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The Progress of a Crime
Hugh Bennett, young reporter on a local paper, witnessed a terrible crime—a group of boys stabbed a man to death on Guy Fawkes’ night, right in front of the fire on the village green. But as Bennett attempts to write the story for his paper, doubts begin to creep in about what he actually saw, and he finds himself facing an immense moral dilemma.
286 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
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320 people want to read
About the author
Julian Symons
256 books65 followersJulian Gustave Symons is primarily remembered as a master of the art of crime writing. However, in his eighty-two years he produced an enormously varied body of work. Social and military history, biography and criticism were all subjects he touched upon with remarkable success, and he held a distinguished reputation in each field.
His novels were consistently highly individual and expertly crafted, raising him above other crime writers of his day. It is for this that he was awarded various prizes, and, in 1982, named as Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America - an honour accorded to only three other English writers before him: Graham Greene, Eric Ambler and Daphne Du Maurier. He succeeded Agatha Christie as the president of Britain's Detection Club, a position he held from 1976 to 1985, and in 1990 he was awarded the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the British Crime Writer.
Symons held a number of positions prior to becoming a full-time writer including secretary to an engineering company and advertising copywriter and executive. It was after the end of World War II that he became a free-lance writer and book reviewer and from 1946 to 1956 he wrote a weekly column entitled "Life, People - and Books" for the Manchester Evening News. During the 1950s he was also a regular contributor to Tribune, a left-wing weekly, serving as its literary editor.
He founded and edited 'Twentieth Century Verse', an important little magazine that flourished from 1937 to 1939 and he introduced many young English poets to the public. He has also published two volumes of his own poetry entitled 'Confusions about X', 1939, and 'The Second Man', 1944.
He wrote hie first detective novel, 'The Immaterial Murder Case', long before it was first published in 1945 and this was followed in 1947 by a rare volume entitled 'A Man Called Jones' that features for the first time Inspector Bland, who also appeared in Bland Beginning.
These novles were followed by a whole host of detective novels and he has also written many short stories that were regularly published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. In additin there are two British paperback collections of his short stories, Murder! Murder! and Francis Quarles Investigates, which were published in 1961 and 1965 resepctively.
His novels were consistently highly individual and expertly crafted, raising him above other crime writers of his day. It is for this that he was awarded various prizes, and, in 1982, named as Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America - an honour accorded to only three other English writers before him: Graham Greene, Eric Ambler and Daphne Du Maurier. He succeeded Agatha Christie as the president of Britain's Detection Club, a position he held from 1976 to 1985, and in 1990 he was awarded the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the British Crime Writer.
Symons held a number of positions prior to becoming a full-time writer including secretary to an engineering company and advertising copywriter and executive. It was after the end of World War II that he became a free-lance writer and book reviewer and from 1946 to 1956 he wrote a weekly column entitled "Life, People - and Books" for the Manchester Evening News. During the 1950s he was also a regular contributor to Tribune, a left-wing weekly, serving as its literary editor.
He founded and edited 'Twentieth Century Verse', an important little magazine that flourished from 1937 to 1939 and he introduced many young English poets to the public. He has also published two volumes of his own poetry entitled 'Confusions about X', 1939, and 'The Second Man', 1944.
He wrote hie first detective novel, 'The Immaterial Murder Case', long before it was first published in 1945 and this was followed in 1947 by a rare volume entitled 'A Man Called Jones' that features for the first time Inspector Bland, who also appeared in Bland Beginning.
These novles were followed by a whole host of detective novels and he has also written many short stories that were regularly published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. In additin there are two British paperback collections of his short stories, Murder! Murder! and Francis Quarles Investigates, which were published in 1961 and 1965 resepctively.
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December 20, 2020
Bleak realism…
Hugh Bennett is a young reporter, working on a provincial newspaper covering all the small-town stories. On Guy Fawkes night, he is sent to cover the annual bonfire in the village of Far Wether. But there’s been trouble in Far Wether recently, when a gang of youths caused a disturbance at a local dance and were roughly ejected by a local resident, James Corby. During the bonfire the youths return and, in the darkness, Corby is killed. There are plenty of witnesses, but none who can swear to having seen the actual stabbing. The police have to make sense of the conflicting reports, but eventually, after interviewing the members of the gang intensively, they build up a case against “King” Garney, the leader of the gang, and his faithful follower, Leslie Gardner. The evidence, especially in the case of Gardner, is pretty circumstantial, and one of the big national newspapers decides to pay for his defence…
This is well written and very believable, with a good deal to say about the alienation of youth and the psychology of young men who get caught up in gangs. Hugh knows Leslie’s sister, Jill, and is in the process of falling in love with her, so he finds himself becoming personally as well as professionally involved in the case and, having been at the bonfire, he is also a witness. Symons gives what feels like an authentic portrayal of the life of a reporter on a local paper, covering relatively trivial stories and dreaming of making the big-time on one of the national newspapers. Hugh finds himself working with Frank Fairfield, a major crime reporter from one of those nationals, a man with a reputation for good investigative journalism, but who has an obvious drink problem.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t really work for me. The sordid type of crime and the array of unlikeable characters meant that I didn’t much care whether Gardner was guilty or innocent. First published in 1960, Symons concentrates on gritty realism and social issues, at the expense, in my opinion, of mystery and entertainment. The introduction by Martin Edwards tells us that Symons was inspired by a real crime and I rarely find real crime as enjoyable as imagined crime. However that’s a subjective opinion – many other readers will probably appreciate the emphasis on realism. The moral, upstanding Golden Age policeman has given way to the bullying, violent type who always leave me wondering whether they’re actually any better than the criminals. It may be a more accurate portrayal of the policing of that era, but again it meant I couldn’t find myself fully on the side of “law and order”.
