Crucial Evidence

I don’t spend a lot of time looking at the reviews for Crucial Evidence or for Trial and Errors but this one is very recent — the end of last year.

On Trials and Errors the reviewer says:-

Reality and fallibility of the British legal system

This is a tantalising taster of Margaret Barnes’ novel ‘Crucial Evidence’, its way prepared by reminiscences of our flawed legal system during the author’s career as a barrister. The writing style is wry, often humorous – and peppered with some frustration and flashes of anger at the idiosyncrasies of those in an exalted position who are out of touch with the lives of those they judge and yet wield power over the accused and their dependents’ lives. Looking forward to reading the full manuscript

He must have gone on to read Crucial Evidence because this was the comments he made about the book.

Margaret Barnes has used her experience of the British legal system to produce an unusually absorbing narrative. While there is no soaring arc of villainy versus innocence, the trial of a naive young man for a murder he did not commit is both emotionally and intellectually stretching. The economy of the writing still allows empathy with the characters, and the insight into law practice in Britain leads to some uncomfortable recognition. Looking forward to more from this adept and informed writer.

Crucial Evidence is available on Amazon for £1.98 for Kindle and £1.88 for the paperback.