Reviews for Crippen: A Novel

The average rating for Crippen: A Novel based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2018-06-18 00:00:00 Brian Hinman 4.5 Stars. Oh Boy.....CRIPPEN is a dam good murder-mystery and another great read off my list from John Boyne. I really should just leave it at that, but I can't! What is the real truth here? And who was this Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen? (I see a work of non-fiction in my near future.) The story begins with Hawley as a young man leaving home to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor, but with zero dollars from his unsupportive parents, the going gets tough and fabrications result as we meet lots....and lots....of quirky characters on land and at sea aboard the SS Montrose......and all before we even get to the meat of Hawley's life. As we travel from Belgium to Canada in 1910, we discover all passengers are not what they seem....and what a cast it is! Mrs. Drake....the upper class snob and ultimate pain in the ass speaks whatever insult comes to her nasty mind....snooty daughter Victoria desperately awaiting her inheritance...and freedom...is out to nail herself a man....and tries with a big inviting kiss, hahaha, and the irritable, but observant Captain Kendall plays an important role aboard his ship....as does the defiant, and horny, young Tom who makes a big discovery. Ok.....back to CRIPPEN. At first, I actually felt sorry for him, educating himself through correspondence courses, living in a sparse cellar, working side jobs...one in an abattoir (ICK!) to stay afloat....AND OMGOSH his wives......they humiliate and treat him like dirt, degrade and deem him useless publicly, and one is such a nasty vicious hag that, well....you'll see! So many busy-bodies here that set out to cause trouble....and do! "Some men are simply not supposed to take wives at all." But....ole Hawley is not an innocent here....not by a long shot! In some ways, he's actually a wimp, and in others....let's just say you wouldn't want to have him for a Doctor or Dentist. Yikes! CRIPPEN really is a most entertaining read with shockers (did I mention lots and lots of characters) great storytelling and, of course, a murder to solve, but again.....just what is the truth here? Interesting facts about the real case in Author's Notes....but I want more!

Review # 2 was written on 2018-09-02 00:00:00 Rodolphe Gautier This is a novel to burrow into and one for the Autumn / Winter list. My 10th Novel by John Boyne and I really do find that this author has a talent for creating memorable characters and bringing history to live. Pure entertainment and great stroytelling. Each of his novels are uniquely different, engaging and enthralling and I love picking up a John Boyne Novel as you never really know where his books are going to take you. I didn't even read the blurb of this novel and was presently surprised when finishing to realise that this was (loosely) based on true events and I really enjoyed my google search to find photos of the people involved. "July 1910 The Grisly remains of Cora Crippen, music hall singer and wife of Dr Hawley Crippen are discovered in the cellar of 39 Hilldrop Crescent, Camden. But the Doctor and his mistress Ethel Le Neve have vanished much to the frustration of Scotland Yard and the outrage of horrified London John Boyne is all about the character development and while many of the characters are dislikable they are certainly memorable and vivid. This Novel is quite long at 500 pages and yet it is beautifully paced and the slow release of the story keeps the reader engaged and in suspense right up until the end. The book moves beautifully from one location and one time frame to another without confusing the reader. I really enjoyed this one, its an old fashioned style thriller/ historical novel based on an actuary case in history.