The latter part of the book covers the trial of the two youths, and this is the best part, with all the traditional surprises being sprung by the defence barrister, while the equally competent prosecutor smoothly responds. Gardner’s family is well developed too, so that we see the tensions among them even before the trial, with young Leslie and his father at loggerheads and Jill, the daughter of the family, trying to mediate. But again I found them all unpleasant people to spend time with, even Jill, whom I suspect we were supposed to like. For Hugh, it’s a bit of a coming-of-age story, as his youthful idealism about journalism takes some serious knocks as he sees the lack of compassion the top reporters have for those caught up in their stories.
So I appreciated the feeling of authenticity Symons manages to create, and am sure this will appeal to people who like their crime fiction to have an air of realism. But for me it was too bleak a read, lacking any elements of warmth or humour to lift the tone.
The book also includes a short story, The Tigers of Subtopia, again about disaffected youth and the reaction of a man who usually thinks of himself as liberal when he feels his own family under threat. I felt much the same about this as about the novel – very well done, authentic and realistic, but too bleak for me.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, the British Library.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
Hugh Bennett is a young reporter, working on a provincial newspaper covering all the small-town stories. On Guy Fawkes night, he is sent to cover the annual bonfire in the village of Far Wether. But there’s been trouble in Far Wether recently, when a gang of youths caused a disturbance at a local dance and were roughly ejected by a local resident, James Corby. During the bonfire the youths return and, in the darkness, Corby is killed. There are plenty of witnesses, but none who can swear to having seen the actual stabbing. The police have to make sense of the conflicting reports, but eventually, after interviewing the members of the gang intensively, they build up a case against “King” Garney, the leader of the gang, and his faithful follower, Leslie Gardner. The evidence, especially in the case of Gardner, is pretty circumstantial, and one of the big national newspapers decides to pay for his defence…
This is well written and very believable, with a good deal to say about the alienation of youth and the psychology of young men who get caught up in gangs. Hugh knows Leslie’s sister, Jill, and is in the process of falling in love with her, so he finds himself becoming personally as well as professionally involved in the case and, having been at the bonfire, he is also a witness. Symons gives what feels like an authentic portrayal of the life of a reporter on a local paper, covering relatively trivial stories and dreaming of making the big-time on one of the national newspapers. Hugh finds himself working with Frank Fairfield, a major crime reporter from one of those nationals, a man with a reputation for good investigative journalism, but who has an obvious drink problem.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t really work for me. The sordid type of crime and the array of unlikeable characters meant that I didn’t much care whether Gardner was guilty or innocent. First published in 1960, Symons concentrates on gritty realism and social issues, at the expense, in my opinion, of mystery and entertainment. The introduction by Martin Edwards tells us that Symons was inspired by a real crime and I rarely find real crime as enjoyable as imagined crime. However that’s a subjective opinion – many other readers will probably appreciate the emphasis on realism. The moral, upstanding Golden Age policeman has given way to the bullying, violent type who always leave me wondering whether they’re actually any better than the criminals. It may be a more accurate portrayal of the policing of that era, but again it meant I couldn’t find myself fully on the side of “law and order”.
The latter part of the book covers the trial of the two youths, and this is the best part, with all the traditional surprises being sprung by the defence barrister, while the equally competent prosecutor smoothly responds. Gardner’s family is well developed too, so that we see the tensions among them even before the trial, with young Leslie and his father at loggerheads and Jill, the daughter of the family, trying to mediate. But again I found them all unpleasant people to spend time with, even Jill, whom I suspect we were supposed to like. For Hugh, it’s a bit of a coming-of-age story, as his youthful idealism about journalism takes some serious knocks as he sees the lack of compassion the top reporters have for those caught up in their stories.
So I appreciated the feeling of authenticity Symons manages to create, and am sure this will appeal to people who like their crime fiction to have an air of realism. But for me it was too bleak a read, lacking any elements of warmth or humour to lift the tone.
The book also includes a short story, The Tigers of Subtopia, again about disaffected youth and the reaction of a man who usually thinks of himself as liberal when he feels his own family under threat. I felt much the same about this as about the novel – very well done, authentic and realistic, but too bleak for me.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, the British Library.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
January 22, 2014
This mystery won the Edgar Award in 1961. Hugh Bennett is a 22-year-old reporter for a small town paper in England. He dreams of getting to London eventually for work on a national paper.
