic *
A captivating murder mystery executed with pin-point precision and skill that verges on the masterful. My verdict: all rise for a future book of the year -- Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEAL
An excellent courtroom drama... Always great to read about trials and barristers when written by someone who knows exactly what they're talking about and this is a highly entertaining read. Very clever too with all the red herrings and intellectual arguments you could hope for -- Harriet Tyce, author of BLOOD ORANGE
If you like your thrillers multi-layered, clever and compelling, this one's for you -- Jennie Godfrey, author of THE LIST OF SUSPICIOUS THINGS
Is there a genre of comfort crime? A Trial in Three Acts is like a hearty stew on a winter's evening; it fills you up yet still leaves you wanting more. There are so many levels to savour through the brilliant writing and plotting and Charles Konig is a wonderful character -- Ian Moore, author of DEATH AND CROISSANTS
I was found resoundingly guilty of dropping everything to lose myself in this courtroom tale of dark emotion and murder amongst the tombs of a Necropolis. The legal and historical twists were as involved and enthralling as the catacombs themselves -- J.M. Hall, author of A SPOONFUL OF MURDER
Huge respect for the skilfully crafted legal thriller A Trial in Three Acts. A brilliant and entertaining read -- B.A. Paris, author of BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
A Trial in Three Acts is as deft as it is surprising. It's a masterclass in character, has the wit of those sublime moments of Rumpole, and a plot that's completely unforgettable. Guy Morpuss is annoyingly good at this -- Helen Fields, author of THE INSTITUTION