My latest entry in Patti Abbott's series Friday's Forgotten Books is a little-known gem of suspense, Bat out of Hell by Francis Durbridge.
First published in 1972, this book was a novelisation of a five-part serial aired on BBC TV in November and December 1966. I watched the original serial at a tender age and found it very enjoyable – it benefited from a tightly woven screenplay and excellent performances from John Thaw and Sylvia Syms as the doomed conspirators, and Dudley Foster as the shrewd detective. My expectations of the book were, however, low: few novelisations make good reading and even Durbridge’s original novels were patchy compared to his work for stage and screen.
So it was all the more pleasing to discover that the ingenious twists I remembered from all those years ago were just as expertly handled in the book, which I would rate as the best Durbridge I have read. Perhaps the reason why the story works so well is that, unlike most Durbridge mysteries, this is an ‘inverted’ tale, a terrific spin on the type of story that Austin Freeman devised and that other Golden Age writers such as Roy Vickers and, occasionally, Freeman Wills Crofts developed.
The added value comes from a startling series of cliff-hangers in the finest Durbridge tradition. Mark Paxton and Diana Stewart are lovers who concoct a plot to kill Diana’s husband Geoffrey. Murder is committed – but then Geoffrey’s body disappears and the dead man telephones Diana to warn her to identify another corpse as his. It is a terrific premise and further shocks follow at regular intervals. Very clever.
Thanks, Martin. Sounds lovely and I wish I could see the BBC adaptation.
ReplyDeleteThe more I read and learn about crime fiction, the more I discover that I enjoy the puzzle-type stories, the whodunits. Up until now, I've basically only read the hard-boiled stuff. Now, recently, I've read Perry Mason, Cool and Lam, and the first 87th Precinct novels. The first two have intricate plots, much like you describe Bat out of Hell. I find I enjoy these more than I suspected. And I'm beginning to appreciate books that are described as 'clever' at lot more than I used to. And this book looks to fit in nicely. Thanks for the write-up.
ReplyDeletePatti, I hope the BBC has not thrown the tapes away, but they did that a lot in the 1960s, alas!
ReplyDeleteScott, good to hear from you. Yep, the book is well worth seeking out, I promise!
I hope the BBC didn't toss the tapes. I'll put Bat Out of Hell on my TBR list. Sounds right up my alley or eaves in this case. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteI remember this. Though I have a bias towards the Paul Temple stories. Paul Temple and a lot of Francis Durbridge stories began life on the Radio. I didn't think that they transferred well to television.
ReplyDeleteRadio made you listen and worked the imagination so that, like the written word, you formed your own idea of how a scene is played out or how the characters looked.
Thanks, though, Martin for bringing up the name of someone who I felt was somewhat neglected - and jogging my memory.
Bat out of Hell does survive i believe in its entirety as a 1966 television "miniseries". it was shown at london's national film theatre about 4 yrs ago (I didn't see it, live in NYC).
ReplyDeleteif someone is interested enough, there is a Mediatheque at said NFT which lists on the net all of its holdings, just maybe this is one of them, the M's programs can be watched in london and elsewhere in England without an appointment or scholarly purpose.
Andy - this is great information. Many thanks. I hope to check it out, eventually.
ReplyDeleteThis and other BBC Francis Durbridge mystery's have been released on DVD and are stocked by Amazon and other websites.
ReplyDeleteHi Martin.
ReplyDeleteBought a copy of the book in a 8 for £1 charity sale! Very few reviews so your post was very helpful. Is it one of the most memorable non Temple thrillers from the Durbidge back catalogue? Many thanks, Rachel
Hello, Rachel. Yes, it's my favourite of all his stories, actually. Of course, many others have merit, but this one stands out.
ReplyDeleteRead the novelisation today Martin and just wanted to say how hugely entertaining I found it! Brilliant stuff and at just 220 pages a one sitting romp! Tempted to order the DVD now! Was thinking my 70 year old parents (who have no memory of the 1966 tv show) would love to watch. Thanks for drawing my attention to the book.
ReplyDeleteSorry Martin,
ReplyDeleteJust a quick question.. Are there other Durbridge standalone thrillers that you would give an honourable mention to and warmly recommend reading? Many thanks, Rachel
Hi Martin, Which other Durbridge stand-alones would you recommend please as enjoyed reading Bat Out of Hell v much and would like to discover more, also, do you know of any other similar cleverly plotted crime classics that romp along swiftly in the same? Many thanks, Rachel
ReplyDeleteAlso Martin, I see these books are in the Arcturus Crime Classics and I see that other authors have produced titles. Any of this series that stand out to you please as I would like to get hold of and read? Many thanks (again)
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel. I'm really glad you liked the book. I think you, as well as your parents, would also like the DVD - you can't go wrong with John Thaw!
ReplyDeleteRachel, as for other Durbridge novels, you might well like A Game of Murder, which is also available as a DVD. As for other Arcturus novels, Henry Wade's Lonely Magdalen is brilliant. There are also two Arcturus books by....me
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Martin. I am going to pick up a few of the books second hand and get the two Durbridge DVD’s for my parents stocking fillers! I have never come across the Arcturus series before and given I read and peruse bookshops and social media for anything related to crime fiction I am genuinely surprised.
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