When leading lady Alexandra Dyce is beheaded live on stage - everyone is a suspect. Defence Barrister Charles Koenig is brought on board to defend the accused, he knows it could lead to better cases. What a surprising conclusion!!

Leading lady Alexandra Dyce is murdered on stage and even though a lot of the cast have a motive, it’s her ex husband who is charged. Defence barrister Charles Konig is brought in and it becomes clear that the clues are in the play itself.

Having read previous books by this author I trust him to create unique, well crafted stories. This was another intriguing mystery with more focus on the courtroom element, which I liked. I also enjoyed the premise of this being combined with a murder in a theatre. As the author works in this field, you can tell the environment and legal aspects are factual. I was interested to gain new knowledge in this respect. However saying that, at times it felt as though I wasn’t reading a fictional novel with the excess legal elements, which hindered my enjoyment.

I found the overall story to be quite slow and although I enjoyed that the story wasn’t told traditionally and instead in mixed media, I found that I did not really enjoy the play transcripts, finding these hard to follow. Even though the storyline was clever and complex, it required full attention to decipher what was going on and I found I had to reread parts as it was easy to get lost. Overall though I appreciate the quirkiness and idea behind this and am interested to see what the author comes up with next. 2.5 - 3 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

Clever, witty and an addictive read, I thoroughly enjoyed A Trial in Three Acts by Guy Morpuss

Being a drama school graduate, when I heard the premise for this book I knew I had to read it - I mean an actress is decapitated live on stage! Now I’ve been in some crazy plays before, but nothing quite like the play in this book - Daughters of the Revolution.

It is then defence barrister Charles Konig’s job to defend the accused fellow actor and ex husband of the victim.

I loved the dynamic between Charles and lawyer Yara Ortiz and I really enjoyed reading about what actually goes on inside a court room! The author was a barrister so it’s a clear and detailed insight into the British justice system.

If you love Janice Hallett and Alex Pavesi I can guarantee you will love this. Release date is on Thursday 🎭 ⚖️

Thank you Viper for my free review copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

#ATrialinThreeActs #GuyMorpuss
#crimefiction

If you’re expecting this new offering by Guy Morpuss to screw with your head, make it spin like a scene from The Exorcist, and blow your mind to smithereens as his predecessors did, you’re going to have to adjust your expectations. ‘A Trial in Three Acts‘ is nothing at all like this author’s previous books and I think it pays to know that before you dive into it.

What is it then, you may ask? Well, a cleverly plotted courtroom drama in – you guessed it – three acts. The basics are rather simple. Actor Leo Lusk (wonder whose name inspired that one) is on trial for the murder of his ex-wife Alexandra Dyce. It’s rather safe to say that nobody quite misses Alexandra as she was a massive “word starting with a b and ending in itch’. A narcissist, a racist, a homophobe … you name it, she was it. As extremely unlikeable as she was, can anyone truly be sure that Leo killed her? It seems obvious that every single one of the cast members could have had a motive to want to get rid of her permanently as well.

Are the clues to be found in the play these characters were involved in? Hm. Maybe. The play centres around the possibility of George Washington having had an illegitimate daughter. Some parts are historical facts, some are entirely made up. Don’t worry if you’re unable to figure out what’s what, as the author is nice enough to explain it all at some point. I must admit there were certain moments where parts of the play were introduced that had me slightly baffled as to their relevance. The same goes for the American lawyer, Yara. I didn’t really understand why she was there, except to be someone Charles could bounce his thoughts off on.

I can’t ignore the fact that the first act was somewhat of a struggle for me. I completely understand the need to set the scene, so to speak, but I felt the prosecutor’s side of things dragged on a tad too long to keep me interested. Things most definitely started to pick up from the moment Charles Konig was allowed to do his thing. I didn’t really need the play to figure out if Leo was guilty of murder, or not. I rather quickly made up my mind, stuck to my theory, and felt particularly smug when it turned out I was right.

Despite that initial wee struggle, I thoroughly enjoyed ‘A Trial in Three Acts‘. It definitely showed me that there is a massive gap in the legal thriller genre that someone desperately needs to fill for readers like myself, who enjoy the back and forth between prosecution and defence. And even though Konig is quite a difficult character to get to know as he gives very little away, he grew on me along the way and I wouldn’t mind at all if he were to return for another investigation and trial. Also, death by guillotine will always get my attention!

All in all, a solid and engaging offering from Guy Morpuss. I look forward to what’s next.

