The Heirs of Owain Glyndwr (4) (Ben Schroeder) Paperback – May 1, 2017

Too long winded for first half

The year is 1969. A small group of Welsh nationalists have built a bomb planned to explode in Carnarvon castle just as Queen Elizabeth presents Prince Charles to the Welsh people as Prince of Wales. However, as one conspirator arrives at the castle with the bomb the police surround the car and arrest him. The plan has gone awry. Worse, one of the conspirators, Trevor, is missing and Trevor’s small son is in the car. Trevor’s wife, Arianwen, who is driving the car, insists she knows nothing about the conspiracy or Trevor’s whereabouts.The first part of the book introduces the reader to the conspirators and their conspiracy and induces a sense of empathy with their cause.. The rest of the book covers the preparations for the trial of Arianwen and two of the conspirators, along with the trial itself. Permeating the judicial wrangling are the questions: Where is Trevor? Did Arianwen know about the conspiracy or is she as innocent as she claims? Is her agony at being separated from her small son genuine or just a play to elicit sympathy?This is the fourth book in the ‘Ben Schroeder’ series by Peter Murphy. It explores the deeply held feelings of the Cymru (Welsh) people and their desire to be free of the oppressive British rule. It also captures the vast chasm between a deeply-held desire for independence and an abhorrence of violence.Mainly, however, it is a courtroom drama, full of nuances between colleagues and opponents and subtly presented, legally correct innuendo. The basic premise of the book is profound and carried to a strong and satisfying conclusion with masterful characterization and dialog.I found this book engrossing. Not only was it a pleasure to read, it presented a relevant and timely theme within an absorbing tale.

This is a novel which works on so many levels. It is a worthy addition to the Ben Schroeder Series; it stands up as a great crime and court story in its own right and it gives insight into the recent stirrings of Welsh Nationalism. It has ticked the box of my favourite novel of 2019 so far and although there is melodrama it generally keeps its feet on the ground through skillful writing and reliance on inside knowledge of procedural law. Towards the end I was unable to "put it down" until it's conclusion. Well done Mr Murphy!

An excellent mix of Welsh culture, the motivations for terrorism, and British legal argument. This story moves along well and is well researched. The fictional story is inserted well into accurate history raising matters of principle worth considering. Grisham uses american legal process and fiction to comment on issues or injustice within the US. Peter Murphy is doing the same for UK readers through the development of the career of Ben Schroeder, his fictional barrister. I have read Schroeder 1-4, and enjoyed them all, but this is the only one I've reviewed so far. I strongly recommend this series to anyone interested in either the working of the London Bar or current affairs or both.

I’m so pleased to have found this writer. He has created gripping legal stories with engaging characters. Not just gripping but also full of interesting information about the law and how cases are carried out. Setting the series in the 1960s and 70s reminds one how social attitudes have changed and forensic science blossomed. The present book is a page turner combining a real event with a fictitious crime that could have been true.

This is the first book by this author I've read so I'm coming into the series perhaps a bit late. I have spent many happy hours in some of the locations in Caernarfon - especially the "Black Boy" pub ... and been in the castle a few times so that was interesting background. I liked the main plot line, although the court procedures were a bit long winded and really there was nothing endear me to any of the characters. Some reviewers have commented on the "shock" twist in the plot. It really wasn't even a surprise. If that sounds a bit negative, it isn't. I read the book to the end and enjoyed reading it but I'm not sure I would be too bothered about reading any more in the series.

I do enjoy portions of each book in this series but find that Peter can't help but include pages and pages of background which I find drag when they are not actually required to support the main story.