A Trial in Three Acts

A trial is rather like a play. We wear our costumes. We perform to the audience. And on a good day no-one gets murdered. Six nights a week the cast of the smash-hit play The Washington Murders gathers in the chapel of All Souls Cemetery to perform to a sold-out audience, with thousands more watching the livestream around the world. But on this night, the dramatic finale of the third act ends not in applause but in death, as leading lady Alexandra Dyce is beheaded live on stage. And what is at first thought to be a tragic accident is soon revealed to be cold-blooded murder. Every cast member appears to have a motive, but it is the dead woman''s co-star - and ex-husband - Leo Lusk who is charged with the crime. For defence barrister, Charles Konig KC, this ought to be the case of a lifetime: a glamorous victim, a world-famous client, and the chance to defeat his greatest rival, who is leading the prosecution''s case. But Lusk is not an easy client; a method actor, he has taken extreme steps to get into the character of George Washington, and his demand to plead presidential immunity is derailing the defence. It becomes clear that Konig''s only chance of victory may be to identify the real murderer himself. As he and his co-counsel New York lawyer Yara Ortiz sift through the evidence, they realise that clues lie in the play itself... but also that the murderer may be about to strike again.

Préface
Witty, clever and an utter delight, this outstanding thriller from barrister Guy Morpuss KC combines nail-biting courtroom drama with a Christie-esque locked room murder mystery

Auteur
Guy Morpuss worked as a barrister for thirty years, on cases featuring drug-taking cyclists, dead Formula 1 champions and aspiring cemetery owners. Much like his fictional creation Charles Konig he was a celebrated King's Counsel, and enjoys writing letters to The Times to see how many they'll print. He is the author of Five Minds and Black Lake Manor, and his upcoming novel, A Trial in Three Acts, will be published by Viper in 2025. Guy lives near Farnham with his wife and two sons.

Texte du rabat

''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 HALLETTA trial is rather like a play.We wear our costumes. We perform to the audience.And on a good day no-one gets murdered.Six nights a week the cast of the smash-hit play Daughter of the Revolution performs to a sold-out audience. A thrilling story of forbidden marriage and a secret love child, the critics say it''ll run for years. That is until one night the third act ends not in applause but in death, when leading lady Alexandra Dyce is beheaded live on stage.Every cast member has a motive, but it is the dead woman''s co-star - and ex-husband - Hollywood legend Leo Lusk who is charged with the crime. When defence barrister Charles Konig is brought in last minute, he knows this ought to be the case of a lifetime. But Charles would rather be on his holiday trekking up K2, and he isn''t interested in celebrities, especially ones that seem to be mysteriously trying to derail their own defence. But as he and his co-counsel New York lawyer Yara Ortiz sift through the evidence, it becomes clear that clues may lie in the play itself. And that Charles''s only chance of victory is to identify the real murderer...A delightfully clever legal mystery with as many layers as an onion. Perfect for readers of Janice Hallett, Tom Hindle, Rob Rinder and Richard Osman.

Résumé
'A brilliant and entertaining read' - B.A. Paris 'My verdict: all rise for a future book of the year' - JANICE HALLETT 'Charles Konig is a wonderful character' - IAN MOORE A trial is rather like a play. We wear our costumes. We perform to the audience. And on a good day no-one gets murdered. Six nights a week the cast of the smash-hit play Daughter of the Revolution performs to a sold-out audience. A thrilling story of forbidden marriage and a secret love child, the critics say it'll run for years. That is until one night the third act ends not in applause but in death, when leading lady Alexandra Dyce is beheaded live on stage. Every cast member has a motive, but it is the dead woman's co-star - and ex-husband - Hollywood legend Leo Lusk who is charged with the crime. When defence barrister Charles Konig is brought in last minute, he knows this ought to be the case of a lifetime. But Charles would rather be on his holiday trekking up K2, and he isn't interested in celebrities, especially ones that seem to be mysteriously trying to derail their own defence. But as he and his co-counsel New York lawyer Yara Ortiz sift through the evidence, it becomes clear that clues may lie in the play itself. And that Charles's only chance of victory is to identify the real murderer... A delightfully clever legal mystery with as many layers as an onion. Perfect for readers of Janice Hallett, Tom Hindle, Rob Rinder and Richard Osman.