These birds, apparently, treat bad crows extremely differently and unfairly compared to their friends. While this situation may seem like a whole murder of crows mourning the death of their companion, that is not really the case. One of the interesting features of the book is the way the author plays with different narrative styles. A good example is in the chapter, ‘The Third Person’. Divided into three parts, the first is written in the second person, the second in the first person and the final part – you guessed it – in the third person. And some of the stories, such as ‘Art’s Last Laugh’, feature Dorset dialect. (There’s a helpful glossary at the end of the book for those who don’t know a gawk hammer from a doughbeaked cowheart.)

A judge will look at your application and decide whether to give you permission. If you get permission to appealI thought each episode of this book was beautifully written and structured – it was clear how each piece of the puzzle fit together, and yet any of these stories could stand up on its own. Just finished this book. Which is really hard to write about, without giving some of the clever plot away - but I want to, while it's still in my head! The structure of this fascinating novel is worth examining. It is, in effect, fourteen short stories, cleverly written so that they stand alone - indeed, three of the episodes have been published separately - but are linked to a central event, in this case the disappearance of Matthew Ellis. I am struggling for a suitable metaphor; ripples in water spreading out from a central disturbance, maybe? The trouble with that one is that literal ripples weaken the further they spread, and in this case, with the time span being twenty years or more, the 'ripples' don't weaken - they become stronger and more deadly.

Probation officers will help the court by providing risk assessments, advice on sentencing and bail, or presenting breaches. The officer may interview the defendant and present relevant information about them, along with a proposal to help decisions of the court. The judge As I mentioned, this novel features many characters which span several years. There were times where I was slightly Confused and unsure on how certain chapters related to the original plot. However, there would be the odd subtle mention or a character that I recognised which kept me very intrigued as I just wanted to know what really happened to the choirmaster! There were also a couple of chapters that I was really fascinated by, in particular the vicar talking to his atheist nephew and the one with the little boy doing everything he can to imitate his hero: Lord Nelson. It was chapters like these which highlight how Charman has a talent for suspense and dialogue. A lot of the chapters had the detail and character development of short stories which I also enjoyed.We begin in the peaceful Dorset town of Wimborne in the spring of 1840. Just a few months earlier, in the Chapel Royal of St. James's Palace, London, Queen Victoria had marred Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg. Louisa Chilcott and Samuel Portman are also due to be married, in the equally beautiful Wimborne Minster, but the joy of their day is short-lived.

If you are wondering why you should try to avoid a place with a dead crow, it is because the whole murder might think you are responsible for it. But given that this was not the aim of the book, others rightly will read the same novel and not be bothered by this. So why should you read Crow Court? Over fourteen intricate, interconnected chapters Charman's clever, elegantly constructed, utterly convincing debut paints an intimate picture of a community wondering about the killer in their midst, as the wider world slowly transforms an old way of life' - Daily Mail A couple of other things I'd like to mention. (No spoilers, I promise. I hate spoilers, esp. in mysteries!!!) The jury is made up of 12 members of the public. They listen to the evidence presented to them during the trial. They then decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty of the offence. The court clerkWell, if you have witness a murder of crows trying to kill or punish another crow, that is just their way of punishing their member according to their jury! It is an odd feeling to know that you are reading an exceptional debut, yet know that for me it didn’t quite sit right. I can’t emphasis enough that Crow Court by Andy Charman is a clever and beautifully written, but it left me wanting more! Firstly I will illustrate why I felt I needed something further and then, because this was a very personal reaction to the novel, layout the reasons you should still read it. The group of crows may just disperse and let the bad crow live or they will try to kill the bird by hitting the head and the body continuously. The defence lawyer will speak on behalf of the defendant and present the case to say why they’re not guilty of the offence. They’ll ask the witnesses and the defendant questions about the accusations. The defence lawyer sometimes wears a wig and gown. Sometimes a defendant will represent themselves. The prosecutor

The judge oversees the trial and makes sure everyone involved is given the opportunity to present their case fairly. At the end of the trial the judge will explain the law and summarise the facts of the case for the jury. If the jury decides that the defendant is guilty, the judge will consider an appropriate sentence. The judge wears a wig and gown. The juryThe setting of Wimborne Minster attracted me to this book when it was suggested to me on Goodreads. Having been born there, my parents were married in the Minster and as a baby, I was christened there and have subsequently been able to visit the chained library. The book is the first novel by Andy Charman and is published by Unfound a crowdfunded publisher. A good effort and to be encouraged.