A retired music teacher goes out on New Years Eve to purchase a bottle of champagne to share with his wife, a yearly tradition. He never returns. Bernard Hooper is brutally murdered, killed by a knife injuries. The trial takes place at Ableford Crown Court a year later. As is devastated wife Rita points out, he will never meet his first grandchild. Three teenagers, Craig, Arron and Jamal are accused of killing an elderly music teacher. EAs the trial progresses cracks appear in the case as it is clear the evidence is not as clear cut as it first appears.
The narrative and point of views moves between all the main characters, defendants, Judge etc. each chapter focuses and tells the story from a different viewpoint/voice. The reader also learns about the backgrounds of the characters and none are particularly likeable. The boys’ lives have been shaped by social deprivation, the judge already assumes they are guilty before the trial even begins and the barristers are an eclectic set of individuals. There is lots of court room drama and tension and not surprisingly the novel gives an insight into how trials play out in the English legal system.
This is a morally compelling complex legal drama. Enjoyable to read but also shows the reader not to assume but listen to all the evidence and arguments before coming to the decision of who is guilty (or not). I enjoyed the style of writing, the pacing of the storyline was just right and kept me, as the reader, enthralled in finding out who the killer actually was. I am looking forward to reading the next novel by Fleet.
An ARC copy was provided by Netgalley UK and Picador in exchange for an honest review
