Carol S. (waucondacarol) reviewed The 12:30 from Croydon (aka Willful and Premeditated) (Inspector French, Bk 11) on + 319 more book reviews
An unusual plot for the 1934 original publication. The novel is written from the murderer's point and includes his reasonings, his conscience, his plotting, his actions, and finally his trial. It is the depression and factory owner Charles Swinburn has two major thoughts on his mind. To win the hand of Una in marriage and to get money to get out of debt before his business has to close in which case he will surely lose Una's interest. Charles knows that he and his cousin will inherit from their rich uncle Andrew Crother and the old man is just not dying fast enough. So Charles decides to help the old man on to a quick death which unfortunately for Charles happens on the 12:30 flight to France. Inspector French of Scotland Yard has the last two chapters of the novel to detail how he came to suspect Charles and arrest him after another murder in the Crother household. A very good read.
Ron K. (WhidbeyIslander) -
A little too long, but kept my interest. If you are expecting a mystery along the line of Christie's "Death In The Clouds," it might disappoint. The death does occur on a cross-channel flight, but 90% of the book recounts how the murderer plans and carries out the murder. You go along with him on his scheme, and feel what he feels as he first thinks he is going to get away with it, then live with him through his trial up until the verdict. The last chapters tell how Inspector French came to suspect the killer and how he put his case together (and explains some points both you and the killer were wondering about.) It's a well constructed tale for those into police procedurals.
