'A brilliant and entertaining read' - B.A. Paris 'My verdict: all rise for a future book of the year' - JANICE HALLETT 'Charles Konig isa 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.

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

About the Author
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 is working on a second Konig novel. Guy lives near Farnham with his wife and two sons.

Reviews
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 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
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
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
An absolute delight. A tale of rampant narcissism, cruelty and despicable behaviour. More Charles Konig please! -- Emma Curtis, author of THE BABYSITTER
A clever, gripping and innovative legal mystery. It's a whip-smart page turner which truly delivers -- Sarah J. Harris, author of THE COLOUR OF BEE LARKHAM'S MURDER
An ingenious murder mystery with a fiendishly clever puzzle and brilliantly original theatrical set-up. It had me guessing until the very end -- Philippa East, author of LITTLE WHITE LIES
Fiendishly clever with elegant prose. Perfect if you like your whodunnits elevated -- Tina Baker, author of CALL ME MUMMY
In the dry, wry letters and calm unspooling cross-examining of Charles Konig KC you have the infinitely gratifying sense of being in the hands of a master -- Oskar Jensen, author of HELLE AND DEATH
A wonderful murder mystery told in a way only Guy Morpuss could... Charles Konig KC is a wonderful new literary character - one I hope to see more of soon. This is one trial where you'll happily be held in contempt - of putting the book down! -- Chris Frost, author of THE KILLER'S CHRISTMAS LIST
This is an unputdownable courtroom drama with an enigmatic protagonist, a cunning plot, and atmospheric stage setting. Thoroughly engrossing -- L.J. Shepherd, author of THE TRIALS OF LILA DALTON



Book Information
ISBN 9781800818989
Author Guy Morpuss
Format Hardback
Page Count 416
Imprint Viper
Publisher Profile Books Ltd