The Fabled Realms

Review of

The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes

The Lodger
Published: January 1, 1913
Somewhere in London a madman was at large. And then one night there came a knock at the door of a quiet lodging house in the Marylebone Road. . . . This novel, based on the Jack the Ripper murders, was made into a film by Alfred Hitchcock.

As a classic thriller junkie always hunting my next binge-worthy read, I was curious to check out The Lodger – the novel that apparently inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s first heart-pounding film! With the movie now in the public domain (book has been in public domain for awhile), I thought it could be fun to try adapting this vintage tale of suspicion and murder into a screenplay set in the present time… so I did!

While the writing shows its age, this 1917 story still delivers some deliciously mysterious intrigue. When the Buntings take in the peculiar Mr. Sleuth as a lodger, creepy clues have them wondering if their new guest is actually the Avenger killer terrorizing London.

The tension simmers as the landlady’s doubts feud with her daughter’s attraction to Sleuth. And things come to a thrilling head with an ending that hits differently than Hitchcock’s take! While the storytelling leans more quaint than pulse-pounding, it still serves up a nice blend of domestic drama and whodunit flavor.

As far as literary adaptations go, Lowndes’ slow-burn setup has enough cinematic ingredients for a bingeable film or streaming series. Though the writing could use some modernizing Polish, the haunting premise and era still make for an atmospheric, if slightly dated read. For vintage suspense with a hint of Hollywood charm, The Lodger merits 3.5 out 5 stars.


About the Reviewer

PJ Flip

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