'Rather splendid' - FINANCIAL TIMES 'Admirably ingenious' - THE TIMES 'A delicious mystery' - DAILY MAIL 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
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 *
Utterly authentic and sharp. It's thrilling, twisty, and surprisingly funny in places, which is rare and refreshing in a murder mystery. It's one of those stories that keeps you guessing right until the final page, and when the reveal comes, it's both shocking and satisfying * iPaper *
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 * 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
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
A clever concept executed with real panache. Thoroughly recommended -- Victoria Selman, author of TRULY, DARKLY, DEEPLY
A theatrical triumph in every sense of the word. Guy Morpuss serves up justice with a sparkle in this mischievous legal masterpiece -- Marion Todd, author of OLD BONES LIE
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
Funny, clever, and written with heart - it would be a crime to miss this -- Joanna Wallace, author of YOU'D LOOK BETTER AS A GHOST
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 clever legal thriller with a locked room mystery at its heart. With lots of humour and authenticity - perfect for fans of Janice Hallett and Rob Rinder -- C.L. Miller, author of THE ANTIQUE HUNTER'S GUIDE TO MURDER
I absolutely loved this intriguing legal conundrum! A Trial in Three Acts is a gloriously ingenious murder mystery, spinning an ever more complex plot through a play in a cemetery and a compelling courtroom drama that keeps you turning the pages and guessing until the very end -- Louise Fein, author of PEOPLE LIKE US
On the charge of writing a gripping courtroom mystery with a compelling protagonist, the jury finds Guy Morpuss guilty... A wholly satisfying whodunnit -- David Jackson, author of THE RULE
Guy Morpuss has the uncanny ability to take his unique blend of savagery and wit to the jugular and very much the heart at the same time. I don't even like legal thrillers and I couldn't put this down -- Matt Wesolowski, author of SIX STORIES
A terrific legal thriller, easily one of the most satisfyingly accurate I've read in some time -- Tariq Ashkanani, author of THE MIDNIGHT KING
Witty, clever and fun... I hope to read more of Charles Konig -- Kate Griffin, author of KITTY PECK AND THE MUSIC HALL MURDERS
Guy Morpuss ensnares the reader with this meticulously woven legal mystery that builds to a sensational climax -- Eve Smith, author of THE WAITING ROOMS
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
Criminally good. A modern day Rumpole with a razor sharp edge -- Victoria Dowd, author of THE SUPPER CLUB MURDERS
A fantastic novel, full of flair and so easy to read that by the time you realise it, fifty pages or more have been gobbled up -- G.D. Wright, author of AFTER THE STORM
Layer upon layer of legal intrigue here in a wickedly clever tale... I can only hope we see more of Charles Koning KC -- Robert Rutherford, author of SEVEN DAYS
I loved A Trial in Three Acts... I hope this isn't the last we see of Charles Konig -- Claire Wilson, author of FIVE BY FIVE
Crime, drama, history and the law - A Trial in Three Acts has it all -- Sarah Moorhead, author of THE TREATMENT
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
Smart, erudite, funny and with a killer twist. Perfect for all you courtroom addicts out there -- Dan Malakin, author of THE BOX
A riveting court thriller which kept me guessing till the end. Expertly crafted -- Adam Simcox, author of THE DYING SQUAD
A brilliantly constructed, utterly convincing and wholly engaging mystery -- Simon Van Der Velde, author of THE SILENT BROTHER



Book Information
ISBN 9781800819009
Author Guy Morpuss
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Viper
Publisher Profile Books Ltd