BelEdit Book Reviews
Terry Deary, best known for Horrible Histories, ventures into adult crime fiction with Actually, I’m a Murderer, a darkly comedic and intricately plotted murder mystery. It’s an unpredictable and witty crime romp, mainly set in 1973, blending suspense and social commentary.
Unique premise and structure
The story begins in 2023, with Tony Davies – a once-aspiring actor turned successful author – reflecting on a pivotal moment from his past. Fifty years earlier, on a London to Sunderland train, Tony found himself sharing a compartment with three strangers: Claire, an ambitious electronics technician; Edward, a smug government lawyer and John Brown, a man whose casual confession (“Actually, I’m a murderer”) embroils them all in a remarkable chain of events. The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of Tony, John Brown, and Aline James, a police constable determined to shine while navigating the rank sexism of the 1970s police force. We discover the same events from different angles, adding depth and intrigue to the plot.
Regular readers will know that I’m a sucker for a good structure. And structure is one of this novel’s strongest assets. The narrative alternates between the past and the present, slowly unraveling the consequences of that fateful train ride. The contrast between the two timelines adds layers to the story, making it more than just a whodunit — it also reflects on how the past shapes the present.
Memorable characters and sharp social commentary
The characters are a fascinating mixed bag. John Brown, the self-proclaimed murderer, is a standout, memorable protagonist. Chilling yet charismatic in a rather weird way, he is a self-confessed sociopath with no remorse for his actions. His nonchalance is both terrifying and amusing, especially when contrasted with the other passengers’ reactions. Tony, the impulsive actor, provides much of the novel’s humour. His journey from a directionless young man to a reflective older writer adds an emotional core to the story.
The 1973 setting is vividly rendered, and serves as more than just a historical backdrop. Deary captures the social dynamics of the era, notably the misogyny faced by women like Aline. She is dismissed and harassed simply because she is a woman, her competence constantly undermined by her male colleagues in the police force. Her struggles in a male-dominated workplace will have readers (female readers at least) seething at the gender inequality and rooting for her to succeed.
Claire and Edward, though less developed, are nonetheless important secondary characters, each embodying different facets of ambition and arrogance.
Twists, turns and dark humour
Actually, I’m a Murderer is not your typical murder mystery. While it pays homage to classics (including Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train, obviously), Deary infuses the plot with his own brand of macabre but playful humour and unpredictability. The story takes several unexpected turns, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, there’s another twist, all leading to a particularly satisfying ending.
While not without flaws, Actually, I’m a Murderer is an engaging, fast-paced narrative that keeps you guessing. Most of all, in a genre that is too often cliché-ridden and utterly predictable, this novel is constantly surprising. Enjoyable as a crime/mystery novel, as comedy, as social commentary, or indeed all three, it’s got plenty to offer a wide range of readers.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. All my reviews are 100% honest and unbiased, regardless of how I acquire the book.
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