#1975book sign-up page

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Every month on Past Offences I gather together blog posts about crime fiction written or filmed in a particular year. I’ve called it Crimes of the Century. After 1907 in October, which was a bit of a toughie, I’ve decided to … Continue reading →

R. Austin Freeman: The Red Thumb Mark

When the ink had been rolled out to the requisite thinness, he took Reuben’s hand and pressed the thumb lightly but firmly on to the inked plate; then, transferring the thumb to one of the cards, which he directed me … Continue reading →

Jacques Futrelle: The Problem of Cell 13

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Practically all those letters remaining in the alphabet after Augustus S. F. X. Van Dusen was named were afterward acquired by that gentleman in the course of a brilliant scientific career, and, being honorably acquired, were tacked on to the … Continue reading →

Maurice Leblanc: Arsène Lupin, Gentleman Burglar

His portrait? How can I describe him? I have seen him twenty times and each time he was a different person; even he himself said to me on one occasion: “I no longer know who I am. I cannot recognise … Continue reading →

Rex Stout: The Silent Speaker

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‘For God’s sake. As if this case wasn’t enough of a mess already. All it needed to make it a carnival was Nero Wolfe, and by God here he is.’

Thomas W. Lawson: Friday, the Thirteenth

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‘Jim, there is no disguising the fact that the American people are as helpless in the hands of these thugs of the ‘System’ as though they lived in the realm of the Sultan, where a few cutthroat brigands are licensed … Continue reading →

Robert Fraser: Three Men and a Maid

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‘But what wrong have I ever done you?’ came the frenzied cry. ‘Why should you strike me such a blow in the back, man? Haven’t I been your lifelong friend? Why should you stab at me because you are the … Continue reading →

‘A full account of how to make a jam omelette’: The #1930book round-up

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Every month here at Past Offences, I round up crime and mystery fiction reviews focusing on a particular year. It’s called Crimes of the Century. In September we were looking at 1930, which proved to be a stonking year in … Continue reading →