The 12.30 from Croydon
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3.5 • 2 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
Mystery crime fiction written in the Golden Age of Murder
"The degree of suspense Crofts achieves by showing the growing obsession and planning is worthy of Hitchcock." —Booklist STARRED review
We begin with a body. Andrew Crowther, a wealthy retired manufacturer, is found dead in his seat on the 12.30 flight from Croydon to Paris. Rather less orthodox is the ensuing flashback in which we live with the killer at every stage, from the first thoughts of murder to the strains and stresses of living with its execution. Seen from the criminal's perspective, a mild-mannered Inspector by the name of French is simply another character who needs to be dealt with.
This is an unconventional yet gripping story of intrigue, betrayal, obsession, justification and self-delusion. And will the killer get away with it?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The title of this worthy golden age mystery from Crofts (1879 1957), originally published in 1934, refers to an early morning plane flight from Croydon, England, to Paris. When cantankerous retired businessman Andrew Crowther suddenly dies aboard the flight, the official verdict is suicide. Crowther's ambitious nephew, Charles Swinburn, is relieved that his uncle's inheritance will save him from ruin. Charles sets about keeping the family company afloat and winning the love of his life, Una. When evidence of foul play emerges, everyone with a link to Crowther becomes a suspect in his death. Unusually, most of the story is told in third person from the killer's perspective. Even though readers know that the perpetrator should and must come to justice, they will find themselves eagerly anticipating his next devious move. The time spent following the rationalizations of the criminal's mind makes up for the long-winded exposition in the final chapters of this British Library Crime classic.
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