Symons, Julian - The Progress of a Crime (1960)

Review by Xavier Lechard

In a time like ours when mystery writers think their duty is to give their books social relevance and psychological depth, "The Progress of a Crime" can seem at first sight some out-dated and for sure lost part of its novelty aspect. Reader going beyond this, however, won't be long to realize the book hasn't lost any of its venom and strike power. Unfolding a voluntarily thin plot, Symons delivers a sharp, devastative attack of British society of the time, and makes no prisoner: police, politicians, medias, even working-class have a pretty hard time here. Even though one may not agree with Symons's politics and gloomy view of the world, one have still to admire his concise yet powerful prose, naturalist characterization and masterful storytelling. Forty years after it was published and won an Edgar Award, "The Progress of a Crime" remains an amazing piece of work, one that stays with you when the last page is turned. So be careful before opening it. This book bites. Hard.