‘Crass. Crude. Cringe-inducing’. And that was just the music. The #1976book round-up

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Every month at Past Offences we review all hell out of a chosen year, and September’s target was 1976, chosen by Santosh. Karen published a handy bibliography over at Eurocrime, with big titles including Agatha Christie’s final novel, the first (and … Continue reading →

‘You’re a big man, but you’re in bad shape.’ #1971book

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If my Mr U. N. Owen-style pre-recorded message goes to plan, this message should be going out at exactly 00.01 UK time. Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2015 is good to you. I’m kicking off this year with a … Continue reading →

The Mystery of the Missing Twins: #1958book

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Another great opening sentence to open this month’s Books of the Year, of the Month: The Mystery of the Missing Twins could never have been solved by an ordinary detective. Which 1958 mystery classic opens with this line? Answer at the … Continue reading →

Ed McBain: Cop Hater

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Cop Hater Ed McBain First published in the US,  1956, Permabooks This edition Orion Books, 2003 ISBN: 9780752857916 188 pages The buildings were a stage-set. They faced the river, and they glowed with man-made brilliance, and you stared up at … Continue reading →

Classic crime in the blogosphere, September 2012

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This is my second month of my monthly ‘best of the blogs’ devoted to classic crime, and my task has been complicated by two factors: 1. I forgot to make notes as I went along. 2. The crime ‘zine Crime … Continue reading →

Sadie When She Died

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Sadie When She Died Ed McBain First published in the UK 1972, Hamish Hamilton Ltd This edition 1974, Pan Books ISBN: 0330240129 160 pages Score 4/5 This was the first of Mrs Offence’s selections. Last Monday afternoon, when he could … Continue reading →