The Patrick Hamilton Appreciation Society discussion

CQM wrote: "Here's a name for you chaps, Donald Henderson.


I'm about halfway through Mr. Bowling Buys a Newspaper and it's definitely in our wheelhouse, Hamilton-wise.

I'm on my phone so find it difficult to do links and what have you but you're smart cookies and will find it easy enough.

I had no idea it was going to be Hamilton-esque, I just thought it sounded like an interesting inverted mystery set during the blackout and listed as one of Raymond Chandler's favourite books. Actually though its reminding me very much of Hamilton and i feel sure it will go down a treat in these parts."

According to Wikipedia....


Donald Landels Henderson (28 April 1905 – 18 April 1947) was an English writer.

As a young man Henderson spent a period in a stockbrokers' office, and then became an actor. Later he joined the staff of the BBC.

From early youth he had written novels and plays under various pseudonyms. He first used his own name on the 1943 psychological thriller Mr. Bowling Buys a Newspaper, which got considerable critical attention in wartime Britain. In 1946, it was dramatised for the stage under the same title with a cast headed by Anthony Hawtery and Jean Forbes-Robertson. In 1948, film actor Gene Raymond obtained the screen rights to it, according to the New York Daily News. In 1950, Anthony Hawtrey and Vida Hope starred in teleplay of the novel on British television . In the immediate aftermath of World War II Henderson published a second novel in the same genre, the 1946 Goodbye to Murder.

He was born in London, the only son of Donald Douglas Henderson (1873-1931), an engineer, and Helen Mary Henderson, nee Scott, (1882-1959).

Henderson's career was cut short when he contracted lung cancer and died in Chelsea, London. His wife was the former Rosemary Austen, whom he had married in 1942.

I've just snapped up....


Mr. Bowling Buys a Newspaper

AND

Goodbye to Murder

...as both are currently a mere 99 pence on Kindle

Looking forward to discovering a new writer

Thanks CQM

swift isn't the word Nigey, the word hasn't been thought of.
now I have to put up with that gnawing feeling that maybe nobody else will share my enthusiasm.

If the worst should happen, which I do not expect, then it's only 99 pence and a few hours of my time - so relax. Everything is groovy in the garden. I'd rather be getting these tip top recommendations, and run the risk of the odd one not hitting the sweet spot, than not be getting the recs.

Please keep em coming CQM

I've now read a few chapters of....


Mr. Bowling Buys a Newspaper (1943) by Donald Henderson

It's very good and I am completely beguiled so far. Dark, somewhat surreal and strange. I can see clear parallels with Patrick Hamilton's Hangover Square which is, as we know, a very good thing.

It's set in London during WW2 and is a crime novel but one which doesn't follow any kind of predictable template.

The central character appears to be a serial killer whose first person narrative give us insights into his thought processes which are often darkly funny. This emphasis on psychology also reminds me of Patricia Highsmith.

So far it's heady stuff. I'll keep you posted.

Nigeyb wrote: "I've now read a few chapters of....


Mr. Bowling Buys a Newspaper (1943) by Donald Henderson

It's very good and I am completely beguiled so far."

I am nearly at the end now and am still really enjoying it. A very unusual crime book with some very dark humour.

It's almost the inverse of a murder mystery despite featuring several murders.

I'm so impressed: compulsively readable, wryly humorous, whilst at the same time quite horrific.

I've now finished....


Mr. Bowling Buys a Newspaper (1943) by Donald Henderson. It's heady and compelling, and I recommend it

Here’s my review

Thanks CQM - a top tip

4/5

Glad to hear you enjoyed it Nigey.
"Heady and compelling" is one for the blurb and no mistake.

I've nearly finished...


Goodbye to Murder (1946) by Donald Henderson

Originally published in 1946, this classic thriller, by turns unnerving and moving in its depiction of a woman driven to murder, was one of only a handful of crime novels completed by Donald Henderson before his untimely death.

The blurb...
Much to her surprise, Thelma Winterton finds that she is more concerned about being late for her husband’s cocktail party than she is about having committed her first murder. Hurrying back to her flat she recalls the journey from bored orphan schoolgirl to bored housewife, to killer - and contemplates her next move. For Thelma's eyes are only just beginning to open to the extent of the oppression she has suffered at the hands of her insufferable husband and domineering mother-in-law - and she will do anything to escape, even if she has to hang for it.

I am struck by a similar vibe to the enjoyable Mr. Bowling Buys a Newspaper. Once again it's got a very strange atmosphere and that I really appreciate, it's almost surreal. Both books share that sense of domestic claustrophobia and offer a credible slice of 1940s wartime London life. Darkly comic, slightly amoral and illuminating an abnormal world which is, also, all too believable.

Thelma is a wonderful character - as is her throughly self absorbed husband Adrian

Adrian's mother is also an amusing creation - complete with hen pecked husband. How many of these couples really existed? They were such a stereotype of the era.

It's such a shame Donald Henderson died before he could write more books.


Goodbye to Murder (1946) by Donald Henderson

Finished


Here’s my review

4/5

I loved it. Another noir-tinged tale of a serial killer from Donald Henderson which subverts the murder mystery genre

The mood and atmosphere are really something special

Breaking news....


Murderer at Large by Donald Henderson

...is currently 99 pence at the UK Kindle store. Needless to say I've just snapped it up

I've got A Voice Like Velvet sitting on the bedside cabinet and its next in line for the CQM peepers. I'll keep you posted.

Good to know CQM


I'm hoping that one might be next in line for a price drop - if not, I'll snap it up anyway. One way or another I'm going to read it.

Keep us posted when you get to it CQM. You are our official resident Henderson expert

I finished Mr Bowling Buys A Newspaper last night, and am ready to binge on whatever else I’m able to turn up by Donald Henderson. It was a hell of a fun read, once I managed to get into the cadence of the language [ie: a whole lot of dialogue sentences ending in the word "what?" threw me, initially].

In general, the novel kept my curiosity going, kept me engaged, while neatly sidestepping all the usual and tired trappings of the genre.

Many thanks, CQM -- there's a very good chance I’d never have stumbled upon this one without your sage and enthusiastic shouting.

Glad to hear it went down so well with you chaps. Never doubted it...

We're all in your debt CQM

Thanks for the recommendation, CQM.

Three Henderson books (Kindle) were on offer at 99p, so I have snapped them up, and look forward to their noir.

Glad to see that other people have read Mr. Bowling Buys a Newspaper, what a brilliant book.

Blimmin marvellous

It was a fun one, but I’ve yet to make good on my pledge to read more of his novels.

I have not yet done so either, but hope to.

A Voice Like Velvet seems like the logical next-in-line, as it was brought back into print alongside Mr. Bowling Buys A Newspaper.

Good thought!

Didn't realise A Voice Like Velvet was back in circultation


Duly noted

Thanks

I can heartily recommend A Voice Like Velvet though it isn't quite up there with Mr Bowling.

Thanks CQM - on the list and looking forward to it