Every Tuesday First Chapter, First Paragraph/Intros is hosted by Vicky of I’d Rather Be at the Beach sharing the first paragraph or two of a book she’s reading or plans to read soon.
This week I’m featuring The Colour of Murder by Julian Symons, one of the books I’m currently reading. It was originally published in 1957 and is one of the British Library Crime Classics reprints. In his introduction Martin Edwards states it was one of the most acclaimed British crime novels of the 1950s. It focuses on the psychological make-up of man accused of murder.
John Wilkins’s Statement to Dr. Max Andreadis, Consulting Psychiatrist
It all began one day in April when I went round to change a library book. At least, that is the time when it seemed to me to begin, though I know you people trace things a lot farther back, and I’d like to say that I don’t believe in all that. Whatever a man does, he’s got to take responsibility for his own actions, that’s what I believe. I don’t see how the world can run any other way. I have to say that, even though I know it may be against me.
Blurb (Amazon)
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.
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I haven’t read anything by Symons before, but I’m enjoying this one so far.
What do you think? Would you keep reading?
Love the intro and the cover. These British Crime novels are usually good.
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Oh I like the beginning! And love the cover too.
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So glad to see you doing a Symons, Margaret. Some of his work is excellent. This one has an interesting premise, and it sounds like an intriguing puzzle. I’ll be keen to know what you think of it.
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I like the beginning that you shared. Hope it is a good one for you, Margaret!
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I love the British Library Crime Classics, both for the stories and the covers. I picked up a few the last time I was in London, and then a few more here in New York.
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Sounds fascinating! I also love the cover. Thanks for sharing, and here’s mine: ”SHE LIES IN WAIT”
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I love old murder stories. And it started in a library, it can only be good, lol. Mine is here: https://francebooktours.com/2019/02/05/first-chapter-first-paragraph-the-first-noel-at-the-villa-des-violettes/
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It’s so lovey that they are reprinting these classic crime novels and yes, this does sound like one I’d enjoy.
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Sounds good and I love the cover.
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I’ve heard this one is good, I hope you’ll enjoy reading it! I’m curious. 🙂
Here’s my Tuesday post!
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It has a great cover and the story sounds interesting. See what MK is featuring at Girl Who Reads
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