1937 sign-up page

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Every month at Past Offences I host a round-up of book and film reviews relating to a particular year in crime fiction. For March I have chosen the year 1937, recently identified by JJ at the Invisible Event as the … Continue reading →

Edwards, Martin: The Golden Age of Murder

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Just a quick note that my review of Martin Edwards’ The Golden Age of Murder has just appeared at Eurocrime. A very timely book, given the seemingly massive resurgence of interest in classic crime fiction, and a great Christmas gift … Continue reading →

Just the Facts: Julian Symons’ Bloody Murder

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Bloody Murder – From the Detective Story to the Crime Novel: A History Julian Symons First published in the UK Faber and Faber Ltd, 1972 This edition 1975, Penguin ISBN: 0140037942 270 pages I continue my occasional series on non-fiction books … Continue reading →

Dorothy L. Sayers: Strong Poison

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Strong Poison Dorothy L. Sayers First published in the UK 1930, Victor Gollancz Ltd This edition 2003, New English Library ISBN: 9780450013928 304 pages Score 5/5 ‘There were crimson roses on the bench; they looked like splashes of blood.’ ‘The judge … Continue reading →

Murder Must Advertise: The Mustard Club

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I mentioned at the end of my recent Dorothy L. Sayers review that she drew on her own experiences as a copywriter to write Murder Must Advertise, and that she even cheekily mentioned one of her own campaigns: The Mustard … Continue reading →

Dorothy L. Sayers: Murder Must Advertise

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Murder Must Advertise Dorothy L. Sayers First published in the UK 1933, Gollancz This edition 1953, Gollancz ISBN: N/A Score 4/5 I bought this unassuming edition for £2 from the excellent Dormouse Bookshop on Elm Hill, Norwich – where there … Continue reading →

Freeling, Crispin, Allingham and others bought up by PFD

The literary agency PFD has bought rights to many classic crime authors from Chorion. A spokesperson said: “These are focused high-profile estates that might have a brand that is more recognisable to purchasers. Our strategy is to focus on international … Continue reading →

Michael Gilbert: Smallbone Deceased

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Smallbone Deceased Michael Gilbert First published in the UK 1950, Hodder and Stoughton This edition Chivers Press (Black Dagger Crime), 2001 ISBN: 0 7540 8600 3 192 pages Score 4/5 Mystery Scene magazine recently profiled Michael Gilbert, saying, ‘Gilbert seems … Continue reading →

Agatha Christie cut down for ELT students

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‘There’s a high awareness of Agatha Christie out there but a lot of non-English speakers would find the originals too difficult. The language is quite archaic, the plots are quite difficult, with loads of characters,’ said publisher Catherine Whitaker. ‘Her … Continue reading →