The Heirs of Owain Glyndŵr

Ben Schroeder #4

by Peter Murphy

1 July 1969. The Investiture of the new Prince of Wales.

When Arianwen Hughes is arrested driving with a home-made bomb near Caernarfon Castle, her case seems hopeless. Her brother Caradog, her husband Trevor, and their friend Dafydd are implicated in the plot, the evidence against them damning. Ben Schroeder's reputation as a barrister is riding high after the cases of Billy Cottage (A Matter for the Jury) and Sir James Digby (And is there Honey Still for Tea?). But defending Arianwen will be his greatest challenge yet. Trevor may hold the only key to her defence, but he is nowhere to be found. . .

Genres: Crime, Fiction, Historical Fiction

416 pages, Paperback

Published August 25, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Peter Murphy was born in 1946. After graduating from Cambridge University he spent a career in the law, as an advocate and teacher, both in England and the United States. His legal work included a number of years in The Hague as defence counsel at the Yugoslavian War Crimes Tribunal. He returned to England in 2007 on his appointment as a judge of the Crown Court. He lives with his wife, Chris, in Cambridgeshire.

Reviews

[Gordon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting ideas dragged out into a really long courtroom drama and legal investigation, interspersed with some evasively narrated flashbacks, this extremely slow book really wasn't my thing. I ended up skimming to find the plot resolution.

[Lisa Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book as it is set in North Wales where I used to live. And I found as I read it that that significantly biased my view of it. However my opinion did become a little more balanced as the book came to its conclusion. The story is about a foiled plot to blow up Caernarfon Castle in 1969 during the Investiture of Prince Charles. I instantly fell in love with it as it referred to streets and buildings I knew, included some of the welsh language and I could easily picture where it was all set. I understood the authors’ explanation of the Welsh people and their passion for their heritage as I’d experienced it myself. I was also amazed at his accuracy even down to the dialogue, how perfectly he captured the unique way the Welsh speak English. It did leave me wondering however that had I not had this connection then would I have enjoyed the book so much. And sadly my conclusion was no. Peter Murphy writes from the criminals’ point of view, giving some background to the story and then later when the case gets to court he includes a lot of this history into the lawyers questioning and so it feels very repetitive and therefore a little boring. Very early on I got the feeling there was a shock coming and I actually predicted it. And so it felt like I was just waiting for the shock to be revealed and the court, so to speak to catch up to what I as a reader already knew. I also had to keep reminding myself that the book is set in 1969/70 as the dialogue and characters very much reflect this. I am sure court is not like this now! There was also an attempt at some romance, which personally I didn’t connect with. It began well and grabbed my attention very quickly. I felt that familiar fiction addiction earlier on than I normally would. I was similarly very happy with the way it ended and felt it finished on the right note in the right place with all my questions answered. It is part of a series of 3 other books that follow one of the main characters, a lawyer in the story and I would be interested to read the others in the series.
I did enjoy the book and I am sure the Welsh people would approve of it too. It was interesting to read about their feelings towards the Investiture and other events from their perspective.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought provoking book that is really easy to read and enjoy. This book is about a terrorist plot in Wales and the reasons why the perpetrators do what they did and the consequences, I have never considered Welsh Nationalism before and I enjoyed learning about this part of our history. The characters were well developed and I came to care about them, they drew you in. I enjoyed the plot, although I could not sympathise with what they did, I was sad to leave the characters behind.

I would thoroughly recommend this book, it is not my usual genre but as the book went on I found myself thinking about the characters and the time and events involved and wanting to find out more. I was not disappointed by the ending.
This would make a good book club read as there are so many issues to think about. I did not see the twist coming, which was well handled and I thoroughly enjoyed. I love reading books that have great characters and I learn about something new, this book did both for me.

[Stuart Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately got bogged down in the middle section with some tiresome court word for word and repetition without adding anything to the story. I felt it could have lost 50 pages or so and been a better book.
First half was good and last 25% got my attention enough to finish.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this - I haven't read any of the others, but picked this one up for its Welsh interest. It's a legal/courtroom drama (there are a lot of lawyers, and although one apparently gives his name to the series I wouldn't say he was the central character). The events mainly take place in 1969/1970 with some back story during the 1960s, and while it is a bit overtly didactic in places it would give anyone who didn't know the background a fairly good picture of Welsh nationalism in the 1960s, given inspiration by the failure to prevent the flooding of Capel Celyn, the peaceful protests about linguistic rights and the events surrounding the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon. There's also a look at the more violent, minority fringe groups, and the distinction is made fairly clear. There are two elements to this story which may have been inspired by later events too - one is too much of a spoiler to give away, the other (choosing my words carefully here) reflects words allegedly said by a policeman to a suspect in a different Welsh case. The case involves a (fictional) bomb plot, so of course we know from the start that it was not successful. On the whole, a pretty accurate picture, although I am sure the IRA man would not have referred to "the Queen"!

[Margaret B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed the author’s earlier books in the series, but initially I was close to giving up on this one. I felt that too much of the author’s research into Welsh history and politics was showing in the first part of the book (from his afterword, it’s clear that he found some fantastic sources which he probably wanted to make the most of). But I persevered, and ended up becoming completely gripped. The court scenes and the descriptions of how the barristers interact with each other are particularly good (if you like that sort of thing!). And I was completely surprised by the main plot “twist” (which, without giving anything away, has perhaps become more relevant in some recent criminal trials than it was then). So not my favourite Peter Murphy book to date but well worth reading.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enojyed this very much, particularly the way it was told from multiple points of view. The only thing that didn't really grab me was Ben Schroeder himself - maybe he gets some characterisation in the previous books, which I haven't read, but here he just seemed like a stock lawyer to me, all the colour went to the other characters. I also found there were so many other lawyers I really couldn't remember which was which!

