Monthly Archives: June 2013

Crime fiction pick of the month: June 2013

Posted on June 30, 2013 by pastoffences

This gallery contains 1 photo.

I skipped the Pick of the Month in May (for what it’s worth, I’d have gone with Cop Hater), but here I am, back with a bang for June. It’s quite a tough, apples-and-oranges-style choice this month, as none of … Continue reading →

More Galleries | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

William Le Queux: The Doctor of Pimlico

Posted on June 30, 2013 by pastoffences

The Doctor of Pimlico, Being the Disclosure of a Great Crime William Le Queux First published in the UK by Cassell, 1919 This edition, 2013, by Oleander Press ISBN:9781909349735 220 pages ‘If this man, Fetherston, has discovered the truth, as … Continue reading →

More Galleries | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Ian Fleming: From Russia with Love

Posted on June 25, 2013 by pastoffences

From Russia with Love Ian Fleming First published in the UK by Jonathan Cape Ltd 1957 This edition Penguin Classics 2004 ISBN: Not given 259 pages He was at the top of his tree. the chief executioner of SMERSH, and therefore of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic mystery book review, Espionage, Thriller, Witness Statements | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Cyril Hare: Best Detective Stories

Posted on June 24, 2013 by pastoffences

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Best Detective Stories of Cyril Hare Cyril Hare, with an introduction by Michael Gilbert First published in the UK by Faber and Faber Limited, 1959 This edition, Faber and Faber, 1986 ISBN: 0571145191 272 pages He was profoundly thankful to … Continue reading →

More Galleries | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Masters of the “Humdrum” – an interview with Curtis Evans

Posted on June 13, 2013 by pastoffences

This gallery contains 2 photos.

Visitors familiar with my monthly classic crime round-ups will know that I frequently mention Curtis Evans at The Passing Tramp. Curt has a great blog, but his thoughts on Golden Age mystery fiction are also available in print: his Masters of … Continue reading →

More Galleries | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Curtis Evans: Masters of the “Humdrum” Mystery

Posted on June 9, 2013 by pastoffences

Masters of the “Humdrum” Mystery Cecil John Charles Street, Freeman Wills Crofts, Alfred Walter Stewart and the British Detective Novel, 1920-1961 Curtis Evans 9780786470242 McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers The so-called Humdrum writers are a deserving group in their own … Continue reading →

Posted in Golden Age detection, Witness Statements | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Barbara Vine: A Dark-Adapted Eye

Posted on June 2, 2013 by pastoffences

This gallery contains 1 photo.

A Dark-Adapted Eye Ruth Rendell writing as Barbara Vine First published in the UK 1986, Viking This edition Penguin, 1987 ISBN: 9780140086362 300 pages In these circumstances alone one knows when someone is going to die. Vera would die at eight o’clock … Continue reading →

More Galleries | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Classic crime in the blogosphere: May 2013

Posted on June 1, 2013 by pastoffences

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Another busy month for classic crime on the web – this time I’ve opted for a mix of ‘repeat offenders’ and ‘unusual suspects’. First up, Mark Frauenfelder at boingboing looked at Donald E. Westlake’s The Hunter (1962) and concluded: Parker fits … Continue reading →

More Galleries | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments