Killing

Author: (English) Toby Litt / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Murder is considered Toby Litt's best work to date. The story is set in a murder case that occurs in London's Soho district. It's a horror story unfolding in a very modern and fashionable atmosphere. Although he is not originally from London, the work is filled with a strong London vibe. The novel has a fast pace and gripping plot, with news reports and medical diagnosis reports interspersed throughout, perfectly capturing the reader's attention and keeping them hooked on the unfolding events. Toby Litt's writing technique represents the close relationship between contemporary British fiction and cinematic expression.
TV producer Conrad and his former second-rate actress girlfriend Lily go on a date at an upscale restaurant in London when they are shot. Lily is killed on the spot, while Conrad miraculously survives. Although the killer is arrested, he never reveals the mastermind behind the plot. After leaving the hospital, Conrad decides to investigate the truth. As the investigation deepens, he discovers that Lily has betrayed him more than once, and her secret lovers all seem suspicious after the incident, as if they are deliberately hiding something. While enduring immense psychological torment, Conrad must also avoid interference from the police and threats from unidentified individuals. The case becomes increasingly mysterious.
On the way to the restaurant, I tried not to think about what was about to happen: It was the first time we'd met since she left me. I walked along Friar Street and felt relatively fine. I thought: I'll sit down at the table with her, and I'll choose what to eat. As if I cared what I ate. As if I really cared about food or restaurants or any of that stuff. Except for her. Except for us. Lily had arrived—standing at the bar downstairs, flirting with the bartender. She looked great, as always. I'd never seen her in this kind of dress—definitely new: I knew all her dresses, even the ones she never took out of the closet. I suspected she had probably changed her perfume.
"Hey, suit," Lily said. It was an old joke—one of those between couples. But in this context, it felt particularly awkward: I only had one suit. When Lily used to meet me in the city, at those trendy parties she was invited to but where people weren't very tolerant of my style, she didn't greet me; she greeted my suit. She often said she sometimes felt like she was going out with a suit, not with me—I was just trailing behind, trying to give the suit some life (and I couldn't even do that well; if anyone else had been there, they would have done a better job). When I realized what Lily had just said, I started to feel annoyed: Lily had lost the right to make suit jokes. If she wanted to reclaim that right, she'd have to reclaim me first. Of course, she could do that. Maybe that was why she wanted to see me.
"Hey, dress."
"Oh, you like it? It's new—got it from 'Ghost.'"
The head waiter approached us. The head waiter spoke to Lily: "I'm afraid you'll have to wait a minute or two; the table isn't ready yet."
"It's fine," Lily said with a smile.
P2-3