Crow Court

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Well, 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!

If you’re appealing a conviction, representatives from the prosecution will present the case against you. This will not always happen if you appeal against a sentence. If you do not get permission to appeal The witness gives evidence and answers questions from the witness box. Young or vulnerable witnesses can give evidence by video link from somewhere else or from behind a screen. Assistance for the witness Suspicion falls on four different people - so, yes, it IS a murder mystery - and there are certainly cleverly-plotted twists in it. But it transcends the mystery genre, partly because the writing is so good, partly because it's historically-based, partly because of the relationships involved - and partly, I suspect, because the author grew up in rural Dorset, and is pitch-perfect in dialogue. Set in the small Dorset town of Wimborne, the story unfolds over 20 years starting in 1840 with the murder of a choirmaster. If you’re looking for a conventional whodunnit, you won’t find it here. Crow Court is less about finding the solution to the murder of Matthew Ellis, Wimborne’s choirmaster, than the consequences of the event over the months and years that follow. In fact, although the reader knows that a murder has occurred, the rest of the locals don’t. They just know the choirmaster has disappeared. Since he was known locally as ‘Buggermaster’ and was thought to have caused the suicide of a choir boy, not many people are that bothered by his disappearance. However rumours are the currency of a small village and because of their actions or their connection to the choirmaster, four men come under suspicion. I find any story with gallows featuring very hard to stomach and the ending is far from what anyone inclined to like things neatly wrapped up and served on a platter of Happiness and Justice, will be satisfied with. Deprived of timely fictional retribution withstanding, the ending is as it should be and most fitting given the title.If ever you encounter a dead crow, make sure to leave the area as soon as possible and avoid seeing any crows. I've read it on ThePigeonhole and I must admit I've hesitated before signing up to it. I was rather worried it was going to be just another historical novel. But let me tell you that Crow Court is definitely not 'just another historical novel', but a fascinating and unusual read! A delight! I've been so enthrall that every single day I've stayed up until midnight to read the next episode. I just couldn't get enough of it and wished it was longer. We've also been regaled with pictures and noted explaining some of the real events/historical details behind the stories and also insight into the author's writing/research process. I hope this is also available in the final version of the book as they really add a lot to the narrative. Debut novels shouldn't be this perfectly formed. Its subject is historic, yet its exploration of morality feels utterly modern. A rarity in historical fiction: it truly places you in the here and now of a world once removed. Crow Court already looks, feels and smells like a classic' - Ben Myers, author of The Gallows Pole and The Offing

When a choirboy drowns in Wimbourne, nobody has any idea of the chain of events that his death will lead to. But the whispers begin and we get to see various stories of local characters who are linked with the tragedy and how the gossip affects them and their behaviour.This was a real labour of love and a huge research project spanning a decade or more for author Andy Charman. I know this because I was fortunate enough to be reading the book alongside other readers on the Pigeonhole platform and Mr Charman provided extremely fascinating additional notes on the history of the time and the meaning behind a crow court, where members of a group surround their own and metre out their own punishment.

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 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. Charman is less interested in unravelling a mystery and more concerned with the consequences that ripple out from the original violence . . . Skilful' Sunday Times In general, crows gather together and form a circle to judge the crow in question and come up with a decision. There are many characters in this story, only a few of them I can honestly say made an impact for me. Others were there and while they did have their roles I didn't feel any connection to them. There are, however, some good descriptions of the characters and I did like the use of the dialect for the more manual workers, and this was something that I enjoyed a lot.I love reading books with a local slant – I don’t know if it’s just me, but I get a real buzz when I am able to recognise where the characters are as I read along. 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 Resentment and anger at Matthew Ellis begins to seethe in the town. Things worsen when it becomes clear that Ellis has not only been cruel and bad-tempered with his boys, but has been abusing them in the vilest manner imaginable. When a group of men decide to take things into their own hands, and Ellis disappears, the consequences are far reaching.

Louisa and Samuel's wedding goes off as planned, but Henry Cuff - who was due to sing a solo - is nowhere to be found. As the happy couple are basking in the love of well-wishers after the ceremony, a townsman interrupts the festivities with the terrible news that Henry Cuff's body has been found in the river.

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If you apply later you’ll need to explain why you could not send your application in on time. You may get an extension. Inventive, original and deeply moving. There is a warmth and humanity, an acceptance of the vagaries and challenges of life' - Alice Jolly, author of Mary Anne Sate, Imbecile