The Blotting Book

This is a 72-page novella that was originally published in 1908. It's a story of a crime and of how easily justice can be thwarted, with a little bit of detection, but the outcome depends more on the behavior of the criminal than anything else..
Morris Assheton is due to come into his inheritance when he’s twenty-five. A clause in his father’s will allows him to take control of his money earlier, if he marries a woman that his mother approves of.
Morris has met and fallen in love with a woman that meets that criteria, so his trustee, Edward Taynton, suggests he might want to take a look at his accounts of the trust. Morris has other more important things to think about, though, like his future wife, and his shinny brand-new car which show more he loves with at least as much fervor as he has for his future wife. Morris's hesitancy is a lucky thing for his attorneys Edward, and his partner Godfrey Mills. He lawyers have been gambling unsuccessfully with Morris's trust funds. So all seems well, but things are about to go wrong and when they do, it will all lead to murder.

This is listed as a mystery, but it really isn’t... or at least the possibilities are so limited that even me as an 11-year-old, was able to figure out "whodunit" pretty early on. What it really is, is an entertaining and insightful character study of the three main characters, Morris and the two trustees, but mostly of Edward Taynton.

Edward is not a bad man. In fact, his gambling was meant to benefit Morris as much as himself...and he still hoped to replace the money that was lost before the trust is used up. He’s worked hard to give himself a comfortable life and he hopes to retire soon to enjoy life before he’s too old. We see how he’s affected by all the pressure of what they have done. He makes some rather odd decisions but somehow manages to justify his behavior. A kind, friendly man that everyone likes and respects, with a slight streak of narcissism beneath the surface.

Morris, one of the trustees, is also a pleasant character, who leads a contented, pampered happy life and has every reason to expect that to continue. However, when things go wrong, suddenly he becomes angry...filled with rage that shocks and surprises everyone, including himself. He suddenly is behaving in a way that surprises his partner.

When the murder happens, it's quite late in the story, but remember the entire book is only 72-pages. The author builds a great atmosphere of dread, with some good dramatic writing. After a police investigation in which the police show themselves to be smarter than the murderer thought they were, it should be no surprise that they all end up in a courtroom drama where there’s an excellent, unexpected revelation that surrounds a physical clue that turns the prosecution’s whole case upside down at the last minute. The reader is only made aware of the clue at just the appropriate place and time, but while I had read this little book what seems like at least a thousand times, I remember spotting that it was THE CLUE...the one that as an 11-year old, I couldn’t figure out, but as an adult I caught right away and just added to the fun!

I thoroughly enjoyed this little venture into my younger days. Unless you are the world's slowest reader you can easily read this in a few hours. My interest never flagged despite knowing "whodunit" and how it would end. I think that it's the character of Edward that makes it so entertaining. He may be a cheat and a bit of an untalented crook, but I found him to be welcome company in my delve into my past. My apologizes, but thank you, if you have read this entire review which is almost longer than the book:) show less

I'd only ever read Benson's Lucia books, so this clever little detective story (with a psychological twist) was a real surprise. Mr. Taynton is an accountant who has been charged with investing the fortune of young Morris Assheton. Over the years, Taynton has "borrowed" some of Assheton's money for an investment that went wrong, resulting in a loss of £10,000 for Assheton (about which he, of course, knows nothing). As Assheton prepares to marry, Taynton and his partner, Mills, scramble and connive to cover themselves before the loss is discovered. Through a series of plot twists, Mills eventually blackmails Taynton and threatens to tell Assheton the truth. Mills is found dead and Assheton is ultimately charged with his murder, although show more is acquitted. It isn't until the final pages of the book that the reader learns the truth. This creepy story is cleverer than any Agatha Christie ever wrote. show less

A very clever, very well written little book. The plotting is excellent, the twist not quite so unexpected but very enjoyable and easily read in a couple of sittings. The characterisation and the psychological element are well done and it still stands up to scrutiny after over 100 years - recommended!

This is in the public domain in Canada.

I skimmed it while very tired on an aeroplane and quite enjoyed it. The opening chapters, where we gradually learn what Mr Taynton has been up to, were cleverly done. It is a very short book, and although the mystery if what happened to Mr Mills is not particularly mysterious, the ending was also well done.

This tale of murder,blackmail and fraud begins in the genteel and refined environs of Brighton society. As the story proceeds however it becomes gradually darker,until it's final conclusion at the Lewes Assizes with a man on trial for his life.
E.F.Benson is that rare individual who writes equally well in many and various styles.He is of course well known for his Mapp & Lucia comic stories. Then there are his many Ghost stories and his other straight novels and short stories. Here we are presented with yet another facet ,that of Crime writing,and a very creditable job he makes of it too.

Highly enjoyable, but not an awful lot of detection involved. An open and shut case.