Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

So so good. I love a true crime book. But they’re not all created equal. This one is a cracker, and there’s much here to keep your interest. Recommended.

September 1973 and Wendy Sewell is found seriously injured in a graveyard in the small town of Bakewell. Stephen Downing, a young groundskeeper, runs to get help. Sadly Wendy dies and Stephen finds himself under suspicion for her murder. Arrested and left alone in a room for several hours with no legal representation, Stephen also has learning difficulties and it takes him a while to understand the seriousness of the situation he’s in. His ordeal then turns into a nightmare as he’s charged and ultimately convicted of Wendy’s murder. Stephen seems destined to spend his life in prison, despite protesting his innocence. Then, over 20 years later, Stephen’s father gets in touch with local newspaper reporter, Don Hale, and asks him to look into the case. What Don finds is disturbing. Sightings of other people seen in the area were not followed up, the timeline of Stephen’s movements was muddled and didn’t make sense and witnesses were threatened and terrified to talk even 20 years later. Gradually, with a lot of leg work and digging, Stephen was finally released from prison.

This is a non fiction book but it’s as much a story of persistence and doggedness in the face of adversity. Stephen Downing may well have got early release if he’d said he murdered Wendy as his behaviour in prison was exemplary, but he refused to admit to a crime he didn’t commit. This book really shows how if you are sent to prison for a crime you didn’t commit, the odds really are stacked against you. Don Hale is reporter through and through and you can’t fault his commitment to the facts. It’s a book that would serve as a guide to anyone wanting to go into journalism. Hale follows down leads and refuses to take no for an answer despite the town closing ranks and there even being sinister threats against his own life.

This is a really interesting read and miles away from any sensational true crime cash in books floating around. Hale has a real personal connection to his subject and it shines through in the writing. Absorbing and certainly well worth reading.

I received a ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair review.

A really engrossing read of a terrible murder and a wrongful conviction. It's a very sad case of injustice for both the victim and Stephen Downing.

Fascinating account of a murder and subsequent miscarriage of justice. The author has clearly worked tirelessly to get justice for Stephen Downing, in difficult - and often dangerous - circumstances. I found that sometimes the details about possible suspects and the sequence of events got a bit muddled, and I also felt that the murder victim, Wendy Sewell, got forgotten sometimes. There were some possible new suspects mentioned in the last few pages that I would have been interested to hear more about, but they were mentioned almost as an afterthought. A gripping read.