PARRICIDE is a gripping Courtroom drama set in Ancient Rome. Sextus Roscius the Elder is murdered on the streets of Rome. His son is accused of the crime, which amounts to the most serious offence of Parricide in Roman Law. It carries a horrible, and terrifying punishment. The fascinating political background to the trial is explored in detail, as is Cicero's journey through Rome and Italy, trying to discover the truth behind the murder. The reader is taken through the whole trial, from the opening speeches, the dramatic cross-examination of the witnesses, through to the verdicts and the surprising aftermath. The novel is based on the published speech of the famous orator and lawyer, Marcus Tullius Cicero which he made over two thousand years ago, in his first ever murder trial.
Qualified as a Barrister (Advocate) in 1979. Practised as a Criminal Barrister ever since. Awarded Queen's Counsel (Silk) in 2010. Continues to conduct serious criminal work in the Courts including the Old Bailey in London.
Interests include reading; none fiction (mainly history from Ancient to modern times) and fiction (historical fiction, crime and other thrillers).
Passionate interest in history has resulted in writing and publishing four historical novels on Amazon. Two are based on the history of the Spartans, "The Myth of Sparta" and the Return of the Spartans". One deals with the first ever murder trial of the famous Roman orator, Cicero, called "Parricide". The most recentis "the Trial of Admiral Byng" dealing with the siege of Minorca in 1756, Admiral Byng's sea battle of the shore and his subsequent court-martial. Also published two novels about a Queen's Counsel's conduct of murder trials, called, "the Silk Brief" and "the Silk Head"
Currently working on a sequel to, "the Silk Head".
Parricide is the vividly imagined story of Cicero’s first murder trial, the famous lawyer, orator and writer’s defense of a man accused of murdering his father. Based no doubt on his experience, knowledge and instincts as a trial lawyer, author Queen’s Counsel John Burton has crafted an exciting and credible story of murder, political intrigue and trial proceedings based on Cicero’s published opening statement in the actual case. A fascinating blend of history and criminal trial fiction, neither genre gets much better than this: most highly recommended.