There are a whole bunch of British Library Crime Classics from 1936, and I have quite a few of them on my shelves. Which to choose? Murder in Piccadilly, The Sussex Downs Murder, and The Santa Klaus Murder were options, but I chose Thirteen Guests because I’ve enjoyed other J. Jefferson Farjeon novels.
It starts really promisingly. A jovial young man arrives at a country station, and leaps from the carriage – in so doing, he injures himself quite badly, because the train was in motion. A witty young woman takes pity on him – John and Nadine, for such are their names, at a delightful pair. Farjeon is great at fun dialogue that doesn’t feel forced, and I’d have loved a rom-com where they overcome their obstacles – e.g. Nadine is very funny about the fact that she is ten years older than John. That’s not what this novel is, of course.
John is persuaded to take shelter at a house where Nadine is staying – and he is the thirteenth guest. That means that, as well as the hosts, there are 13 more characters. Among them are a famous painter, a famous actress, a man who manufactures sausages, a gossip columnist, a trashy novelist, an MP… goodness, there are so many of them.
And guess what guys? The first body that turns up is NONE of them!
I won’t write too much about this one because I’m going to put it in the ‘disappointment’ pile of British Library Crime Classics – because the writing is so good at the start, and I was so into the world he created. And I suppose the writing continues to be good, but before long I stopped noticing that because I was so confused. There are SO many characters, and the police who get involved – while very amusing – are the sort who like to list timings and places and variables over and over.
Anyway, if you have a mind for this sorts of complex detective novels than I do, then you might well love it. Perhaps very slow reading with a notebook and pen would be rewarding? But, for me, I’m afraid this one left me still have no idea who, what, why, where, or when even when I turned the final page.
Yes, I’m totally with you on this. Great set-up, but everything seems to fall apart in the execution. I read this a couple of years ago at Christmas, and the fact that I can remember virtually nothing about it (other than the above) must be a reflection of its quality. A rare disappointment in an excellent series of books…
V glad it wasn’t just me!
I completely agree with JacquiWine, I had such hopes for this one and it was utterly forgettable.
I wasn’t sure about posting, but it has helped to know I’m not alone in my response!
As I was born in 1936 I was thrilled to happen on your blog also I am partially sighted and this book is on audible so thank you for the review which has inspired me to download Thirteen Guests. Looking forward to it.
Oh, hello Bridget, nice to see you on here!!
Hello! Not sure how many of these I will be able to get on audio but probably more than I can manage to listen to. Good to see you here.
Simon’s an old friend of mine via the LibraryThing Virago Group – he reviews some excellent books so well worth following!
Hope you enjoy!
Oh interesting! Yes, there *are* stacks of BLCCs from 1936 and I was tempted myself – particularly by this one which I think I own and which I think I haven’t read! I get what you say about the amount of characters; a crime novel really can suffer if there are too many potential suspects to deal with, particularly as if they aren’t well delineated. Sorry one of your 1936 reads wasn’t a success… ;D
Yes, can’t have 100% success for every club!
I haven’t got this one, but I have read The Sussex Downs Murder and I have to say I found it equally disappointing. All to do with very precise timings, and virtually no character development.
I know that people love some of the British Library Crime Classics (and I do love their covers) but so far I haven’t happened upon any that I felt very positive about. I’ll keep trying!
I do have The Z Murders by J Jefferson Farjeon (1932), I wonder if that’s any better than this one?
Ah yes, I have heard the Budes aren’t the best – which is odd, given he was among the first they did. I haven’t read The Z Murders, but do have it. Alan Melville definitely my favourite of their authors I’ve tried.
I actually liked this one, but I understand about the plethora of characters. I am glad to see that they are printing a bunch of mysteries by women lately. I feel as if I enjoy the older mysteries by women more, maybe because they pay more attention to character development.
Yes, I’ve noticed that they’ve been adding more women!
Ha, but it lead to your delightful review! Pity it wasn’t better–and the cover is so stylish, too…
Thanks Reese :D Yes, they never do badly with their covers.
A while ago I started to keep a spread sheet of the BL crime classics organized by year of publication. As you say there are a few from 1936, and so far I haven’t really loved any of them even when they’re by writers I’ve previously really liked, but all the titles from the 1950’s which isn’t a decade I thought interested me much have been great. No idea why that should be. I remember this vaguely as okay but not brilliant.
Ooo that is an interesting fact…
Oh dear, I have this in the TBR but I don’t think I’ll be moving it to the top any time soon… what a shame!
Yeah, you might have better luck than me, but I think there are better places to start
That’s a shame – I haven’t read anything by J. Jefferson Farjeon yet, but when I do I’ll start with one of his others. I’m often disappointed by detective novels that concentrate too much on things like timetables and alibis.
Mystery in White was definitely good fun!
Shame… if you can’t find out who done it, then why write a crime novel, even if you write beautifully?
Right??
This does sound a shame – I find crime novels confusing as I don’t read many so I don’t know the tropes!
Ah yes, there are definitely many of those!
I would still give this one a try if I found it for a low price, but I won’t go seeking it out. I do still want to read Mystery in White by Farjeon because of the Christmas setting and starts on a train. I have not read a lot of British Library Crime Classics, although we have a good number on the shelves, but I have heard that they are variable in quality.