Requiem for Robert by Mary Fitt is one of those reprints of classic crime stories which have so enhanced my reading in the past year or so. This one was originally written in 1942 and there are references to the war requirements in passing during the story. It isn’t a typical crime novel but I think it is as good as any literary novel I have read in assessing character and motivation.
Robert is dead and it is suspected that he has taken his own life. The newspaper prints three notices – one by each of his mother, his wife and his daughter. This unusual circumstance causes a visitor to the area, Dr Fitzbrown, to work with his friend Superintendent Mallett to determine whether the death was actually murder. They do this by interviewing people and building a picture of Robert and his life.
Robert never gets his say in this investigation, as he is dead, but we work out what has happened and why by the evidence of those he knows. You realise that, although Robert had close family, he was really alone. The people around him were selfish or oblivious and when he needed help and advice he was faced by inflexible rules and a situation where there seemed to be no way out.
This is a powerful piece of writing and made me wonder what anyone’s life would look like if it was seen only from the outside. It’s a sad book in places but cleverly constructed. I highly recommend it.
Anne Is Reading 