Three Quick and Five Dead (1968)
My
review:
Although quite readable, it cannot be denied that this serial killer
tale is far from classic. The plot and pace never escape the
monotony of so much of its ilk: five almost identical murders are
committed, nearly all of victims arbitrarily selected, whom we don't
care about, to tie in with a (largely irrelevant) heresy. (Rather
than going to all this trouble, why not simply murder the desired
victim?) The murderer is fairly obvious from the beginning, but
the characterless Dame Beatrice keeps explaining the truth - over and
over again, much to the reader's irritation.
Why lure the dog to the body, other than to provide a crucial clue? -
necessary for the plot to happen, but unnecessary in terms of human
behaviour.
Image provided by Jason Hall.