Murder in the Graveyard: A Brutal Murder. A Wrongful Conviction. A 27-Year Fight for Justice.

by Don Hale

‘An Extraordinary story of innocence and persecution, determination and grit … it had me rattling through the pages’ SOPHIE DRAPER

A gripping true crime investigation into the longest miscarriage of justice in British legal history.

In September 1973, Stephen Downing was convicted and indefinitely sentenced for the murder of Wendy Sewell, a young legal secretary in the town of Bakewell in the Peak District. Wendy was attacked in broad daylight in Bakewell Cemetery. Stephen Downing, the 17-year-old groundskeeper with learning difficulties and a reading age of 11, was the primary suspect. He was immediately arrested, questioned for nine hours, without a solicitor present, and pressured into signing a confession full of words he did not understand.

21 years later, local newspaper editor Don Hale was thrust into the case. Determined to take it to appeal, as he investigated the details, he found himself inextricably linked to the narrative. He faced obstacles at every turn, and suffered several attempts on his life. All of this merely strengthened his why should anyone threaten him if Downing had committed the crime?

In 2002, Stephen Downing was finally acquitted, having served 27 years in prison.

Immerse yourself in this masterful account of Hale’s long, dedicated and often dangerous campaign to rescue a long-forgotten victim of the British legal system; the longest miscarriage of justice in British history.

The typewritten letters in this ebook are set in a sans-serif font to make it easier to distinguish between the different types of content in the book. It may not be possible to change the font for these pieces of text.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, History, Audiobook, British Literature

345 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 13, 2019

Reviews

[Alice-Elizabeth (Prolific Reader Alice) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Murder In The Graveyard at my local library's true crime section. A section that I've visited before and often stopped to read the blurb of this book. Only now have I finally read it... the real-life murder case of a young woman in England's 1970s, the story of the convicted as well as the struggle for answers to many questions. This is a brutal read that was shocking and interesting to read.

[Christine · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing is good, but my personal taste does not like the fact Hale is so centered in the narrative. I know why he is, and while I don't think it is intentional, the book feels like "me, me, me". I think Hale should applauded, but the style is not one I like.

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a tragic and heartbreaking story. The book is very detailed, so much so that it seems to get a bit repetitive. But it is a story that needs to be told.

[Cressida McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating account of a murder and subsequent miscarriage of justice. The author has clearly worked tirelessly to get justice for Stephen Downing, in difficult - and often dangerous - circumstances. I found that sometimes the details about possible suspects and the sequence of events got a bit muddled, and I also felt that the murder victim, Wendy Sewell, got forgotten sometimes. There were some possible new suspects mentioned in the last few pages that I would have been interested to hear more about, but they were mentioned almost as an afterthought. A gripping read.

[Christina McLain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this real life murder mystery.and the blatant and lengthy miscarriage of justice which followed to be shocking and depressing. It was hard to believe the police force in a small quiet fairly sleepy town in a fairly recent period could be so incompetent and corrupt. Sadly, as I read on, the plot became obscured by confusing facts and misleading eyewitness accounts. I had to reread several chapters as there were so many conflicting stories about what really happened between 12:50 and 1:20 pm.on the day of the murder, so many witnesses with faulty memories, so many suspects, so much apparent cover-up and secrecy and finally so much.fear. Unfortunately the author didn't always explain things clearly. He inserted himself into the story, which was fine as he did become part of the saga, but his style left a lot to be desired. There was too much detail and not enough suspense. If hardled properly this story could make a great novel or television series. But as a true crime story, it fell short.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid true crime book with the now sadly common uncovering of prosecutorial and police misconduct which leaves an innocent person in jail. Perhaps even more maddening is how the innocent person in this case continued to be jailed past his expected release date because he would not admit his guilt for a crime he would not admit too (and obviously rightly so as the book 100% proves). I only wish the book had an ending where the true killer (or killers) are found and convicted since the exercise does not feel 100% complete given there is currently just speculation and innuendo on who actual committed the crime.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book details the appalling miscarriage of justice that led to the false imprisonment of a 17year old for more than 27years. The author, being a journalist, struggles to keep the reader's attention for more than a column length and gets severely bogged down with details for which relationships are not adequately explained. Don't recommend, unless he comes out with a cliff's notes version.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book about a case I’d never of before. It was a tad repetitive though, hence the four star review.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

September 1973 and Wendy Sewell is found seriously injured in a graveyard in the small town of Bakewell. Stephen Downing, a young groundskeeper, runs to get help. Sadly Wendy dies and Stephen finds himself under suspicion for her murder. Arrested and left alone in a room for several hours with no legal representation, Stephen also has learning difficulties and it takes him a while to understand the seriousness of the situation he’s in. His ordeal then turns into a nightmare as he’s charged and ultimately convicted of Wendy’s murder. Stephen seems destined to spend his life in prison, despite protesting his innocence. Then, over 20 years later, Stephen’s father gets in touch with local newspaper reporter, Don Hale, and asks him to look into the case. What Don finds is disturbing. Sightings of other people seen in the area were not followed up, the timeline of Stephen’s movements was muddled and didn’t make sense and witnesses were threatened and terrified to talk even 20 years later. Gradually, with a lot of leg work and digging, Stephen was finally released from prison.

