Scan barcode
katel1970's review against another edition
3.0
The main character is a terrible, self-important, despicable person, but I still appreciated the architecture of the story. I see how it would have been revolutionary in its day.
vstewart76's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
4.0
This book has quite possibly the best opening for a book ever: "It was not until several weeks after he had decided to murder his wife that Dr. Bickleigh took any active steps in the matter. Murder is a serious business. The slightest slip may be disastrous. Dr. Bickleigh had no intention of risking disaster."
Needless to say, I was hooked from page one. This wickedly clever novel was utterly delightful from start to finish; to me, it is a dark comedy incredibly well done. I sputtered with laughter more than once as Dr. Bickleigh's dastardly deeds were relayed and wondered if he was actually going to get away with them. There is no doubt that he is guilty, so the mystery is more about whether he will be held accountable for his actions. Despite the age of the novel, I found the witty writing fresh and fun, and enjoyed ever single minute of reading this classic.
I selected this as my pick for the 2019 POPSUGAR Ultimate Reading Challenge prompt "a book you think should be turned into a movie." When I checked IMDB to see if it had been adapted, I surprised to see that it had been adapted for tv but never a movie. I think this would be such a fun film and would love to see it on the big screen.
Needless to say, I was hooked from page one. This wickedly clever novel was utterly delightful from start to finish; to me, it is a dark comedy incredibly well done. I sputtered with laughter more than once as Dr. Bickleigh's dastardly deeds were relayed and wondered if he was actually going to get away with them. There is no doubt that he is guilty, so the mystery is more about whether he will be held accountable for his actions. Despite the age of the novel, I found the witty writing fresh and fun, and enjoyed ever single minute of reading this classic.
I selected this as my pick for the 2019 POPSUGAR Ultimate Reading Challenge prompt "a book you think should be turned into a movie." When I checked IMDB to see if it had been adapted, I surprised to see that it had been adapted for tv but never a movie. I think this would be such a fun film and would love to see it on the big screen.
dansquire's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
notizhefte's review against another edition
5.0
Francis Iles, recte Anthony Berkeley Cox, lebte von 1893 bis 1971. "Vorsätzlich", so der deutsche Titel, erschien 1931 und basiert lose auf tatsächlichen Kriminalfällen.
Ein Arzt bringt seine Frau um, die ihn schikaniert (und die er in schöner Regelmäßigkeit betrügt). Wird er davonkommen?
Der nach meinem Dafürhalten brillant erzählte Roman ist spannend, obwohl man von Anfang an weiß, was passiert. Das englische Dorfleben der Zwischenkriegszeit, die bröckelnde Klassengesellschaft, die Thematisierung des 1912 erstmals wissenschaftlich beschriebenen Minderwertigkeitskomplexes - hier eines Mannes von geringer Körpergröße, der mit einer Frau Verheiratet ist, die ihn wegen seiner Herkunft verachtet, all das wird prägnant geschildert. Beziehungen zwischen Männern und Frauen werden sehr konventionell geschildert, das Buch ist insgesamt herrlich altmodisch.
Immer wieder ein Lesegenuß!
Ein Arzt bringt seine Frau um, die ihn schikaniert (und die er in schöner Regelmäßigkeit betrügt). Wird er davonkommen?
Der nach meinem Dafürhalten brillant erzählte Roman ist spannend, obwohl man von Anfang an weiß, was passiert. Das englische Dorfleben der Zwischenkriegszeit, die bröckelnde Klassengesellschaft, die Thematisierung des 1912 erstmals wissenschaftlich beschriebenen Minderwertigkeitskomplexes - hier eines Mannes von geringer Körpergröße, der mit einer Frau Verheiratet ist, die ihn wegen seiner Herkunft verachtet, all das wird prägnant geschildert. Beziehungen zwischen Männern und Frauen werden sehr konventionell geschildert, das Buch ist insgesamt herrlich altmodisch.
Immer wieder ein Lesegenuß!
jenn756's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this. It’s a light read and against the protocols of 1930s detective fiction you’re introduced to the murderer on the very first page. Edmund Bickleigh is a rather stereotype fictional murderer – very much of his time – short, bullied by an overbearing wife, with a strong inferiority complex and a liking for other women. It is how murderers were supposed to be in those days, inspired I think by Crippen.
The other stereotype too is that Bickleigh is a Doctor – handy for all those medicines lying about, so convenient for a Doctor to kill people. Nonetheless it’s an engaging book – Francis Iles is good at portraying small village society and pithy character summaries. He is quite witty in a deadpan way. And Bickleigh’s wife is awful, she deserved bumping off.
It would make a good play – the sort that regional drama companies put on in draughty village halls, and it would give people the opportunity to dress up in those nice 1930s outfits.
The other stereotype too is that Bickleigh is a Doctor – handy for all those medicines lying about, so convenient for a Doctor to kill people. Nonetheless it’s an engaging book – Francis Iles is good at portraying small village society and pithy character summaries. He is quite witty in a deadpan way. And Bickleigh’s wife is awful, she deserved bumping off.
It would make a good play – the sort that regional drama companies put on in draughty village halls, and it would give people the opportunity to dress up in those nice 1930s outfits.
scientist_reading_world's review against another edition
3.0
you can see my full spoiler-free review here: https://youtu.be/BcR2qarDPwo
syddnixx's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5