Status
Available
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Genres
Collection
Publication
British Library Publishing (2021)
Description
With Martin Edwards as librarian and guide, delve into an irresistible stack of tales perfect for every book-lover and armchair sleuth, featuring much-loved Golden Age detectives such as Nigel Strangeways, Philip Trent and Detective Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn.
User reviews
LibraryThing member MHThaung
Another collection of Golden Age mysteries, this time around the theme of books, writers and writing. The stories are from approximately the first half of the Twentieth Century. The authors were new to me (well, other than A. A. Milne).
As we'd expect from a collection, the style and quality was
It may reflect the time they were written, but I found some stories a bit "one-trick pony," most noticeably "The Clue in the Book" by Julian Symons, or jumping through a lot of hoops to set up a situation (e.g. "A Man and His Mother-in-Law" by Roy Vickers).
And it's a personal preference thing for me, but I wasn't keen on the stories where we follow the murderer as he (almost always a "he") makes and implements his plans and then see what an investigator makes of it. Either the investigator seems slow to pick up what I've already learned, or he (again, almost always a "he") arrives at the correct solution as if by magic. I guess that means I prefer investigative processes and reasoning rather than planning murders :)
My favourite was probably "Book of Honour" by John Creasey. It's set in Bombay, a bit more slice-of-life than mystery and has a feel-good ending."Dear Mr. Editor" by Christianna Brand was also fun, though I was glad it wasn't longer: the style of an incoherent letter was hard work to read.
As we'd expect from a collection, the style and quality was
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variable. The book/writing connection wasn't necessarily critical to the plots. Sometimes I found the editor's introduction and biographical notes of more interest than the stories.It may reflect the time they were written, but I found some stories a bit "one-trick pony," most noticeably "The Clue in the Book" by Julian Symons, or jumping through a lot of hoops to set up a situation (e.g. "A Man and His Mother-in-Law" by Roy Vickers).
And it's a personal preference thing for me, but I wasn't keen on the stories where we follow the murderer as he (almost always a "he") makes and implements his plans and then see what an investigator makes of it. Either the investigator seems slow to pick up what I've already learned, or he (again, almost always a "he") arrives at the correct solution as if by magic. I guess that means I prefer investigative processes and reasoning rather than planning murders :)
My favourite was probably "Book of Honour" by John Creasey. It's set in Bombay, a bit more slice-of-life than mystery and has a feel-good ending."Dear Mr. Editor" by Christianna Brand was also fun, though I was glad it wasn't longer: the style of an incoherent letter was hard work to read.
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LibraryThing member Vesper1931
A collection of short stories all with a connection to books, for example crime writers.
There were only a couple of stories that I was not impressed with as far as they were not that entertaining. But overall the collection is an enjoyable set of mystery short stories, well-written and in the
There were only a couple of stories that I was not impressed with as far as they were not that entertaining. But overall the collection is an enjoyable set of mystery short stories, well-written and in the
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confines of shortness, well-plotted, with its collection of interesting and somewhat likeable characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member jetangen4571
anthology, bibliomystery, short-stories, multiple-authors*****
I knew many of the authors, but I never knew that all of these mystery authors were capable of penning that most difficult of prose, the short story. Each one is a gem and well worth reading. I'm glad that author Martin Edwards assembled
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
I knew many of the authors, but I never knew that all of these mystery authors were capable of penning that most difficult of prose, the short story. Each one is a gem and well worth reading. I'm glad that author Martin Edwards assembled
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these unusual suspects together!I requested and received a free e-book copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
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LibraryThing member Jannes
A fun and accessible collection. Granted, a some of the stories status as "bibliomysteries" feels somewhat strenuous, and a few are more literary curios than anything, the books as a whole is well worth the time of any fans of this niche genre.
LibraryThing member lindapanzo
Once again, Martin Edwards has created a terrific collection of mystery short stories, this time, featuring book-related mysteries. It features mystery short stories written by a who's who of the top Golden Age of Mystery authors, topped off by interesting background details from Edwards himself.
I
Very enjoyable and very much recommended for fans of book-related stories.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.)
I
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love books. I love mysteries. What could be better than a collection of book-themed mysteries? Very enjoyable and very much recommended for fans of book-related stories.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.)
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LibraryThing member janerawoof
Entertaining collection of short stories with each involving books in some way and each with a sting in its tail or a twist you don't see coming. Many stories from the "Golden Age" of detective fiction.
Short biography of each author precedes each story.
Highly recommended.
Short biography of each author precedes each story.
Highly recommended.
Language
Original publication date
2021
ISBN
0712353690 / 9780712353694
Local notes
A stack of tales perfect for every book-lover and armchair sleuth, featuring much-loved Golden Age detectives such as Nigel Strangeways, Philip Trent and Detective Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn.