Antidote to Venom

Starred review from June 1, 2015
This wonderfully intricate puzzle by one of the foremost writers during the golden age of British crime fiction was first published in 1938 and has been reissued as part of the British Library's Crime Classics series. In it, Crofts makes great use of the inverted mystery structure (he was among the first to employ the technique) in which the traditional whodunit is turned on its head, with the reader following the murderer through temptation and commission and then watching the detective (Crofts' continuing character, Inspector French) sort through the sparse clues. With Crofts at the helm, this makes for identification with the murderer and also excruciating suspense throughout. The action centers on George Surridge, a zoo director whose life is unraveling. Surridge has a miserable marriage, a gambling habit, and a new drain on his finances in the form of a woman he's fallen in love with. Crofts also presents us with a fascinating backdrop with the running of the zoo. The day-to-day operations (how many herrings are needed to feed a king penguin each day, for example) are given in precise detail, with a special emphasis on security arrangements for the reptile house, which figures prominently later on. While the murder plot and method are gasp-inducing, Crofts' depiction of a man sliding more and more into temptation is thrilling as well. Each chapter starts with the word venom connected to a path (as in family or office) through which this metaphorical poison can enter someone's life. Brilliant in construction and theme.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)