Customer Reviews

Plain Murder

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C.S. Forester I knew only for the "African Queen'. I've only recently read the Hornblower Saga and was searching for his other novels when I purchased this. This is more of an adventure story than a murder mystery as the reader knows from the beginning who the murderer is and follows the events to their somewhat predictable end. The characters are fairly well drawn and the pace of the book never slows Forester almost pulls off the feat of making one believe that an advertising clerk would became a serial killer over a small amount of money and to protect his job. As each murder is successful the murderer becomes more arrogant and daring, which leads to his downfall.
This book was worth reading but it seems that Mr. Forester needed a solid historical perspective and character to produce his greatest works such as the Hornblower series, great despite the endless use of annoying and incomprehensible nautical terms. This book 'Plain Murder' like several of Forester's other works is a bit too imaginative and unrealistic. They're also extremely bleak and pessimistic. Mr. Forester has a dim view of humanity. You can believe that the events could have happened but are comfortable believing that they never occurred.