Legal thriller meets cosy murder mystery. Charles Konig KC has just successfully defended a case and is looking forward to his holiday when he is persuaded to forego his holiday and take on a high profile case defending an American actor, who is accused of murdering his ex-wife. The killing having taken place during the staging of his play Daughter of the Revolution.
The story follows the course of the trial where the evidence is presented in the form of excerpts from the stage play.
Very well written and with an unexpected ending. I could hardly put it down.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

This was an interesting read that held me gripped most of the way through. I did feel I lost focus in the latter part with the level of legal content and the repeated dialogue from the play. Overall it made for a good whodunnit an i would definitely read more if there were new ones in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early copy of this book.

DNF @ 20%. It's very clear that Guy Morpuss has an extensive knowledge of the law and the minutia of how a murder case goes through the courts and ultimately, gets answers. Unfortunately, in this book, I found it worked against him. I picked this one up thinking that it was going to be closer to a Janice Hallett multi-media situation (it wasn't, I'm not sure where I got that idea from) but it felt like a real slog having to read dozens of pages about the intricate way a stage set works (and this comes from someone who loves and actively works in the theatre). I wasn''t particularly intrigued or thrilled the further on that I read. So, I'm going to hold my hands up in surrender and say that this one just was not for me.

2.5 stars

I had heard so many good things about this book that I knew I had to get a copy, even though I've never read any of his books before. But sadly it didn't live up to my expectations.

It takes a lot of brain work, a lot of concentration. Particularly in the opening 10%, there's a lot of historical names thrown around, historical and current, so I almost needed a notepad to keep up.

I am definitely on the fence with this. I think the concept was very good, it was so detailed with such depth, so many layers. But I found it very confusing and hard to read. Whilst I'm aware I said the depth was a positive thing, it's also one of the drawbacks. It's so involved that at times I was really struggling to keep up with it.

It flits between current narrative, articles, text messages, and website copy. It might be a formatting thing on my copy, but there's wasn't much definition between the styles, and so you're reading it and then all of a sudden you realise you're actually reading a newspaper article and you have to go back to the beginning to make sure you're reading it in the right light.

I believe Guy has legal experience himself which gives an added extra to the courtroom scenes. Yes there's artistic licence but generally it feels real. Which is to its credit. But on the flip side, there is a lot of legal detail and it tends to get bogged down in that.

None of the characters endeared themself to me, there's so many of them but they had no real...character to them. They were quite flat, quite pantomime.

It started off strongly, but I'd say by about a quarter of the way through it lost its way, not really knowing what it was. It was a mashup of formats and confusion and didn't seem to have much direction.

Overall, it had promise, it was a great concept, with thorough detail throughout. But it didn't live up to what I had read. It felt clumsy, too detailed at times, a bit all over the place, and by the end it felt like a book I had to just get through.

A Trial in Three Acts by barrister Guy Morpuss KC blends courtroom drama with a Christie-esque locked room murder mystery.

Six nights a week, the smash-hit play Daughter of the Revolution performs to a sold-out audience – until one fateful evening when the leading lady is beheaded live on stage. Each cast member has a motive, but it's her ex-husband who stands accused. Enter defence barrister Charles Konig, a staunch traditionalist with a sharp legal mind, determined to uncover the truth.

The novel unfolds primarily in the courtroom, but we also follow the characters to the play’s unusual venue – a chapel – while mixed-media elements, including excerpts from legal gossip blog Cicero’s Law and Charles’ amusing attempts to get his letters published in The Times, add variety to the narrative.

I was particularly drawn in by the murder itself, especially the mystery surrounding the guillotine – how it was adapted and used was fascinating. The dynamic between Charles and Yara was also a highlight, bringing some charm to the story.

While I don't think this was quite for me, I do think this will really appeal to fans of theatre and historical fiction, particularly those who love Hamilton. The rich backstory surrounding figures like George Washington and Lady Dunmore adds depth for readers who enjoy that kind of detail. If you like your crime fiction with a theatrical flair, this is worth checking out!

An enjoyable whodunnit! When an actress is murdered on stage, everyone is a suspect. Brought in to defend the accused, Charles Konig and his assistant Yara find themselves caught up in the intrigue.

Interspersed with scenes from the play, it was interesting to follow the court case and see how both the defence and the prosecution work. I enjoyed it and would read a sequel, as I liked the main characters and how they interacted with each other.

Fun and clever, this one's sure to be a hit. One of the most enjoyable legal thrillers I've ever read!

