This text provides a readable, comprehensive and accessible introduction to criminal law, supported by features throughout to help the student appreciate the key themes and major legal authorities within this area. Compact yet sufficiently comprehensive to support undergraduate study of this subject, and written in a fresh, lucid style.

'Palgrave Law Masters Series has an excellent reputation for providing fantastic introductory texts. The fifth edition of Criminal Law by Jonathan Herring continues in that vein by providing an excellent introductory text on criminal law. Criminal Law is separated into five parts: basic principles of criminal liability; offences against the person; offences against property; defences and participation in crime. Each chapter adopts a similar approach by providing small manageable sections followed by hot topics, summaries, case notes and further reading.  These extract sections (over and above the commentary) are excellent features. Jonathan Herring has, impressively, ensured the material remains clear and easy to read.  By doing so, he allows the reader to quickly understand the important parts of an offence which the prosecution needs to prove.  The reader can then turn to the defences part to consider potential arguments for the defence.  Fortunately, the case notes (where appropriate) explain the finer issues which are commonly overlooked in introductory texts. Criminal Law is another excellent text from the Palgrave Law Masters series.  It is extremely readable for any reader.  It also provides excellent value for money and allows the reader to quickly understand the basic principles of criminal law whilst being alerted to the wider issues' 
- Student Law Journal; Review of 5th edition

PART I: BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINAL LIABILITY
Introduction to Criminal Law
Procedures and Structures of Criminal Law
The External Elements
Causation
The Mental Element
Corporate Crime and Strict Liability
PART II: OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON
Assaults
Sexual Offences
Murder
Manslaughter
PART III: OFFENCES AGAINST PROPERTY
Theft
Offences Connected to Theft
Deception Offences
Other Offences Against Property
PART IV: DEFENCES
Denial of Elements of Offences
General Defences
PART V: PARTICIPATION IN CRIME
Accessories
Inchoate Offences

JONATHON HERRING is Fellow in Law at Exeter College, Oxford, UK. He is a qualified solicitor, and has also taught at both New Hall and Selwyn College, Cambridge, and Christ Church Oxford.