We liked the way the author builds character and reveals the backstory. We had to look up the introduction story (an elephant's hanging) to assure ourselves of its reality. It took awhile to realize the importance of this tale to the "real" story of the school teacher accused of her father's murder. We found the story that intrigued us the most was how the journalists swayed public opinion and were not at all concerned with truth or accuracy.(spoiler alert! Some were disappointed that we never know if she really did the murder.)