Crippen, A Novel of Murder by John Boyne

2020 Keyword Challenge - October (Haunt, Around, Shadow, Grave, MURDER, Deep)
Historical Fiction

I was completely unaware of the true story of Dr. Hawley Crippen which was brought to life in a novel of great suspense by the talented John Boyne.

I was a little perplexed by Crippen's character but it was resolved for me in the end. But there were some other not quite believable moments in the book that I will let you discern for yourself so as I don't give anything away.

Summary from Goodreads: July 1910: A gruesome discovery has been made at 39 Hilldrop Crescent, Camden.

Chief Inspector Walter Dew of Scotland Yard did not expect the house to be empty. Nor did he expect to find a body in the cellar. Buried under the flagstones are the remains of Cora Crippen, former music-hall singer and wife of Dr. Hawley Crippen. No one would have thought the quiet, unassuming Dr. Crippen capable of murder, yet the doctor and his mistress have disappeared from London, and now a full-scale hunt for them has begun.

Across the Channel in Antwerp, the S.S. Montrose has just set off on its two-week voyage to North America. Slipping in among the first-class passengers is a Mr. John Robinson, accompanied by his teenage son, Edmund. The pair may be hoping for a quiet, private voyage, but in the close confines of a luxury ocean liner, anonymity is rare. And with others aboard looking for romance, or violence, or escape from their past in Europe, it will take more than just luck for the Robinsons to survive the voyage unnoticed.

Quote:"...she had considered buying a dozen new novels and secluding herself in her room for the entire voyage..." (Ah, my idea of a wonderful vacation!)