[Mark Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but dragged at times

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.

[Meinwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow but enjoyed

[Brett Oaten · Rating 3 out of 5]

The slowest of the books I think. Really only got going at the end. I still an interested in these characters but this had less of that.

[Peter R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Formulaic

I found this somewhat dull and repetitive as though the author was running out of ideas. Probably will not read any more in this series.

[Northern Light · Rating 4 out of 5]

July 1st 1969 and the Investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales provides the backdrop to this story. It starts in the court room and then goes back to show the reader how we got there.

In 1961 Trevor Hughes takes over a bookshop in Caernarfon which is well known for its Nationalist leanings. He soon gets to know Arianwen, her brother Caradog and their friend Dafydd and joins them against the 'English' government. Just how far are they prepared to go and are they all equally committed?

Although book four in the series its very much a stand alone novel with only a brief mention of a previous storyline.

This book has many facets, friendship and loyalty, national pride, a courtroom drama and some Welsh history so should appeal to a wide audience.

I have visited the area and found the descriptions very accurate and made the story come to life and the inclusion of some Welsh added to the authenticity of the story.

I particularly liked the developing relationsip between Trevor and Arianwen which blossoms with serious consequences which have a huge impact on the way things develop.

Howver this is supposedy a series of stories about the barrister Ben Schroeder and it didn't feel like that at all. He seemed only to be there because the story results in a court case and not a central character but that in no way detracts from the story at all.

The way the story develops and changes direction towards the end of the book took me by complete syrprise although it did answer a niggling question I'd had before that.

Some of the scenes where Caradog refuses to speak English and gets a translator are very funny and add to the sense of frustration felt by him. The anguish of Arianwen leaps off there page at times and as a reader you really feel for her plight which she is powerless to change

A good easy read which I can recommend

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a courtroom drama concerning the trial of alleged Welsh Nationalists who had attempted to plant a bomb in Caernarfon Castle to disrupt the Investiture of The Prince of Wales in 1969. It features Ben Schroeder and colleagues/adversaries. The narrative is well paced and in addition to the courtroom scenes, action takes place in Caernarfon where we meet the defendants and learn a little of their histories and how they came to be in their current situation.
There are three defendants in the dock; Caradog Prys-Jones, Dafydd Prosser and Arianwen Hughes who is Caradog's sister. A fourth who is allegedly involved, Trevor Hughes, Arianwen's husband has disappeared and is still at large despite the best efforts of the authorities involved. The trial progresses and the verdicts pronounced.
The 'twist' which follows was well sign-posted, but the plot remained sufficiently interesting for that not to matter too much. Not having read any previous novels featuring the legal characters, I did feel that I was missing a lot of 'back story' that may have helped my understanding of the underlying rivalries in this one. The information about the Welsh Nationalist movements and the flooding of the Tryweryn Valley was interesting but a minor description early in the book made me wonder how accurate all the facts were. The prosecution case stated that at the time of her arrest, Arianwen had her son ''strapped in his car seat in the back of her car''. I don't remember cars having rear seat belts in 1969 and child car seats certainly weren't available, but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
I found the book an excellent holiday read and may well read more from this author.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A court room based book on fictional events leading up to the investiture of Prince Charles becoming the Prince of Wales.

Arianwen Hughes, her brother Caradog her husband Trevor and a friend Dafydd are implicated in the plot to place a bomb in Caernafon Castle.

Ben Schroeder is representing Arianwen trying to get to the truth of the case.

Her husband Trevor has vanished & with him the key to her defence…

This is told in both present time during the trial in 1970 and flashbacks to the events leading up to the incident in July 1969.

A well researched and thought out book. If you like court room based novels then this is an excellent read. You feel sympathetic towards the characters, especially Arianwen who appears to have been drawn into the case against her will.

I have never read any by this author before but understand that this is just the latest of his novels featuring Bed Schroeder and the cases he is involved in, so if you enjoy this book then look for his other novels as well.

Would recommend.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprized me! With its amount of political history, courtroom drama and rather repetitive nature I actually found myself quite engrossed and wanting to read more.

The main story of the novel concerns a plot to disrupt the investiture of the Prince Of Wales in 1969 and centres around a small group of people; brother, sister, husband and friend. The book is well written and explores the way ideals can become inflated and turn extreme as a result of anger and disillusionment. The courtroom scenes while being repetitive in their very nature actually became quite compelling and I found myself caring somewhat about the characters.

The only thing I would have appreciated would be a little glossary of pronunciation of Welsh names – as it was I kept changing my mind as to how they would possibly sound! All in all I would recommend this book and being the first novel I have read by Peter Murphy I must admit I wouldn’t be averse to reading his other titles.

[Christi Poulsom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't normally pick up a legal novel, but this one intrigued me as it is based in Caernarfon, which I am very familiar with. Pleased I did, as there was a huge section actually set in the town. I enjoyed that part best, but the courtroom sections were interesting too, although the law characters were not very well developed. I understand that this is the fourth book in a series, so perhaps you would identify with the barristers more if you'd read the previous books.
I'm guessing most people would see the surprise [towards the end] coming a mile off; only surprise was that surely this would have come out in court? Never mind poor Hari.
I also got a little fed up with the legal technicalities, which seemed repetitive, as was being told how special Arianwen was. The historical aspects of the investiture was interesting; I'd never thought of the alternative view that some locals held. However there were also some not very 60's things in there - don't remember car seats for kids when I was little - but these are minor quibbles.