Malice Aforethought

Malice Aforethought is a pioneering psychological crime novel that inverts the traditional mystery structure by revealing the murderer from the outset. The story follows a seemingly respectable English doctor whose calculated plan to rid himself of his wife sets in motion a chilling exploration of guilt, ambition, and moral decay.

Rather than focusing on detection, Francis Iles builds suspense through character psychology and inevitability, tracing how small miscalculations and human weaknesses lead toward exposure and ruin. The novel’s cool, ironic tone and meticulous pacing create a deeply unsettling reading experience.

First published in 1931, Malice Aforethought is widely regarded as a cornerstone of the psychological thriller genre and a landmark work in classic crime fiction.