Antidote to Venom: British Library Crime
Classics
Freeman Wills Crofts
Poisoned Pen Press, Jul 7 2015, $12.95
ISBN: 9781464203794
Birmington Zoo Director George Surridge fears his
life is near collapse. His marriage
appears to be dying; he owes too much money; a disease threatens the animals in
his care; and he loves Nancy Weymore. A desperate Surridge considers various options
out of his spiraling worse quagmire while praying his elderly rich aunt
dies.
New Scotland Yard Inspector Joseph
French (see The Hog's Back Mystery) leads
the investigation into the murder of a pathology professor. French believes he knows who the culprit is
and the weapon; but cannot prove the prime suspect killed the victim in spite
of a timetable that affirms the opportunity.
French also struggles with how a venomous viper escaped from its Birmington
Zoo totally sealed cage.
Told initially by the person who abetted the
murderer and ultimately by the inspector, readers know very early on in this
1938 crime mystery the killer’s identity, but not how the homicide was
executed. Though the climax feels forced
(in fairness part of the era’s approach to justice), the tremendous storyline
grips the audience as we learn the methodology.
Harriet Klausner
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