When he is sent out on the usual boring assignment to cover a Guy Fawkes Night, he witnesses the murder of a local tavern owner. Before long he is involved with a top crime reporter from a big London paper as well as with the sister of one of the suspects.
A gang of knife-carrying motorcycle youths are called in, questioned, and eventually two of them are charged and tried for the crime. The London paper pays for a lawyer to defend the youths in exchange for access to the families. As the situation grows more tense, Hugh learns the ways of the world and has to grapple with his own moral compass.
The storytelling is not particularly gripping, in fact might be a bit too literary for crime fiction, but does deal with teen crime, the political and economic conditions of the times, and class conflict in mid-20th century Britain. These are the times that gave us the Beatles, the Kinks, and the Rolling Stones. Not many writers were addressing teens yet in 1960. Probably Catcher in the Rye spawned the genre and I read a 1959 novel, Absolute Beginners, also set in England, that featured teens as a new demographic. It will be interesting to see the development of such books as I continue through My Big Fat Reading Project, especially since I myself became a teen in 1960.
When he is sent out on the usual boring assignment to cover a Guy Fawkes Night, he witnesses the murder of a local tavern owner. Before long he is involved with a top crime reporter from a big London paper as well as with the sister of one of the suspects.
A gang of knife-carrying motorcycle youths are called in, questioned, and eventually two of them are charged and tried for the crime. The London paper pays for a lawyer to defend the youths in exchange for access to the families. As the situation grows more tense, Hugh learns the ways of the world and has to grapple with his own moral compass.
The storytelling is not particularly gripping, in fact might be a bit too literary for crime fiction, but does deal with teen crime, the political and economic conditions of the times, and class conflict in mid-20th century Britain. These are the times that gave us the Beatles, the Kinks, and the Rolling Stones. Not many writers were addressing teens yet in 1960. Probably Catcher in the Rye spawned the genre and I read a 1959 novel, Absolute Beginners, also set in England, that featured teens as a new demographic. It will be interesting to see the development of such books as I continue through My Big Fat Reading Project, especially since I myself became a teen in 1960.
October 21, 2017
3.5 would be more accurate. Always interesting, but never exactly a page turner, this took me longer to read than others 2-3 times more lengthy. Nothing's bad about it, but it doesn't really have any momentum or urgency. You're never in much doubt as to the culpability of the suspects, and don't have much involvement in their situation because you only (briefly) view them through the eyes of others. This was probably a much more exciting and impressive novel when it was first released, before cynicism about the news media and the justice system was hard-wired into our brains. Then again, the film Ace in the Hole predates this by 10+ years so Symons wasn't exactly groundbreaking on that front.
December 20, 2019
It won an award (Edgar Award for Best Novel - I am reading all of those in order) but I found it rather dour and lackluster, though I think it is useful for people of the 21st century to read authors who thought that juvenile delinquents would ruin society - in 1959.
Basically, a violent incident between a storeowner and a youth gang leads to a murder. The authorities want to pin it on the gangleader with all due haste, but a local reporter, hoping to make his name (with justice as a nice bonus if it works out), isn't so sure...
Basically, a violent incident between a storeowner and a youth gang leads to a murder. The authorities want to pin it on the gangleader with all due haste, but a local reporter, hoping to make his name (with justice as a nice bonus if it works out), isn't so sure...
November 6, 2020
3 stars was a bit of a stretch for me. If I’m honest I found this book pretty dull.
Promising start, murder at a Guy Fawlkes party, but from there it is all very plodding. There’s a lot of reasonably annoying characters in here, most notably the police who are frankly so vile and questionably corrupt that I was rooting against them throughout.
It’s perfectly fine in its writing and concept, but most of all it’s boring. Not a page-Turner in any respect. The only thing that kept me going was a desire to get to the end!
Promising start, murder at a Guy Fawlkes party, but from there it is all very plodding. There’s a lot of reasonably annoying characters in here, most notably the police who are frankly so vile and questionably corrupt that I was rooting against them throughout.
It’s perfectly fine in its writing and concept, but most of all it’s boring. Not a page-Turner in any respect. The only thing that kept me going was a desire to get to the end!
February 21, 2022
Gritty and well written, this is not as much a mystery as the events surrounding one and the follow-up of it. The police interrogations, the papers trying to get a headline, the social issues of police corruption, youth isolation and gangs mentality from about half a century ago.
There is not much of a doubt about the guilty of the crime, so there is no sense of urgency to the story and... it really didn't get me invested in any of the characters, not even the supposedly good ones.
It's interesting, but not a page-turner.
There is not much of a doubt about the guilty of the crime, so there is no sense of urgency to the story and... it really didn't get me invested in any of the characters, not even the supposedly good ones.
It's interesting, but not a page-turner.