This is the first book I've read by Guy Morpuss, and it's my favourite genre, cosy crime/murder mystery/whodunit! I particularly liked the courtroom scenes and the interaction between the prosecution and defence. The inclusion of the letters to The Times gave the book an additional time structure. The addition of the script mostly helped with the trial narrative. There were definite Janice Hallett vibes.
It took me a while to get into the story even though the number of characters was very manageable, but once I did, I romped through, particularly the second half of the book. As usual, I didn't guess who did it!!

Well this book was a whole lot of fun. Combining two of my favourite things - a good, old fashioned murder mystery and the theatre - Guy Morpuss has brought us all a legal thriller with a difference. Yes this is, if taken at face value, a courtroom drama, an attempt by one very clever and skilled, if initially reluctant Barrister, Charles Konig, to prove the innocence of his client - at least in the eyes of the law. It is also a foray into the theatre world, in particular the life and times of former husband and wife duo, Leo Lusk and Alexandra Dyce. The victim? Why, Ms Dyce. The accused, Mr Lusk. The murder weapon? Well that is where it gets interesting and where our dear author, had me well and truly hooked.

The victim in this sorry tale was murdered in full view of an entire audience of people, killed by one of the props in the play. The question is less of the what, more the exact how and the why of the case, although given all that is revealed about the victim and those around her, the why is perhaps less in question too. The suspected motive is one of the oldest of them all - greed. But nothing is ever as simple as it seems and Guy Morpuss has done a brilliant job of muddying the waters when it comes to this particular victim. She wasn't portrayed as the most likeable of personalities, and whilst there is never an excuse for murder, it was fairly easy to understand why people may have been tempted to exact a kind of vengeance against her. And I am using the word people deliberately there as whilst the police may have honed in on a single suspect, Konig is very adept at ensuring the potential motives of all of the key played in this case are made very clear for all to see.

I love how the author has used his own personal experience to inform this story. Because of this the story oozes authenticity, even if scenes and circumstances have been amplified and exaggerated for dramatic effect. This is not like a dramatic American Legal drama, and the gaps between the two cultures are heavily emphasised when looking at the solicitor who has engaged Konig's services. frustrated by the lack of action, and objection, in the more staid courts of the UK, Yara Ortiz is a character almost too large for the courtroom to contain and I really liked her. Liked her spirit, liked her determination, and liked how she was a perfect counter for Konig. I'd more than happily read about both of them again. The author has really sold them to me. Made me invested in their ability to win a case, even if I wasn't entirely engaged by the people they were representing.

There is a strangely intriguing scientific element to this story too, about whether or not DNA manipulation, or a person's genetic make up would be responsible when someone acts out of character, or even used as a defence against an accusation of murder. Not so much an insanity plea as my genes made me do it. This stretches the bounds of possibility more than a touch, but lends itself to the case perfectly, brining a touch of humour to proceedings. Extremely tenuous links indeed, but enough to make you think, if just for a second. What do you say to a man who says 'George Washington made me do it ...'? Whether the defence works ... well you'll have to read the book to find out.

Fun, fresh, with brilliant characters, a twisted storyline that rides along the edges of the darkside and enough misdirection to keep you confounded to the very end, I loved this. Definitely recommended.

This book had me from page one. It is a joy to read and I loved every minute of it. A leading lady beheaded on a stage, her husband the prime suspect. This is a very entertaining read, a cosy mystery with a bit of oomph. Barrister Charles and American lawyer Yara come together to try and solve the crime and they work really well together.

The characters in this book are what make it and they are all different, quirky and even a bit of fun! The writing and the storytelling is wonderful and I found it fun, exciting, quirky, entertaining and a very enjoyable book to read. I want more now!

Thank you NetGalley and Serpent's Tail / Viper / Profile Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Trial by three acts by Guy Morpuss is a quirky murder/mystery courtroom drama.
When Alexandra Dyce is beheaded on stage of a play by guillotine in Act three, her ex-husband movie legend Leo Lusk who is also acting in the play becomes the main suspect of her murder.
I thank the publisher for a copy of Guy Morpuss’ latest novel. I found this to be an interesting whodunnit. With its original storyline due to the way it was written. The courtroom is set and with the jurors are talked through what happened in the play. I find though there was quite a lot of history of went on through the book, which at times I felt it made the story kind of slow. Some of which I found it to be a bit farfetched, but it added to the quirkiness of it. This is a kind of book that you must be full invested to get the whole gist of the story. 3.5 stars from me.

