This is a fascinating and forensic re-examination of the famous if not notorious Craig/Bentley trial and execution of perhaps a far more innocent party in Derek Bentley. Trow has gathered more evidence to update his previous book on the case and uncovers an horrific story of policemen changing and agreeing their evidence with each other, an appalling judge who became the prosecutions's best witness and the feelings of the time which were that perhaps retribution was required for the killing of a police officer and if the actual murderer was too young to hang then joint enterprise could ensure that his accomplice who probably never shouted those immortal if now made up words "let him have it, Chris" should be the sacrificial lamb.

The feelings and nuances of the time are brilliantly captured by the author and this is an important, angry and opinionated book that is a difficult but essential read.