Hull's vintage mystery is a quietly satisfying read. It is so precise and well-written that, other than the domestic routine of the victim, there is little that dates the book to its original publication date of 1938.

I love novels of that period and found the habits and attitudes of the principal character and the villagers interesting. What sets this novel apart is that no-one feels one whit of sympathy for the deceased, but the court proceedings which dominate the book mush on in their search of justice.

The premise of the book was very interesting and the execution of the idea will particularly appeal to those detail-oriented readers who want to follow the clues and seriously attempt to solve the mystery themselves. I am not that kind of reader--or, I would have given the book another star, but my personal prejudices shouldn't dissuade anyone from exploring this interesting author and well-written novel.

This book is a stunning example of a Golden Age mystery.
This was a great premise of not knowing who was in the prisoner's dock (although the clues are there for you to figure it out).
A highly enjoyable and well written mystery.

This started off with a clever premise—a murder trial with the defendant unrevealed—and slipped into utter tedium about half way through. The ending was undurprising and the characters uninteresting

"Excellent Intentions" is a mystery set in England and originally published in 1938. The novel started at the opening of a trial and then had flashback descriptions of events as seen by various witnesses and the detective. The reader isn't told who is on trial until the end, but everyone is sure that the accused is guilty.

This is a clue-based puzzle mystery. There were only four main suspects, and I quickly narrowed it down to two based on the same reasoning that the characters followed later in the story. The evidence seemed to point toward one character, so I reasoned out a scenario for that character. But that seemed too obvious, so I came up with a scenario that worked for the other one. We don't learn the final evidence that determines whodunit until after the characters have essentially revealed who the accused is.

There was no sex. There was only a couple uses of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting mystery.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my copy of this book! This story is different from other Golden Age mysteries for a number of reasons. Firstly, it starts with a trial for murder, but you have no idea who’s the one being persecuted. Secondly, the court setting is different from other books from the same genre, and the focus given to the judge’s thoughts and manners is really unique. I found the story original without leaving the whodunnit atmosphere of book written at that same time. It’s a pleasant and enjoyable read.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

The introduction by Martin Edwards was very interesting; more interesting than the novel itself perhaps. A thoroughly unpleasant man called Cargate is murdered, and at the beginning of the narrative "the accused" is on trial. Through the prosecutor's opening speech and associated flashbacks to the police investigation we learn what happened and the identities of the four suspects. But which of these is the accused..?

I learnt some interesting things about stamps and stamp collecting, but the rest of the novel was a little dull. The solution focussed on a detailed examination of which suspect could have been alone in a room and at what time, and I lost interest in the details. The ending has a twist which I suppose many people would be happy with, but I'm not a fan. Nicely written, but unmemorable.

This book is different to many mystery books as it finds itself telling the story by way of the murder trial, but without knowing who is on trial. A very unique approached to the book, and it actually works very well, as there are clues of the person - but the reader is never too sure. The character are well drawn for the time, and Richard Hull like to push the boundaries of making an interesting story. People who like vintage crime will enjoy this

Londoner Henry Cargate was the new owner of Scotney End Hall. He was a despicable man. The villagers were delighted when he was murdered. The story commences with the accused standing in the dock. Judge Trefusis Smith has issued the following statement. "...Gentlemen of the jury, it is not permitted to murder even the most wicked of men". Smith, retiring after this case, hopes to encourage the jurors to agree with his mindset. Who is the accused? We are not privy to this information. As the trial unfolds, clues will present themselves to the jury and the reader.

Why would Henry Cargate settle in Scotney End Hall, a mansion secreted in a small village? He had disdain for Mr. Hardy the baker and ordered his bread from London. He had contempt for local practitioner Dr. Gardiner. He would only trust medical advisers from London. Rather than hire staff from the village, he hired outsiders. Cargate purchased poison( potassium cyanide) from Great Barwick, not from a local chemist, in order to rid his garden of wasp nests. Snuff for occasional use was purchased from Piccadilly Circus.

Henry Cargate died in a railway train between Larkingfield and Great Barwick stations, likely, a murder by poisoning. His snuff box was found on the train. Was the snuff laced with poison? The question became one of motive and opportunity. Inspector Fenby, a low key but capable fellow whittled the list down to four suspects. Fenby investigated, Anstuther Blayton prosecuted. Slowly, the murderer was unmasked. Cargate's life goal was "to do nobody any good". His death would not be mourned by the villagers.

"Excellent Intentions" by Richard Hull was written in 1938 during the Golden Age of Crime. Prosecutor Blayton was giving his opening statements to the jury at the trial when the mystery novel began. The action seamlessly alternated between investigation, witness questioning, judge's summary and jury deliberations...who dunnit? A fun, very entertaining read from the British Library Crime Classic series.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Excellent Intentions".

A wonderful, classic mystery style read. Intricately woven and told in such a manner that the floor is perfect and serious you into the storyline. I was sad when it finished. I need to feed more by this author! #excellentintentions #netgalley

*I would like to thank the author/publisher/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for fair and honest review*