The Ponson Case

By: Freeman Wills Crofts

Narrated by: Stephen Critchlow

Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the Collins Crime Club archive, the forgotten second novel by Freeman Wills Crofts, once dubbed 'The King of Detective Story Writers' and recognised as one of the 'big four' Golden Age crime authors.

When the body of Sir William Ponson is found in the Cranshaw River near his home of Luce Manor, it is assumed to be an accident - until the evidence points to murder. Inspector Tanner of Scotland Yard discovers that those who would benefit most from Sir William's death seem to have unbreakable alibis, and a mysterious fifth man whose footprints were found at the crime scene is nowhere to be found....

©2016 Freeman Wills Crofts (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

A classic whodunnit

Would you consider the audio edition of The Ponson Case to be better than the print version?

This is actually a silly question: if I had read the print version, I wouldn't be listening to the audiobook!
However, this book works very well in audio, thanks in no small part to the very good narrator. Stephen Critchlow manages the different voices and accents well so as to give colour to the characters and to make them easy to tell apart, as well as giving a good clear account of the actual story.

What other book might you compare The Ponson Case to, and why?

This is similar to many of the other classic mysteries of the period by people like John Bude: the process of working out the answer is convoluted, and the evidence unfolds before the reader in the same way it does before the detective. Unlike some writers of the period (notably Agatha Christie), Crofts 'plays fair' and doesn't make the denouement depend on some unknown event that is logistically feasible but psychologically impossible.

Which character – as performed by Stephen Critchlow – was your favourite?

The inspector's dogged courtesy and tenacity make him very likeable.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It is intellectually entertaining rather than emotionally moving, but I found it absorbing and enjoyable.

Any additional comments?

I do wish we could write free comments, rather than the stilted, pointed questions. They so often are inappropriate to books I would like to review!

Great Railway Journeys in 1930's Britain.

Great book of its time and very evocative of the period. A large part of the story is taken up with railway timetables and connections. At times it sounds a bit like Great British Railway Journeys and you half expect to hear what BrDshaw had to say about the place.
Still enjoyable and different from the usual fare.

Fun and entertaining

pleasant book, OK story but tiresome characters, no real hero! and ending not very exciting.

Great listen

This is the third book by the author to which I have listened. Yet another well written, beautifully crafted puzzle in the classic detective genre. Strongly recommended.

enjoyable old fashioned style crime storyline

lots of detective work in it some which made me smile.
would definitely recommend a good listen.

Freeman Crofts Wills does it again

No Inspector French in this tale but Tanner is made in the aame mould. Cracking stiry with lots of police work style details in Wills' fashion.

Keeps you guessing right to the end.