clicks into a dead mood and resumes his murder plans. He executes his murder of Netta (and also of Peter, whom the narrative describes as a "fascist" moments before he is murdered) before escaping to Maidenhead. Throughout the novel, Maidenhead represents for George a semi-mythical new beginning, representing a picture of traditional Englishness in contrast to the seaminess of Earl's Court, and the place where he once spent an idyllic holiday with his sister Ellen, now long dead, who was one of the few people who had ever loved and understood him. However, in the closing pages of the novel the fallacy of that dream becomes apparent to George: it is just the same as everywhere else. Now penniless, he gasses himself in a dingy Maidenhead boarding house by turning on the gas fire but not lighting it. Domestic coal gas at that time had a high concentration of carbon monoxide which causes death in a few minutes. Title The title of the book is a wordplay on the name Hanover Square, an area of London that was once home to many late-night drinking establishments. Reception and adaptations Hangover Square was immediately lauded on its publication. James Agee, writing in the Daily Express, called it "a magnificent thriller". Hamilton's friend Michael Sadleir considered it his best novel. John Betjeman in The Spectator referred to it as being in "the top class of English novels". Such was the novel's success that it was rapidly adapted for a film which was released in 1945. Starring Laird Cregar, Linda Darnell, and George Sanders, significant changes to the novel were made, most notably the plot's re-location to the Edwardian era. References External links Novelist John Lucas on 'Hangover Square' 1941 British novels Novels by Patrick Hamilton (writer) Novels set in London Black comedy books British novels adapted into films Novels set in Brighton Fiction set in 1939 Constable & Co. books