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Book Review, British Library Crime Classics, Courtroom Drama, Martin Edwards, Raymond Postgate, Verdict of Twelve
“It is not the consciousness of men that determines their existence, but, on the contrary their social existence determines their consciousness” Marx
Raymond Postgate’s Verdict of Twelve is a fascinating and absorbing variant of the crime novel.
Published in 1940, and with the concerns of the times embedded – anti-Semitism within society, an entrenched class system, the effects of culture, economics, politics upon the lives and outlooks of individuals – this is courtroom drama
A crime, one which will lead to the death penalty if the accused is found guilty, has been committed.
The reader is not directly introduced to the crime itself, initially. Rather, we meet the jury. And are given insights into the backgrounds of each of them, which allows Postgate, a pacifist, socialist, journalist, and a founding member of the British Communist Party, to present differing internal narratives, to show across class and gender, how the lives of individuals have been shaped by personal events, but also, far wider, by politics, culture, and the structure of capitalist society.
Once any group, no matter what, is separated by a general suspicion or merely a general belief from the rest of society, it is by that mere fact made different, and develops at once marked characteristics of its own
So this becomes a very interesting and well written crime novel. Whilst a lot of the Golden Age writers of the 30s were writing about crime committed by, and within, the privileged classes, Postgate is doing something very different. This is not just an entertainment (though it is a very well structured and entertaining read in the genre) It is educative.
After meeting the jurors, the case itself (a complex one, though the list of suspects is small, and the reader might, from their own sympathies, have clear ideas of who-dunnit not to mention why-dunnit.
Having met the jurors, and received a view which shows us that subjective judgements will play a very large part in the ‘Guilty/Not Guilty’ decision, judgements moulded by character, which is moulded by external factors as much as internal factors, we might be also being drawn into what our own decisions might be, as to the innocence or guilt of the person on trial.
Like most men of past middle-age he habitually faintly disliked or distrusted handsome men, especially dark handsome men, If there was any excuse he would classify them as shiny or foreign looking
The book ends with a wonderful rug-pull, to topple the reader.
I received this as a well-done digital ARC. It is part of the British Library Crime Classics series, a marvellous treasure trove for those preferring less detailed spatter of blood, gore and other bodily fluids which much modern crime writing seems to dwell on, somewhat gratuitously.
Series editor Martin Edwards provides an interesting Introduction, which I read, as is my wont, after reading the book. And was pleasantly surprised to discover that it had contained no spoilers. Instead, it was an account of Postgate himself, in the context of his own life and placing this book within the genre of other crime writing.
And once again, I’m indebted to FictionFan for bringing this to my attention, after I read her excellent review, back when the leaves were still turning gold upon the trees, autumn in full glory, and the need for thermals not even given houseroom!
Verdict of Twelve Amazon UK
Verdict of Twelve Amazon USA
This does sound excellent, right up my street in fact. I’ve already noticed a couple of positive reviews if it, so I’m glad to see that it comes with your seal of approval too. You have me intrigued by the prospect of a rug pull at the end, very interesting indeed.
It’s not possible to reveal any more…………
Great review of a very good crime novel from the Golden Age. It surprised me how it didn’t feel particularly dated. Apart from some of the attitudes it travels to the twenty first century we’ll.
You are so right Cleopatra. In fact it probably feels more modern now than it might have done 15 years ago – I think the lurch towards ‘populist’ politics albeit with different groups being regarded prejudicially, make it feel almost horribly modern
Glad you enjoyed it – definitely one that deserves to be better known, which is what I love about these BL Classics. I haven’t loved them all, but there hasn’t been one that I felt didn’t deserve to be brought back from obscurity and I love that Martin Edwards avoids spoilers. He gives just enough info to satisfy about the author’s background too – I don’t want an academic treatise that’s longer than the book, but it’s intriguing to have the book slotted into its place in the dvelopment of the genre.
And thank you again for the link! 😀
I really like knowing the context, and the writer’s background, if all this can be managed without spoilers, as Edwards does. Otherwise, Forewords should definitely be Afterwords! I think its very helpful to reading in context to know some of this before you start, as in some ways we might need, for best appreciation, to separate ourselves from our own cultural contexts, and enter into that of the time of writing
Lovely review Lady F! I have a Postgate on my TBR (though I think not this one) and it sounds as if his books have a bit of an interesting take on the normal GA crime novel. Looking forward to my one now!
I do believe this one is considered to be his finest., so I shall see what your review of your one brings
I recently read Somebody at the Door by Raymond Postgate which I liked but thought sagged in the middle. I do really like the idea of this one.
Hmm – see my reply to Kaggsy, above. Maybe I was blessed with getting alerted to this one, which seems to be considered his best by quite a long way
I really want to read this, I’ve heard so many good things. It’s impressive that Postgate makes this educative and still a good read. These BLCCs are a joy 🙂
They really are a delight, especially to those of us who avoid a lot of crime fiction because so many seem to start with an along-the-line- blurb of ‘a serial killler.’ And, linked with that ‘…a beautiful woman…dismembered…….brutally murdered’ I LOATHE all this, women as cut up fodder for half disgusted, half delighted titillation. Yes, we know it goes on, but I do think there is a tendency to pander to a kind of rubber-necking at car-crash mentality.
I do like crime writing, especially when it moves away from the obsession with psychopathic dismembering of women, and has either a more personal involvement with murder, and/or is reflecting wider movements in society – eg linked with, perhaps, someone about to whistle-blow. I really like crime novel-coupled-with-spy-novel (as long as the gore isn’t too dwelt on)
I totally agree with all you have said 🙂
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