February 14, 2025
1960. A thoughtful treatise on the problems with relying on eye-witness accounts when it comes to a murder trial. Based loosely on the case of Teddy Boy knifing in Clapham, Symons transfers the action to a fictional village near a provincial city (I pictured Bristol) where Hugh Bennett, a reporter from the local Gazette newspaper witnesses the crime while attending a bonfire night celebration. The gang arrived on their motorcycles and in a volley of Roman candles, jumping jacks and flares a local man is killed (considering the flagrant disregard for the firework code it’s a wonder more weren’t injured). He had thrown these boys out of a dance a week earlier and they had come to extract their revenge. Any or all of the boys could have been carrying knives. Two or three of them got close enough to the victim and one of them stabbed him, but who? The gang is swiftly rounded up and a combination of local police and Scotland Yard’s finest sweat them until it becomes clear that the gang leader and his hero-worshipping buddy are the likely culprits.
Bennett is involved through being a witness and also falling in love with the younger suspect’s sister. A national daily paper picks up the story sending a seasoned (pickled) journalist, Frank Fairfield (I’m a journalist, you just work for a paper)to liaise with Bennett, report the investigation and subsequent trial - the paper paying for the younger defendant’s defence. Bennett can see himself in Fleet Street but starts to doubt his own memory when called to describe what and who he saw that night.
Symons spent a considerable amount of time at a Bristol newspaper so witnessed the thwarted and disappointed characters who ply their trade in the local press. There’s plenty of gritty realism; the story is told with unsentimental clarity and nobody emerges with an unblemished view of their role.
Bennett is involved through being a witness and also falling in love with the younger suspect’s sister. A national daily paper picks up the story sending a seasoned (pickled) journalist, Frank Fairfield (I’m a journalist, you just work for a paper)to liaise with Bennett, report the investigation and subsequent trial - the paper paying for the younger defendant’s defence. Bennett can see himself in Fleet Street but starts to doubt his own memory when called to describe what and who he saw that night.
Symons spent a considerable amount of time at a Bristol newspaper so witnessed the thwarted and disappointed characters who ply their trade in the local press. There’s plenty of gritty realism; the story is told with unsentimental clarity and nobody emerges with an unblemished view of their role.
June 30, 2024
Two teenagers are accused of a Bonfire Night knifing. The writing is skilled; the characters feel like real people. But there’s no suspense. There’s no warmth. Nothing was driving me towards the outcome of the trial.
Want to read
March 26, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
November 26, 2020
This 1960 novel, now reprinted in the British Library Crime Classics series, begins with a fireworks night event, but most of the action takes place well after the party. Less a detective mystery than a vivid account of social issues in the late 1950s, this novel accordingly features as its main character Hugh Bennett, a young reporter on a local paper. It has much to say on the subject of gangs of young men who are involved in anti social activities, justice, and the methods employed by certain police officers to obtain a result. The way that newspapers operate is also a strong theme in this book on both a local and national level, and though things have obviously changed since then, the forces of the media on people’s lives is still relevant.
This is a book which is stronger on characters than plot, but the mechanics of detection and seeking evidence is meticulously presented. A trial is also a strong element of the book, and is by no means a forgone conclusion. Based in some senses on a real life crime, Symons changed many details, but takes up several themes of uncertainty and mass action. A confusing episode in the darkness, unreliable or confused witnesses, and several possible culprits make this a distinctive read because of the very way it is written. Hugh is not responsible for solving the crime, yet his interest in the case is pointed out by Martin Edwards as life changing for him in unexpected ways. As always with the reprinted books in this significant series, I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this book.
The novel begins with Hugh struggling with the boredom of being a young reporter and spending his days following cases in the magistrates. He longs for a story of more significance, and believes he has found something of interest in a village of Far Weather, where a “group of youths” committed some anti social acts at a dance. Dealt with by a local worthy, James Corby, the young men were heard to utter threats of returning. Hugh guesses that a Guy Fawkes night party may be affected, so takes a trip to the village, discovering some facts in the local pub before joining the villagers in a darkened field, illuminated by a fire and fireworks. When the crime happens it is a confused picture for everyone, even though we see it principally through Hugh’s eyes. The way everything works out means that everyone must consider what they saw and heard, and think about what importance to accord to each. The influence of the investigating police officer, Twicker, is less clear than in many crime novels of the mid twentieth century, and he is perhaps a less significant character than he could be in another novel in this genre.
This edition also includes a short story, “The Tigers of Subtopia”, which is a disturbing look at the predictability of life for men in the suburbs and what happens when it is disturbed. I think that this is the essence of this book; what happens when young men implicitly challenge the status quo, how the establishment deals with it, and the attitudes to young men in a society that is afraid of them. This is less a “whodunit” than a “what happens now book”, how life cannot be the same when the crimes are committed. I found this a fascinating book, very different to many of the books in this series, and perhaps more of a social observation than many of the crime books in this series.
