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A review by briarfairchild
The 12:30 from Croydon by Freeman Wills Crofts
3.0
This was fine, but I prefer others of Crofts's books I've read. The first part's good, where you watch Charles doing his thing. He's quite an interesting character; very self-obsessed and determined to have his own happiness. For example, we know almost nothing about his 'beloved' Una except that she's sure she'll only be happy marrying a rich man. He thinks this is the only obstacle to his marrying her even though it's clear to the reader that while she thinks he's fine, she's not in the least in love with him and not at all interested in marrying him. He clearly isn't interested in her happiness; only his own. Other than his determination to have an nice life, Charles seems very average - he's moderately intelligent; an okay businessman; fairly well liked. We don't really get to know any of the other characters well, even through his eyes, which bears out his self-absorbedness and also means he really does have to carry the whole story, which he does pretty well.
The last few chapters are interesting too, where French explains how he deduced the murder and gathered his evidence. But the middle third or so is frankly dire. I skimmed most of it. It's a description of the trial and the problem is that it gives us almost no new information. We already know what's happened because we watched Charles reason it all out and do it all. Plus, it's really boringly done; there are no interesting character moments, unless you count Charles being really stressed. I'd have much preferred the second half to be a more detailed and dynamic narrative of French solving the case.
The last few chapters are interesting too, where French explains how he deduced the murder and gathered his evidence. But the middle third or so is frankly dire. I skimmed most of it. It's a description of the trial and the problem is that it gives us almost no new information. We already know what's happened because we watched Charles reason it all out and do it all. Plus, it's really boringly done; there are no interesting character moments, unless you count Charles being really stressed. I'd have much preferred the second half to be a more detailed and dynamic narrative of French solving the case.