I'm a Bookworm

I hadn’t bought a book in a while and decided to go to WHSmith and find something worth reading. I am an avid fan of crime novels, such as Agatha Christie’s or John Le Carre’s. I came across the title ‘Murder at Road Hill House’ and was instantly intrigued. A new author I hadn’t heard of! The back cover claimed it to be the original detective stroy so I decided to give it a go.

Unfortunately, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher is not a crime novel. It is a crime documentary in book form. Although interesting, I was disappointed as soon as I realised this truth and this disappointment tinged the rest of the book. It just wasn’t as satisfying or thrilling as a silly, made up crime novel. Everything was too factual and dry. The good points were that the book gives a real insight into how detectives came about during the 19th century and how the nation was seized by detective frenzy. I found this particularly interesting as I love the Victorians and finding out about another side of their society was fascinating.

What was so shocking about the Road Hill Murder is that it took place inside a family home. Most crimes were kept to the streets and when at home, they were often kept out of the press and dealt with tactfully. In this case however, the press and the whole nation got involved in the case. The Kent family was exposed from Master to servant. Their relationships, sleeping arrangements, history were all delved into and exposed to the nation. This shift in boundaries, this making the private public was what fascinated peoplem, as much as the murder itself. I would recommend this book if you want to find out how the role of detective was born and what Victorians thought of them. But if you want an exciting whodunit, look elsewhere.