This is a non fiction book but it’s as much a story of persistence and doggedness in the face of adversity. Stephen Downing may well have got early release if he’d said he murdered Wendy as his behaviour in prison was exemplary, but he refused to admit to a crime he didn’t commit. This book really shows how if you are sent to prison for a crime you didn’t commit, the odds really are stacked against you. Don Hale is reporter through and through and you can’t fault his commitment to the facts. It’s a book that would serve as a guide to anyone wanting to go into journalism. Hale follows down leads and refuses to take no for an answer despite the town closing ranks and there even being sinister threats against his own life.

This is a really interesting read and miles away from any sensational true crime cash in books floating around. Hale has a real personal connection to his subject and it shines through in the writing. Absorbing and certainly well worth reading.

I received a ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair review.

[Marie Carmean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a disturbing account of a miscarriage of justice! This true story of a young man wrongly accused of murder by a lazy, corrupt police force in the UK goes through every detail of the event and the reasons over the years that the truth was buried. Seventeen-year-old Stephen Downing finds the brutally beaten and strangled body of Wendy Sewell when he returned from his lunch break to his job in a cemetery as one of the groundskeepers. She isn't dead but dies soon after. The only blood on him is on his knee where he knelt to check for her pulse. He runs for help. Twenty-seven years later he is finally exonerated by the painstakingly long investigation by a reporter, Don Hale, who, in spite of the mountain of evidence for Downing's innocence, including witnesses seeing a running man, covered in blood, due to the hard-headedness and corruption of the system of lawmakers. The fear of the people of the small town that they will be "next" if they talk causes additional problems. It is a sad state of affairs and poor Downing suffers as a result of it all. Excellent book! The case is considered the longest miscarriage of justice in UK history.

[Michael Rumney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wendy Sewell is dying in a graveyard and Derbyshire police find a convenient perpetrator in 17 year-old Stephen Downing. He is convicted of Wendy's murder and several years later, newspaper reporter Don Hale is asked by the Downing family to investigate a miscarriage of justice.
What follows could be a work of fiction as Hale comes up against a web of corruption in the police, law and prison systems. He deliberately shows how his own life is in danger as in the first chapter he includes a harrowing car chase which comes some way into the story.
It is troubling to read how slow the appeal system is and how the establishment considers there are no 'innocent' people in jail and you have to admit your guilt to be considered for parole, even if innocent.
Various politicians from both the labour and Conservative Parties don't come out well in this. Murder in the Graveyard is an uncomfortable read but at the same time important if you want justice to prevail.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had never heard of the case of Stephen Downing so I was excited to read this... but I felt like the author spent most of his time talking about the threats he received while he was investigating. I don't want to minimize what he went through but it got boring after a while. Also, I knew why he couldn't reveal the names of everyone he interviewed but calling them Mr Orange and Mr Red etc. made for a confusing tale.

[Book Grocer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchase Murder in the Graveyard here for just $10!

If you enjoy true crime this book will not disappoint. A story of a 17yo accused of a murder he did not commit, who after 27 years locked up, is finally released. A really intriguing case, filled with twists and turns and cover ups. Highly recommend.

Alicia - The Book Grocer

[Jean Weso · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read of the author's investigation into the longest miscarriage of justice in British legal history, and his belief in the innocence of Stephen Downing, when no-one shows much interest in finding out what really happened.

[Margaret Rigby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justice. A long time coming.

I remember Stephen Downing being released so this book was of I interest to me. I was not disappointed and could not put it down. It should be read by anyone interested in the British Legal system.

[Nicola Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember Stephen being released and all the media coverage surrounding it. It was a really interesting read and even more so because I live not to far away from Bakewell. A really good read, well put together. Well done

[Mike Mackley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and detailed book. Definitely worth the read. Hard to put down.

[Aura Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book focuses on the investigation of the wrongful conviction of a prisoner. It highlights the weakness of the British justice system.

[Alex Riley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cool subject but the writing was awwwful. He repeated facts and phrases 2-3 times throughout the book.

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't a big fan of how it was read i would rather it been more in a documentary style I would have learnt more about the actual murder.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and frustrating story, amazing writing

[Emma Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really interesting case, and a fascinating cover up, but maybe whipped up into a longer book than it really needed to be. It's stretched a bit thin and rehashed a few times too many in places.

[Charlie Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional feat of investigative journalism and a gripping story. Done Hale’s enormous bravery and perseverance are an inspiration.

[Sidney Lock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I have no sympathy for the murder victim.