This is a book which is stronger on characters than plot, but the mechanics of detection and seeking evidence is meticulously presented. A trial is also a strong element of the book, and is by no means a forgone conclusion. Based in some senses on a real life crime, Symons changed many details, but takes up several themes of uncertainty and mass action. A confusing episode in the darkness, unreliable or confused witnesses, and several possible culprits make this a distinctive read because of the very way it is written. Hugh is not responsible for solving the crime, yet his interest in the case is pointed out by Martin Edwards as life changing for him in unexpected ways. As always with the reprinted books in this significant series, I was very pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this book.
The novel begins with Hugh struggling with the boredom of being a young reporter and spending his days following cases in the magistrates. He longs for a story of more significance, and believes he has found something of interest in a village of Far Weather, where a “group of youths” committed some anti social acts at a dance. Dealt with by a local worthy, James Corby, the young men were heard to utter threats of returning. Hugh guesses that a Guy Fawkes night party may be affected, so takes a trip to the village, discovering some facts in the local pub before joining the villagers in a darkened field, illuminated by a fire and fireworks. When the crime happens it is a confused picture for everyone, even though we see it principally through Hugh’s eyes. The way everything works out means that everyone must consider what they saw and heard, and think about what importance to accord to each. The influence of the investigating police officer, Twicker, is less clear than in many crime novels of the mid twentieth century, and he is perhaps a less significant character than he could be in another novel in this genre.
This edition also includes a short story, “The Tigers of Subtopia”, which is a disturbing look at the predictability of life for men in the suburbs and what happens when it is disturbed. I think that this is the essence of this book; what happens when young men implicitly challenge the status quo, how the establishment deals with it, and the attitudes to young men in a society that is afraid of them. This is less a “whodunit” than a “what happens now book”, how life cannot be the same when the crimes are committed. I found this a fascinating book, very different to many of the books in this series, and perhaps more of a social observation than many of the crime books in this series.
April 16, 2025
Originally published in 1960, ‘The Progress of a Crime’ is a sociological analysis of the Teddy Boy, juvenile delinquent “tough” culture of the 1950’s and early 60’s. Part thriller, part courtroom drama, part investigative journalism, part police procedural, partly about family relationships, class and social antagonisms -- what there isn't in this classic Julian Symons novel is hard to say.
Five boys are accused of a crime on Guy Fawkes’s night, but given the uncertain lights of a bonfire and fireworks, eventually only two are accused of murder at the bonfire site. The others are accused of complicity, but not of actual murder. A prominent newspaper takes up the defence of one of the boys; investigative journalists and local reporters interview witnesses; Scotland Yard is called in, and handles the suspects with its usual finesse. We see the trial, the lawyers and the handling of the witnesses.
In between, we are treated to how a strong family crumbles under the barrage of humiliation under police inquiries and searches, the newspaper’s continuous intrusion into very private life, and the public loss of face before inquisitive neighbours. What makes the younger generation so different had its roots around this time, when peer approval was more important than parental authority.
Julian Symons was not just an author of some very good detective novels, he was a respected critic of crime and detective fiction. ‘The Progress of a Crime’ represents Symons’s greatest analysis of crime fiction and how it is handled by the various branches of the law. As to the crime itself, and the victim – well, he is dead.
This book includes the short story ‘The Tigers of Subtopia,’ which asks the fundamental question, ‘Do Clothes Make the Man?’ Finally, what or who is a criminal – the flashy youth in tight fitting trousers, pointed tie and fiercely aggressive attitude, or the sober businessman in quiet clothes who lives up at Snob Hill in Suburbia?
Five boys are accused of a crime on Guy Fawkes’s night, but given the uncertain lights of a bonfire and fireworks, eventually only two are accused of murder at the bonfire site. The others are accused of complicity, but not of actual murder. A prominent newspaper takes up the defence of one of the boys; investigative journalists and local reporters interview witnesses; Scotland Yard is called in, and handles the suspects with its usual finesse. We see the trial, the lawyers and the handling of the witnesses.
In between, we are treated to how a strong family crumbles under the barrage of humiliation under police inquiries and searches, the newspaper’s continuous intrusion into very private life, and the public loss of face before inquisitive neighbours. What makes the younger generation so different had its roots around this time, when peer approval was more important than parental authority.
Julian Symons was not just an author of some very good detective novels, he was a respected critic of crime and detective fiction. ‘The Progress of a Crime’ represents Symons’s greatest analysis of crime fiction and how it is handled by the various branches of the law. As to the crime itself, and the victim – well, he is dead.
This book includes the short story ‘The Tigers of Subtopia,’ which asks the fundamental question, ‘Do Clothes Make the Man?’ Finally, what or who is a criminal – the flashy youth in tight fitting trousers, pointed tie and fiercely aggressive attitude, or the sober businessman in quiet clothes who lives up at Snob Hill in Suburbia?
