Andrew Garve (1908–2001)

Competent thriller goes on a little too long. A criminal with an ego the size of Britain and three accomplices rob a movie theater and end up holed up in a lighthouse off the coast with a storm brewing. Despite the claustrophobic situation, Garve still doesn't give a lot of depth to his characters, who, in addition to the four criminals, include three lighthouse keepers. We do learn a lot about lighthouses, however, and the lighthouse emerges as the most interesting character of all.

Things show more happen, and the reader's interest is held as the situation deteriorates, but the story generates no great suspense, probably because none of the characters is particularly easy to identify with. The elements prove themselves more decisive than any actions the humans take. The last few pages of the book are the best, however, and things end on a rousing high note.

This was my first time reading Garve. He has a distinct lack of style, and his exposition is often a bit clumsy. The story's atmosphere does benefit through the use of a lot of British informal speech that I had to look up in a dictionary. I would not rule out reading another of his books. He isn't the most exciting companion--but he is well mannered. show less

A brash sociopath has a fling with a young woman while on vacation, gives her a fake address and hopes to never see her again. When she finds him, his plans to marry another young woman for her and her parents' money may go awry. Will he resort to murder?

Wonderfully written page turner told from the views of multiple characters.

Highly recommended.

What a great story from the ever-reliable Andrew Garve; Murderer's Fen is the tale of a murder planned by Alan Hunt - smooth talking salesman and all round con man. It's not a whodunit, but a 'how's he going to get away with it', told in Garve's trademark laconic style. I love the easy to read approach and his hallmark light touch.

Unusually for the bulk of crime fiction (even good crime fiction), the plot hinges on the police not being stupid, with them actually doing some detecting and show more synthesising of clues and other information. So often these days the detective is at the mercy of the events which unfold around them, and the story peters out, rather than being solved by the police. Garve avoids this, and his plotting skills are clearly on display here.

Although this isn't a long novel, Garve displays a great grasp of the psychology of the crime and its impact on those touched by it. Hunt is a true antihero, similar to those created by authors such as Patricia Highsmith and Ruth Rendell, where despite the heinous nature of their crimes and misdeeds, there's a part of you that can sympathise with them, and almost root for them to avoid their inevitable downfall and comeuppance. Garve's ability to create this desire to identify with 'bad' people is a much more interesting way of thinking about good and evil, than that which is displayed by many modern crime fiction authors.

It's a real shame that most of Andrew Garve's novels are now out of print. If you enjoy good crime fiction, make the effort to track down some of his books...they'll certainly repay the effort.

© Koplowitz 2013 show less

Kindly old Edward Latimer is accused of assaulting a girl on a train. She then withdraws her accusation, but it's too late - his reputation is ruined. Then the girl ends up dead. His sons are determined to clear his name.

I liked this story, but it was a bit dated. Not the plot, just the characterization seemed awfully old-fashioned.