Fatal Fascination. A Choice Of Crime

BALSHIN, NIGEL, C. S. FORESTER, ERIC LINKLATER, & CHRISTOPHER SYKES

Publication: Hutchinson of London, 1964, London

First edition. Fine, bright, square copy in fine dust jacket. Four authors of great distinction, who are not specialists in the field of crime, have responded to an invitation to write on a crime or criminal that has long been of interest to them. Nigel Balchin takes as his choice the story of BURNT NJAL, THE IRREDEEMABLE CRIME, set a thousand years ago in Iceland. C. S. Forester's choice is the traitor, William Joyce, otherwise known as Lord Haw-Haw. "In 1566 Mary, Queen of Scots, in company with Bothwell, plotted the murder of Darnley. Eric Linklater in his fascinating study, which is a first class piece of historical detection, refutes this often made statement and suggests an alternative explanation." Christopher Sykes examines the psychological aspect of the murder of the Duke of Enghien, a descendant of the Grand Conde and the last of his male heirs on March 21st 1804. The murderer in chief was Napoleon aided and abetted among others by Talleyrand. A fascinating and very entertaining read.