The Galton Case Part Seven

                              “IT’S ALL ONE CASE”       This quote from Macdonald reminds us of how he viewed his mature fiction.  It was more than a matter of economy.  In his best work, everything is related.  Diversions and dead ends are not what...

The Galton Case Part Six

                       SHIFTING INTO HIGH GEAR—LITERALLY     The first five chapters have moved along briskly, and in a relatively few pages Macdonald has laid out the mystery.  But it’s been relatively static.  The plot has been advanced by a series of...

The Galton Case Part Four

                               “A RATHER HOPELESS CASE”       In his study, Sable outlines the task to Archer: Sable represents Maria Galton, the matriarch of the Galton family, now 73, widowed, and in poor health. (Fun fact—according to Michael...

The Galton Case Part Two

                          WHAT THE COMMENTATORS SAY                                                                          Universal Acclaim, Almost   “The writer was right to view The Galton Case (1959) as both ‘a turning point’ and a personal favorite...

The Galton Case Part One

                   The Galton Case—Something Very Special     Macdonald wisely described The Galton Case as “a breakthrough book.” As commentators have noted, the addition of the article showed a recognition that, no matter how important the book was,...