March 7, 2025
Not a book to make you nostalgic for 1960s Britain. Poverty, disillusionment, misogyny and police corruption are all here and described with clarity and detachment. If you're a lover of Golden Age detective fiction like me you may find it all too cold, and in fact I put this book aside for that reason. But something made me pick it up again and give it my concentration because it is so very well written and crafted. It gets five stars for me because those are the criteria I feel a book should be judged by, not how cosy it makes you feel or whether the characters are sympathetic. The characters are all too believable at times, they are real, but like other reviewers have noted it was hard to warm to any of them. The book was inspired by a real crime - although the circumstances have been much altered - and it has been said to have a documentary feel. I could compare it to Sillitoe's Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner for the sense of alienation and rebellion against a corrupting world. The young criminal, Garney, shows courage and defiance despite the undeniably brutal nature of his crime and it's believable that his hero-worshipper Gardner chooses to share his fate after his father's rejection. The reporter Hugh similarly rejects the favours of those in power at the end. No, we can't feel nostalgia for a time when running water was a luxury and the state was happy to hang nineteen year olds. But this is a book that will stay with you and make you think about the kind of people who thrive in the world and those who go under the wheels. Perhaps we have lost something valuable since then - anger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2021
When I started starring and reviewing books here, it was just because it was a place to keep track, for myself. I didn't realize the whole ecosystem of value given to books based on it. Now I'm wondering if I should stop rating altogether, unless I give it a 4 or 5. Because there's nothing wrong with this book, just that for me, it was "ok," and that's what the rating means.
Anyway, this is an award-winning crime novel that follows, well, the progress of a crime, via the newspaper reports, police officers, and lawyers who work on the case from beginning to end. The crime itself is a relatively everyday one: after a previous altercation, a group of young men confront a local squire, throwing firecrackers at him. In the confusion, he's stabbed to death. The youths' obvious guilt is complicated by the question of who actually did the deed, who's an accomplice, and who didn't even know what was going on.
I got this because the main action is set on Guy Fawkes Day, and that interested me; also the period piece element of the Teddy Boys. But it was really just too straightforward of a crime procedural for my taste, and even it was/is realistic, the casually justified police brutality was a bit uncomfortable. If you like the more journalistic crime reporting style of a mystery, or the details of the jobs, and a lot of people do, this could be an interesting read for you. I somehow didn't realize that's how much of what it was, though. Alas.
Anyway, this is an award-winning crime novel that follows, well, the progress of a crime, via the newspaper reports, police officers, and lawyers who work on the case from beginning to end. The crime itself is a relatively everyday one: after a previous altercation, a group of young men confront a local squire, throwing firecrackers at him. In the confusion, he's stabbed to death. The youths' obvious guilt is complicated by the question of who actually did the deed, who's an accomplice, and who didn't even know what was going on.
I got this because the main action is set on Guy Fawkes Day, and that interested me; also the period piece element of the Teddy Boys. But it was really just too straightforward of a crime procedural for my taste, and even it was/is realistic, the casually justified police brutality was a bit uncomfortable. If you like the more journalistic crime reporting style of a mystery, or the details of the jobs, and a lot of people do, this could be an interesting read for you. I somehow didn't realize that's how much of what it was, though. Alas.
November 21, 2022
My initial reaction was to give this book 3 stars. As the name suggests it was less to do with the crime itself and more about the investigation and judicial process which as I was reading it felt it very dry and at times heavy going. However, with the distance of a week from finishing this book and reflecting on it further I have raised my rating because this book has stayed with me and there is considerably more to it than meets the eye. Published in 1960 The Progress of a Crime focuses on the attack and murder of James Corby at a local bonfire following a previous disagreement between Corby and the youths the previous week. There were plenty of witnesses to the attack including a young reporter, Hugh Bennet from the local newspaper, and the young men responsible were quickly arrested although it took longer for the police to establish who in the gang had carried out the actual stabbing. On the face of it then it seems quite straightforward in terms of method, means and motivation and apart from Hugh the rest of the characters were so dislikable I felt like I didn't much care about the outcome, but from here the book really becomes a study in how so many aspects of society operated at the time. Its main focus I felt was a comment on how the media behaves; how newspapers and journalists can interfere with situations primarily for no ones real benefit except their own sales. No surprises there really and little has changed over the years it seems. I think though I was more shocked by the attitudes of the police toward the investigation despite knowing that cohesion and abuse was a major factor in many confessions at that time. Ultimately a comment on the time including addressing political unrest amongst the working class and social deprivation and class prejudice the crime and criminals seem to be the vehicle for a much larger consideration of society in the late 1950's.
November 13, 2024
An unexpectedly excellent crime story which takes the form of a murder investigation and follow it from the time of the crime, right through to the trial its conclusion. Rather than being a classic who-dunnit. the story follows the progression of events from multiple angles - the small and large press journalists covering it, the witnesses, the detectives, the families and the barristers - and the social effects it has on everything that goes on around it within 1960's Britain
An apparent open/shut case, there are twists and turns to the crime that give it an extra dimension of sensationalism to offset the drier aspects of following what feels like a real life crime story playing out in a condensed time frame. Genre aside, what Progress of Crime does so well is keep everything extremely tight and should be considered a work aspiring writers could take lessons from in how to keep a plot to its essentials and remain engaging throughout.
