The Colour of Murder - British Library Crime Classics by Julian Symons Paperback

About the Book

"John Wilkins meets a beautiful, irresistible girl, and his world is turned upside down. Looking at his wife, and thinking of the girl, everything turns red before his eyes--the colour of murder. But did he really commit the heinous crime he was accused of? Told innovatively in two parts: the psychiatric assessment of Wilkins and the trial for suspected murder on the Brighton seafront, Symons' award-winning mystery tantalizes the reader with glimpses of the elusive truth and makes a daring exploration of the nature of justice itself."-- Page [4] of cover.

Book Synopsis

'A book to delight every puzzle-suspense enthusiast'--New York Times

A suspenseful precursor to modern psychological thrillers, this classic work of crime fiction from the archives of the British Library brings the Golden Age of Murder back to life.

John Wilkins meets a beautiful, irresistible girl, and his world is turned upside down. Looking at his wife, and thinking of the girl, everything turns red before his eyes--the colour of murder.

But did he really commit the heinous crime he was accused of? Told innovatively in two parts: the psychiatric assessment of Wilkins and the trial for suspected murder on the Brighton seafront, Symons' award-winning mystery tantalizes the reader with glimpses of the elusive truth and makes a daring exploration of the nature of justice itself.

Review Quotes

...Symons, whose love/hate relationship with the tropes of the classic British mystery continued throughout his long career. This time, he achieves perhaps his most successful melding of sociological analysis, golden-age whodunit tropes, and darkly satirical sendups of the very conventions he relies on to structure this unexpectedly moving tale of a deeply ordinary man all too easily moved. This perfect choice for Poisoned Pen's British Library Crime Classics series wears its 60 years with surprising lightness.-- "Kirkus Reviews"

A book to delight every puzzle-suspense enthusiast-- "New York Times"

Symons neatly balances a sympathetic portrayal of the unlikable John with a classic whodunit.-- "Publishers Weekly"

The latest reissue in the British Library's Crime Classics series comes from a writer long acknowledged as a trailblazer in psychological suspense...Symons keeps readers on their toes with his unreliable narrator and numerous misdirections, but he amply rewards us with a story that makes us think. A very welcome reissue. (starred review)--Connie Fletcher "Booklist"

About the Author

JULIAN SYMONS (1912-1994) was a notable writer of British crime fiction from the 1950s until his death, publishing more than thirty novels. He served as President of the prestigious Detection Club, won two Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America, and is well known as the author of Bloody Murder, a classic history of crime fiction.