Carol S. (waucondacarol) reviewed on 3/17/2017 + 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.

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