It's a fine, well researched little story and whilst it was apparently a big deal in its time, has dropped off the radar in the modern day - perhaps because of how dated the sensibilities, the society and the people of the day feels against life today. Certainly that didn't put me off and I believe it deserves more recognition as a top quality slice of British crime fiction.
An apparent open/shut case, there are twists and turns to the crime that give it an extra dimension of sensationalism to offset the drier aspects of following what feels like a real life crime story playing out in a condensed time frame. Genre aside, what Progress of Crime does so well is keep everything extremely tight and should be considered a work aspiring writers could take lessons from in how to keep a plot to its essentials and remain engaging throughout.
It's a fine, well researched little story and whilst it was apparently a big deal in its time, has dropped off the radar in the modern day - perhaps because of how dated the sensibilities, the society and the people of the day feels against life today. Certainly that didn't put me off and I believe it deserves more recognition as a top quality slice of British crime fiction.
April 8, 2021
This one was a bit of a slog for me.... it took quite a while to get going, and to be honest I wasn't too impressed with the main character, cub reporter Hugh Bennett. He happens to be in the village of Far Wether on Guy Fawkes night when a gang of youths get their revenge on James Corby, who threw them out of a dance a couple of days previously. Corby is stabbed in the dark, and the youths speed off. The police quickly identify and capture the teens, but now they have to figure out who committed the murder, who helped. We see some heavy-handed interrogation techniques which were probably somewhat accepted for the time (1960), and a London newspaper paying for the defense of one of the accused simply to get a good story, leading to some surprising courtroom scenes.
As I've said above, Hugh Bennett was a bit of a disappointment, and Mr. Symons uses him as the centerpiece for his commentary about the day's policing, the perception of youths in 1960, the influence of money and publicity on justice. All still relevant today, I just wish that the story was able to carry these themes a bit better.
As I've said above, Hugh Bennett was a bit of a disappointment, and Mr. Symons uses him as the centerpiece for his commentary about the day's policing, the perception of youths in 1960, the influence of money and publicity on justice. All still relevant today, I just wish that the story was able to carry these themes a bit better.
January 26, 2024
Hugh Bennett is a rookie reporter on a provincial paper when he happens to witness a murder during an assignment to write up the Guy Fawkes bonfire in Far Wether. A group of hooligans led by the charismatic Jack "King" Garney attack an old man who had thrown them out of a local dance the week before, and he falls dead. The whole question is: which member(s) of the gang knifed him? Initially I thought the murderer would turn out to be somebody completely different who had a grudge against James Corby and saw his chance when the young terrors showed up, but this isn't that kind of a book at all. The novel concentrates on the journalists, the policemen and the lawyers who all want "the truth" but also want results that will benefit them and advance their careers or agenda. Bennett ends up in a doubtful position because he falls in love with Jill Gardner, the sister of Garney's dim and loyal lieutenant Leslie. When a national newspaper gets interested in the case enough to pay a famous lawyer for Leslie in return for his own story, the stakes get higher. Jill agrees to the deal with the paper because she refuses to believe her brother capable of murder, and is desperate to see him exonerated and freed. Her father George, for whom class warfare is his bread and butter, is most reluctant to accept any kind of help from a Tory paper, but can't resist Jill's pleas. Symons gives a blow by blow account of the trial and of all that goes on behind the scenes. Eventually Garney is condemned to death, and Leslie is found innocent, almost solely because of the legwork done by the Tory paper's permanently drunk, yet extremely competent crime reporter. In an excellent climactic scene, Leslie falls apart the minute he gets home. In front of the reporters, he confesses to the crime, and is disowned by his outraged father. Hours later, Leslie, having alienated his actual father and about to lose his idol Garney, kills himself. Then in another brillant twist, George Gardner pretends to disbelieve in his son's confession as he sees in Leslie's death a useful weapon for his political cause. This is a difficult book to summarize because the plot matters much less than Symons's dissection of the interactions between the worlds of journalism, law enforcement and the judicial process.
February 12, 2024
A bit of an oddity. While there is a murder at the centre of the tale, the major focus of the book is a cynical look at the news industry, particularly the disparity between a local newspaper and a big national paper.
The dream of a reporter on the small paper is to land a job with a national in the big city but is that promise all that it seems? Hugh's aspirations may be about to come true when he finds himself at the centre of a major story, that of a murder at a bonfire night celebration which he attended. When one of the murder accused is turned into a cause celebre by the national newspaper, Hugh becomes more and more aware of the number of dead rats he might have to swallow to live out his dream.
The murder case itself becomes sidelined by Hugh's growth and questioning of his and the industry's integrity. The last day of the court case isn't even dealt with directly, but told at third hand, making the murder only slightly more than a McGuffin.
Still a fascinating story, and well, if dispassionately, told, but perhaps it should have ben titled "The Progress of a News Story". Three to three and a half stars.
The dream of a reporter on the small paper is to land a job with a national in the big city but is that promise all that it seems? Hugh's aspirations may be about to come true when he finds himself at the centre of a major story, that of a murder at a bonfire night celebration which he attended. When one of the murder accused is turned into a cause celebre by the national newspaper, Hugh becomes more and more aware of the number of dead rats he might have to swallow to live out his dream.
