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Portrait of a Murderer

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About this listen

Adrian Gray was born in May 1862 and met his death through violence, at the hands of one of his own children, at Christmas, 1931.

Thus begins a classic crime novel published in 1933, a riveting portrait of the psychology of a murderer.

Each December, Adrian Gray invites his extended family to stay at his lonely house, King's Poplars. None of Gray's six surviving children is fond of him; several have cause to wish him dead. The family gathers on Christmas Eve - and by the following morning, their wish has been granted.

This fascinating and unusual audiobook tells the story of what happened that dark Christmas night - and what the murderer did next.

©1934 Lucy Malleson (P)2017 Soundings Classics Crime Crime Fiction Murder Christmas Fiction Winter Exciting Suspense
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This started off in quite a long winded fashion - I almost returned the title. However, after the thing that happened, it became quite an interesting and in-depth story of greed, jealously and family life. Would definitely recommend but just give it some time

Bit long winded to start - but I persevered

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This book was spoiled right from the beginning by the narrator speaking so fast, I was unable to keep up with him.
I could not concentrate, hence spoiling the story for me, even when I adjusted the speed.

Narrator spoils the story

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This novel is outstanding by any measure and is fully rewarding. The British Library and Audible are to be thanked for making this novel available to us. The first thing to say is the characters are believable and they are shown in their fullness. This makes the context of the murder involved, and the unravelling of the mystery quite compelling. Anne Meredith is a pen-name. The author, Lucy Malleson, was engaged in real works that brought her into contact the poor, suffering and the difficulty of women maintaining or finding work after the World War One and the Depression of 1929. She understood things so well and this is why this novel has a realism that makes it quick and alive. The contrast this affords with the Gray family at the heart of this novel is so well effected. The structure of the novel is so different, and having set the scene we know who done-it, it is then wonderfully followed through, so that you are carried along with the plot and its musings; not being an impassive spectator. This is a satisfying novel and I would recommend this novel to anyone. It is such a pity that this prolific author using various pen-names is not better represented and available. My Performance reservation rests soley on the speed of the performance which is so quick that it is means that you can miss things as it moves along.

A Truly Outstanding Novel

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