- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; paperback / softback edition (10 Jan 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140282009
- ISBN-13: 978-0140282009
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 10.8 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 267,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Against the backdrop of an East Coast winter, menace and suspense build towards a chilling conclusion, as the lives of four people, linked by an illict love, are manipulated wth intricate and terminal precision.
From the Author
Afterthoughts on A Perfect Crime
A Perfect Crime scared me a little bit, too, especially on the days I was writing from Roger's point-of-view. Roger has an IQ of 181. (I worried that figure was too high to be believable, until I read of some Wall Streeter with a 200-and-something IQ - I believe he notes it on his business card.) Putting myself inside such a potent brain was an adventure - it seemed to have such a nasty angle on so many things. The extra IQ points vanished the moment I left my desk, of course. And the nastiness, too, I hope.
A Perfect Crime scared me a little bit, too, especially on the days I was writing from Roger's point-of-view. Roger has an IQ of 181. (I worried that figure was too high to be believable, until I read of some Wall Streeter with a 200-and-something IQ - I believe he notes it on his business card.) Putting myself inside such a potent brain was an adventure - it seemed to have such a nasty angle on so many things. The extra IQ points vanished the moment I left my desk, of course. And the nastiness, too, I hope.
Adultery: I received some mail from American readers who simply could not like Francie because of the fact that she was having an affair. I'm very curious whether there will be any similar reaction from the U.K.
Where did the idea come from? Although the story has links to The Scarlet Letter, an important book in the American canon, it began in my mind with the image of that beautiful, piney cabin - where Francie and Ned would meet - isolated on an island in a frozen river. I had the feeling it was a perfect place for both very good and very terrible things to happen.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I feel moved to write my first review.
This book beats the pants off 99% of the claptrap in the market. If you value quality, quality of writing, characters and story-telling--the core of great books--over so called high-concept plots, which use pure sensationalism to cater to the 'Whitey Truax' TV-dinner population, then read this book.
'A Perfect Crime' isn't a perfect book, it is however a perfect example of a perfect writer aiming for perfection. No cheap tricks here. Other writers take note.
Elmore Leonard is genius. This book will stand, quite comfortably, next to his work on my bookshelf--that is, until I pull it down to read again. Which will be after I read the rest of Peter Abraham's fine work first.
Why is it so hard to find an Abraham book!
Oh, to answer your question, Peter: ignore the criticisms. Conflict is drama.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A Perfect Crime is a great psychological thriller that races away at the beginning but becomes slightly derailed at the end. The basic premise is: Francie and Ned are having an affair. Francie’s vile husband Roger finds out about it and plans to kill them both. However, the twists and coincidences that occur are startling and exciting and make this thriller into something very original.
I especially loved the backdrop to this thriller. The weather is always cold and icy and the house where Francie and Ned meet in centred on an island and can only be reached by rowing across in a small boat. These elements provide great atmosphere and originality. Roger is diabolical and I enjoyed the contrast between how he viewed himself (clever, self assured) and the way others saw him (strange nutcase!).
Overall A Perfect Crime is a competent thriller with short sections and snappy dialogue. The characters are well developed although certain aspects seemed unlikely such as Roger thinking he’d be able to control Whitey Truax so perfectly that he could commit the perfect murder where he couldn’t be implicated. However, this book is filled with suspense and surprises, so you’d be wise to give it a go. I’m glad I did.
JoAnne
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A gripping, well-paced novel ideal for train journeys or holidays. The story was let down by far too many coincidences to be believable. Of the characters the ones who stand out were Roger who was so obviously "off his trolley" that you think someone would have noticed and Whitey Truax who was an obvious psycho. Overall a decent book but not one to keep to reread.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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