A Trial in Three Acts by Guy Morpuss
Leo Lusk is on trial for murdering his ex-wife Alexandra Dyce by beheading her live on stage in his play ‘Daughter of the Revolution’. However, every cast member has a reason to want Alexandra dead and defence barrister Charles Koenig is tasked with proving Leo’s innocence.
A Trial in Three Acts book review & synopsis
I confess it took me a while to tune in to A Trial in Three Acts as there seemed so much going on at the start I wasn’t entirely sure where the narrative was headed. I soon realised what a clever and brilliantly plotted story this is. There’s real wit and humour here, especially through Charles Konig’s letters to The Times and in his professional relationship with John Varley.
Several narrative strands weave into a compelling, witty and intelligent story that encompasses some weighty themes (like family, coercive behaviour and racism) that all enhance the sense of fun in the novel.
Obviously we have a kind of locked room crime mystery and I thoroughly enjoyed the way the plot unfolded. Then there is the meticulously researched and creatively reimagined story of US president George Washington having an illegitimate child that is the subject of Daughter of the Revolution.
Indeed, the blending of fact and fiction throughout is masterful so that it isn’t always possible to distinguish between the two, as all manner of real people pepper the text lending a sensation of authenticity. Alongside history is a clear insight into the theatre and the legal system, along with the professional rivalries that can extend beyond these arenas.
A Trial in Three Acts feels takes inspiration from some of the greats
The way the narrative draws in literary history and tradition so skilfully is intriguing. There’s a feeling of Agatha Christie in discovering how Alexandra has been beheaded and by whom. There are echoes of the play within the play found in Hamlet as clues to the murderer are uncovered.
The theme of SoulGene reminded me of Shelley’s Frankenstein and I felt Charles Konig had more than a touch of Atticus Finch in his courtroom role.
Charles is the perfect embodiment of ‘less is more’, and by the end of A Trial in Three Acts although the reader has a sense of his humour (and his desire to trek to K2) it feels as if there is more to discover, perhaps in future cases and most certainly in his personal life.
A Trial in Three Acts is innovative, entertaining and highly amusing. I really enjoyed it.
A Trial in Three Acts by Guy Morpuss is out now (Viper, £16.99).
Read more fiction reviews by Linda Hill including Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney, A Skye Full of Stars by Sue Moorcroft, Foster’s Mill by Val Wood, All I Want For Christmas by Karen Swan, City of Silk by Glennis Virgo, Things We Lose In Waves by Lucy Ayrton and Beautiful People by Amanda Jennings.
