"Crippen" - by John Boyne Trivia Quiz

Answer: John Robinson

The story begins in Antwerp in 1910, as a group of strangers prepare to board the SS Montrose, bound for Canada. Among them are the talkative Mrs. Drake and her promiscuous daughter Victoria, the Robinsons (a father and his son), and several others whose lives also change during this crossing.

The dialogue in this story is frequently superb and hilarious. N.B. Later it turns out John Robinson's real name is "Dr. Crippen", and Edmund Robinson's real name is "Ethel".

Answer: Matthieu Zela from "The Thief of Time"

Matthieu Zela is immortal, for lack of a better word. He was born in 1743 and, for reasons unknown, stopped aging before the end of the 18th century. He occasionally appears in his creator's other novels as a supporting character. In this story he booked the luxury liner's presidential suite (easy enough - he's vastly wealthy thanks to saving up for generations!) and is sailing with his new "nephew" Tom DuMarquee. Tom is in fact descended from Matthieu's half-brother Tomas who was killed 140 years ago trying to rob a bank.

But unlike the DuMarquees, Matthieu is a nice guy, one who's seen a lot of the world and life and often intervenes in times of trouble. On this cruise he prevents Crippen from throwing Tom overboard one night. Tom had been threatening Crippen's "son" Edmund with a knife (and, had he learned Edmund was in fact a woman, it probably would have been worse), but Matthieu intervenes and explodes at Tom in their suite. Everyone concerned is grateful to the enigmatic passenger. Several weeks later, Matthieu's jaw drops when he reads in a Canadian newspaper who "Mr. Robinson" really was. How could that nice quiet fellow kill his wife and chop her up into little bits and pieces? Matthieu can't believe it. But, as it turns out, he may be right.

Answer: False

Crippen meets his first wife Charlotte in the 1880s when they work for some doctors. One of the doctors is also his landlord, and evicts him when he learns of their engagement - and in jealousy, fires them both. And years later poor Charlotte gets run over in the street...she'd been watching two passersby in love, realising her own marriage was a joke. Crippen doesn't mourn her at all.

He even sends their son to live with his parents, having little or no interest in the boy. His next marriage, to a singer called Cora, is even worse.

She nags him constantly and insults him, and things get worse after they move to London. Crippen occasionally shows up with fresh cuts and bruises on his face. The poor man gets into the habit of inventing stories on the spot to explain them.

Answer: America

Hawley Harvey Crippen was born in Michigan. Even though he lives most of his life in the USA, he loses his accent after living in London for so long. He had hoped emigrating would improve his married life, but if anything it's got worse. Cora's singing is mediocre at best, and she frequently "requests" money for more singing lessons, dresses, jewellery etc. To make matters worse, she sees other men behind poor Hawley's back.

But even then the poor doctor is too timid to do anything about it.

Answer: Another woman is seen wearing her jewelery

Lady Louise Smythson, her husband and some friends are at the theater. So is Dr. Crippen and his new girlfriend Ethel LeNeve. Ethel has worked as Crippen's assistant for years. Now the two are in love! Louise (although she can't stand Cora or her husband) goes up and chats.

It's common knowledge that Cora recently left for America to tend a sick relative, and caught something herself, and died (her husband looks happier). Only later on does Louise wonder why on earth Miss LeNeve was wearing Cora's jewellery. Since when does a lady go abroad and leave her best necklaces and so forth at home?

Answer: False

Although as a young man Hawley Crippen displays a certain talent and enthusiasm for the medical profession, his parents can't afford to send him to Medical School. Not only that, his insanely-religious mother thinks the medical profession a "sacrilege". So poor Hawley has to work in an abattoir and earn two diplomas via correspondence courses.

He certainly does very well, and over the years works for doctors and chemists' shops, but he never becomes a proper doctor. In England he works in a chemists' shop during the day, and as a dentist at night.

But the latter income stops when patients' screams from his dentist's chair are overheard (i.e. if Crippen had been a qualified dentist he'd certainly have known to use more anesthetic!)...

Answer: Her husband's assistant/mistress

To this day the question of who performed the actual murder is unknown. This novel says "He went inside Cora's room" and "He put the poison into the glass". But later it turns out "he" is actually Ethel in disguise! She doesn't see Crippen following her.

He doubtlessly wondered why his lover is sneaking off in disguise in the the dead of night in the direction of his home. When Ethel forges a note about Cora leaving him for another man, Crippen isn't fooled. He's been familiar with both women's handwriting for years! But he lets Cora think she's fooled him, as well as everybody else.

They circulate a rumour Cora went to California to tend to a sick relative. Soon the two lovers tour Europe and decide to move to Canada to start a new life. Little do they know...

Answer: Inspector Dew

When Louise first visits Scotland Yard and hears the names of the four inspectors, she thinks it's a joke. Dew and Frost? But the constable at the front desk assures her their names are real. (Constable Milburn later recalls this "Dr. Crippen", whom Louise is complaining about, removed several of his teeth as a teenager. Months later at Crippen's trial he is probably annoyed when it's revealed Crippen was never a qualified doctor, let alone dentist!).

At first Inspector Dew doesn't believe Louise's absurd accusation a man has murdered his wife.

But eventually Louise's rich relatives put pressure on a police commissioner, so Dew is forced to visit the Crippen home to find out for sure. He can't help noticing Crippen looks guilty and seems to be hiding something.

He refuses tell Dew exactly whereabouts in California Cora is. Dew eventually befriends Crippen, who confesses Cora isn't dead at all. She was unfaithful to him (e.g. he'd caught her and their lodger in bed) and ran away to American with another man. Dew believes him, and sympathizes.

He only needs to see the letter Cora left Hawley - but it can wait for another day. However, the next time he visits the Crippen home, it's deserted and there is no sign of Dr. Crippen or Miss Leneve. Dew searches the whole house, and comes to the cellar, where there's a pretty strong smell. He notices a spot where flagstones have been moved recently. Out of curiosity he lifts one up...and nearly throws up. The smell is coming from a bunch of packages, each containing bits of Cora Crippen's body! Only her head is missing. Soon the hunt is on for Crippen and Ethel! It turns out Cora's head is inside a hat box of Ethel's but she throws it over the side of the boat, so it's never discovered. Inspector Dew follows them on another boat and arrests Crippen before he reaches Canada.

Answer: Edmund Robinson

It must be said that Victoria keeps reflecting upon her kissing Edmund/Ethel as the most enjoyable of her life - even after learning he was a she! It's also worth noting: in America Victoria's obese mother tries to set her up with the son of a wealthy family - but Victoria's more interested in the young man's sister...

Answer: Not Guilty

Once again, readers are surprised to learn it's actually Ethel being discussed, not Crippen. Ethel is found not guilty, but she meets Crippen one last time before his execution. He assures her he has never been happier. She is crying, wishing she had confessed he hadn't committed the actual murder.

But he just smiles and shakes his head. He's happier dying loved, than he's ever been before. Ethel very nearly confesses but Hawley stops her. For one thing he doesn't want to live without her - and for another he'd probably swing for being an accessory anyway.

He wants his one true love to go on living and be happy.