Goodbye Piccadilly, Farewell Leicester Square

Goodbye Piccadilly, Farewell Leicester Square is a 1966 crime novel by Arthur La Bern, set in the seedy underbelly of 1960s London. The story follows a series of brutal murders as police hunt for a killer who targets women across the city. The narrative centers on two men: Bob Rusk and Richard Blamey, the latter a troubled RAF veteran haunted by his role in the Dresden bombings during World War II. When the murders begin, circumstantial evidence leads investigators down an unexpected path. The book draws connections between wartime violence and civilian crime, setting its story against the backdrop of a London still recovering from the Second World War. Through its complex characters and dark subject matter, the novel examines themes of guilt, justice, and the lingering impact of war on society.

Very few reader reviews exist for this 1966 novel, making it difficult to gauge broad reception. The book remains obscure despite being adapted into Hitchcock's "Frenzy." Readers note the dark psychological elements and exploration of a murderer's mindset. Multiple reviews mention the gritty portrayal of 1960s London and detailed descriptions of Covent Garden market life. Common criticisms focus on the dated writing style and slow pacing in the middle sections. Some readers found the protagonist unsympathetic. Available Ratings: Goodreads: 3.33/5 (6 ratings, 2 reviews) Amazon: No reviews available LibraryThing: 3.0/5 (2 ratings, 0 reviews) The limited number of reviews suggests this book has fallen into relative obscurity. Most existing reviews come from Hitchcock fans seeking out the source material for "Frenzy" rather than readers discovering the book independently.

The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson A Texas deputy sheriff leads a double life as a murderer, mirroring the psychological complexity and criminal perspective found in La Bern's work.

Night of the Ripper by Robert Bloch Set in Victorian London, this novel follows the hunt for Jack the Ripper through fog-shrouded streets and captures the same atmosphere of urban menace.

The Secret History of World War II by Louis C. Kilzer This non-fiction work explores the hidden psychological impact of WWII on soldiers and civilians, connecting to La Bern's themes of war trauma.

Brighton Rock by Graham Greene A crime story set in British seaside towns that delves into the criminal underworld and moral corruption of post-war Britain.

Death in the City of Light by David King This true-crime account of a serial killer in Nazi-occupied Paris combines wartime settings with criminal investigation in ways that echo La Bern's narrative structure.

🔍 The novel inspired Alfred Hitchcock's penultimate film "Frenzy" (1972), which became one of his most controversial works due to its graphic content. 📚 The book's title comes from a World War I song "It's a Long Way to Tipperary," reflecting the novel's themes of wartime trauma and its lasting effects. ✒️ Arthur La Bern worked as a crime reporter for the London Evening Standard, bringing firsthand knowledge of both London's criminal world and police procedures to his writing. 🌆 The novel captures the zeitgeist of 1960s London during a period of significant social change, when the city was shedding its post-war austerity and embracing the "Swinging Sixties." 🎬 Hitchcock significantly altered the story for his film adaptation, changing the killer's profession and adding his signature dark humor, which caused tension with La Bern who publicly criticized these changes.