Unfortunately this was a dnf for me,

However I do know there are so many people who would love this book, it just wasn't for me
This book gives the readers a chance to get involved and try and solve the mystery themselves
The trial elements of the story were enjoyable in this book
The way the book is written will definitely appeal to others

Hollywood star Leo Lusk is on trial for murdering his ex-wife. Charles Konig, the leading barrister in the country is engaged to defend him. Konig has his work cut out for him as Lusk refuses to deny he carried out the murder which took place in front of a theatre audience.

I love murder mysteries. I love legal thrillers. Combine the two and I'm salivating. Throw in a little bit of historical information and you have a surefire winner for me. A Trial In Three Acts by Guy Morpuss offers all three of these. With an effortless writing style, engaging characters, touches of humour and a plot line that is at once utterly ridiculous and in another moment almost plausible you have a thriller that will keep you turning the pages.

Leo Lusk, movie star, has spent the past year in London starring in a play alongside his ex-wife, Alexandra Dyce. Following an acrimonious divorce, Dyce managed to turn the couple's daughter against her father and Lusk had hoped that the three of them working together on the production would allow him to rekindle some father-daughter bonds. Unfortunately, Dyce has continued to pour poison into her daughter's ear. When she is gruesomely murdered in full view of the audience suspicion immediately falls on Lusk.

Working alongside Konig in defense of Lusk is an American attorney, Yara Ortiz. The interactions between Ortiz and Konig highlight how different the legal systems are in America and the UK. The author has managed to write a story that flows easily and is immensely readable, avoiding all the boring stuffiness that takes place in the British court system.

I found the book impossible to put this down. The pace never let up and there was lots of misdirection. I had figured out the "who" very early on but was completely in the dark regarding the "how" until the big reveal. Let's hope that we see more of Charles Konig, KC, in the future.

Review - A Trial in Three Acts - Guy Morpuss

This was an ARC provided by @netgalley @viper.books

I requested this title based on a comment ‘if you like Janice Hallett you’ll like this’ and I definitely get the comparison.

The book follows the trial of a Hollywood A lister who had starred in a stage production with his ex wife in which she was murdered, lots of the cast, including their daughter, have motive to murder but whodunnit??

The story of the play is utilised as a plot device throughout the story and for me this is where the comparison of Janice Hallett is drawn. Clearly meticulously researched it really added to the story.

The barrister (silk) Charles and American lawyer Yara team up on the case and some capers ensue.

The story kept me engaged and wanting to know the outcome (I did guess at about the 2/3 point of the book), the interwoven story of the play was really interesting…BUT I felt a fair bit of mansplaining from most of the male characters and the romance fell flat.

It was a good January quick read and fans of whoddunits should give it a whirl.

An enjoyable murder-mystery told as a courtroom drama. The author draws heavily on his own knowledge as a lawyer to do a good job of infusing criminal proceedings with humour and creates a sympathetic protagonist in Charles Konig, a leading criminal barrister turned sleuth who tries to find the truth behind the murder of a famous actress. The mystery is deftly handled although some suspension of disbelief may be required for some aspects of the plot.

I enjoyed the storytelling and the underlying humour although for the most part the characters were largely undeveloped. There were some interesting glances towards contemporary social problems and the psychology of parental alienation as well as a sub-plot of historical interest. Some of the writing felt like padding especially the "Letters to The Times" interspersed throughout. The burgeoning relationship between Yara and Charles was neatly done and enjoyable if a touch predictable.

Overall a quick and engaging read.

Rating: 2.3/5

I had been looking forward to reading "A Trial in Three Acts", but all too frequently it failed to live up to my hopes and expectations. In fact, there were times when I found it annoyingly frustrating.

There are some very positive aspects to this novel. The plot is clever (perhaps a little too much so, at times). The central protagonist, Charles Konig, has a number of endearing qualities, which could potentially lead to him having a series built around him, rather than just appearing in a one-off outing. It is a pity, therefore, that the overall impact is spoiled by the excessive inclusion of procedural legal elements that is likely to alienate members of the reading audience who do not have significant knowledge and / or interest in this professional field. These sections may well be legally accurate, but they do not make for enjoyable fictional drama. The same is true of the lengthy extracts from the historical play that are incorporated into the narrative. These sections may well be quite clever and contain some key elements that are essential to the plot progression and ultimate resolution, but they are unnecessarily protracted to the point of becoming an unhelpful and dull distraction.

Ultimately, this is a novel that is intriguing at times, but is prevented from achieving its potential by being dull and protracted at others.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.