レビュー

• Very well written.

• The Colour of Murder is an intriguing crime story set in 1950s England. It is rich in period detail that will bring back memories to older readers who lived through those years, but which may seem very strange to younger readers who must wonder how people lived without the technological devices we take for granted these days. The plot and characterisation are outstanding. This is partly because of the way the author has presented the story. In the first half of the novel we eavesdrop on a number of discussions relating to a psychiatric assessment of John Wilkins who is accused of murder. We don't know who has been murdered until the end of the first half of the novel. The second half of the story concerns his trial as we observe the unfolding of the court case. Finally there is a dramatic twist in the plot in the epilogue. So while I rate this story five stars overall I realise some readers may find it a little slow and repetitive in places, but what makes this story well worth reading for me is the strength and unique structure of its plot, the atmospheric descriptions of the era and the depth of characterisation.

• This is the second Julian Symons' novels that I have read. I have to admit that prior to seeing them on Netgalley, I hadn't heard of him. Although these books have a certain similarity in style to those of the golden age of murder mysteries, they are quite different too. They are written and set later, in the post-war era of the 1950s, but this is still 'old-fashioned' enough to us today to seem similar to the earlier books. The story itself is told in two halves, with the first being the lead up to the murder, told by the accused, as he shares his story to a psychologist. The second half takes place in court, with the cases for the defence and prosecution. This means that it's slightly different to the usual classic puzzle types of murder mysteries, although there is still a question over who done it and why. Overall, I really enjoyed this. Partly because it's a well-written look at both life in the late '50s in England, partly because of the way that the court scene is portrayed and partly because of the story itself. It's a little different to many other books of its genre and I suspect when it first came out it would have been something very new. This might be my first two Symons' novels, but I'd certainly been keen to look out for some more. They are well written, engaging and a glimpse at an earlier time as well as being good examples of the mystery genre.

• a mystery written by an excellent writer who presents interesting characters and a fine plot.

• Writer and critic Julian Symons is on good form with The Colour of Murder. It is crisply written, full of pace and drama, and offers any number of insights into the world of post-war Britain. Gloomy, supressed lives, seedy pubs and hotels, the secret aspirations and frustrations of everyday life - all form a great backdrop to this murder mystery with a twist. At times, it's very similar in style and content to the fine crime novels that CS Forester wrote at the start of his career. But, Symons seems to wander off track towards the end with an unlikely twist to things that doesn't quite work. Certainly engaging enough, and no doubt quite revolutionary when it first appeared.

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