The murder case itself becomes sidelined by Hugh's growth and questioning of his and the industry's integrity. The last day of the court case isn't even dealt with directly, but told at third hand, making the murder only slightly more than a McGuffin.
Still a fascinating story, and well, if dispassionately, told, but perhaps it should have ben titled "The Progress of a News Story". Three to three and a half stars.
September 16, 2024
This novel is more interesting than enjoyable. Its beginning sets up the basic premise, that no crime is simple. Some seem to be, with a few basic, indisputable facts, but when motive and other influences are factored in, simplicity and clarity disappear. The structure of this story flirts with stream of consciousness but it works. I wanted to like this book more than I did. It suffers from a common problem with 'realistic' fiction, namely that real crimes are depressing. The realism here extends to the characters, none of whom are likable. The rural, wannabe Teddy boys are obnoxious, as intended, but almost all the other characters are equally unpleasant. That may be 'accurate' from the standpoint of the story, but it makes for difficult reading. Even the protagonist reporter Hugh and his romantic interest Jill left me cold. I admire Mr. Symons for writing this book. I wish I could give more than three stars. Recommended only to fans of 'realistic' crime fiction.
November 8, 2021
Enjoyment factor was boosted by the fact that I was reading this around November 5th, so it felt atmospheric.
But to tell the truth it was all a bit slow…a local denizen is set upon by a gang of knife-wielding youths and it’s up to the local police, Scotland Yard, and an up-and-coming journalist to discover the truth. They do…only to conclude it was the gang of youths responsible. In other words, there are no alternate suspects, no guessing games, and no intrigue - although the last chapter suddenly threw in a few unexpected twists.
But to tell the truth it was all a bit slow…a local denizen is set upon by a gang of knife-wielding youths and it’s up to the local police, Scotland Yard, and an up-and-coming journalist to discover the truth. They do…only to conclude it was the gang of youths responsible. In other words, there are no alternate suspects, no guessing games, and no intrigue - although the last chapter suddenly threw in a few unexpected twists.
January 11, 2022
Julian Symons writes really great classic mysteries that don't follow the detective/whodunnit style of the Golden Age of mystery writing. Unfortunately I do like that more. However, his writing and characterization are exceptional but this plot and structure didn't appeal to me as much.
The plot is loosely based upon something Symons had seen when younger. In the novel, a report is at a bonfire when a man is stabbed to death by a gang of youths. What follows is the story of how eyewitness reports and reconstruction can affect trials and convictions.
The plot is loosely based upon something Symons had seen when younger. In the novel, a report is at a bonfire when a man is stabbed to death by a gang of youths. What follows is the story of how eyewitness reports and reconstruction can affect trials and convictions.
October 16, 2022
The Progress of a Crime by Julian Symons
The Progress of a Crime by Julian Symons, A Fireworks Night Mystery is a police story investigating a murder on Fireworks Night and then another murder of one of the young men part of the police investigation.
Reading the story now makes the police and the newspapers look very old fashioned and dated.
However I do believe that this is how serious crimes were investigated and reported at the time the murder was committed.
Recommended
The Progress of a Crime by Julian Symons, A Fireworks Night Mystery is a police story investigating a murder on Fireworks Night and then another murder of one of the young men part of the police investigation.
Reading the story now makes the police and the newspapers look very old fashioned and dated.
However I do believe that this is how serious crimes were investigated and reported at the time the murder was committed.
Recommended
January 1, 2025
The version I read was the British Library Crime Classics and I MUST remember to read the preface/intro to these editions (here by Martin Edwards) after I have read the book as it was somewhat of a spoiler to the book.
I enjoyed this, but the ending felt rushed. The protagonist perspective of a crime journalist tangentially involved was unique and worked in places but didn't allow for huge depth of character development which was a shame.
I enjoyed this, but the ending felt rushed. The protagonist perspective of a crime journalist tangentially involved was unique and worked in places but didn't allow for huge depth of character development which was a shame.
December 8, 2020
A nicely-paced crime story, for better or worse very much of its time, told largely from the perspective of a green young reporter on the local newspaper.
The add-on is a rather unpleasant bit of suburban snobbery with violence.
The add-on is a rather unpleasant bit of suburban snobbery with violence.
Read
July 23, 2019PR6037.Y5 . ACFrost
December 2, 2020
This one wasn’t for me. Drear rather than noir.
December 7, 2020
Meh - it was Ok - it felt deeply rooted in that 60s gritty realism but really the characters were largely unlikeable and I didn't ever really care about the outcome
April 9, 2021
Very polished writing. The angst of disaffected youth in 1950s London suburbia, and the system that stifles them. Somewhat cynical look at newspaper life, criminal justice. One aspect of interest was the complicity of media in this system. A bit dreary.
July 17, 2021
Excellent. Like a kitchen sink drama, written in 1960 so authentic throughout.
August 12, 2021
a pleasant read with plausible outcome.
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