Francis Iles

Francis Iles was the pseudonym of Anthony Berkeley Cox, an English crime writer who was born on July 5, 1893, and died on March 9, 1971. He was a key figure in the development of crime fiction, particularly known for his psychological thrillers and the novel 'Malice Aforethought' where he innovatively revealed the murderer's identity from the beginning of the story. He was also a founding member of the Detection Club and contributed to the genre with his innovative ideas and complex characters.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Malice Aforethought

    In this pioneering psychological thriller, the reader is immediately introduced to a respected English doctor who has grown to despise his domineering wife. With cold calculation, he meticulously plans her murder, believing he can execute the perfect crime. However, as his scheme unfolds, a series of unexpected events and the doctor's own hubris lead to complications. The narrative delves into the mind of the would-be murderer, exploring themes of morality, deception, and the flawed nature of human reasoning, all while building towards a climax that questions whether true justice can ever be achieved in the face of premeditated evil.

    The 1240th Greatest Book of All Time