Translated by Anthea Bell This was our book group’s pick for S is for… Sheep in this case as we make our way through the tail end of our Flora & Fauna alphabet theme for picking books. First published back in 2005, in German under the title Glennkill, and translated into English that year by Read More| AnnaBookBel
In case you missed my Be Back Soon (ish) post, I am taking some time off from blogging in October, to dedicate my energy upon two projects. Here’s a link to fill you in on those. However, whilst I …| crossexaminingcrime
Today I am reviewing Martin Edwards’ latest publication, a non-series title, which also happens to be his first Christmas mystery novel. I have been aware of this book since last Christmas and at the time I was immediately intrigued by the title, which echoes the language of Cluedo, which in turns emphasises the game playing […]| crossexaminingcrime
October sees the British Library adding a new author to their crime classics series, Susan Gilruth. This was the penname for Susannah Margaret Hornsby-Wright (1911-1992). Gilruth was her first married name (she married twice), divorcing James Gilruth in the 1940s. Between 1951 and 1963 she wrote seven mystery novels, which comprised a series featuring Liane […]| crossexaminingcrime
Today I am reviewing the final Nigel Strangeways mystery that I needed to re-read before I could put together another ranked list. I have to admit I have been putting off this task, as my memories of this one were not the best. The Whisper in the Gloom is a Strangeways mystery which has an […]| crossexaminingcrime
Today’s review is part of my 2025 Green Penguin reading project. Julian Symons, like Michael Underwood (who I reviewed earlier this month), is another author I haven’t really engaged with in a while. My last Symons read was in 2019 and I have only read four novels by him (and some short stories) in total. […]| crossexaminingcrime
It has been nearly a decade since I have read a novel by Michael Underwood. Back in 2016 I read Murder on Trial (1954), where someone is shot whilst in the witness box. The courtroom setting certainly added to that story, and I remember enjoying it. But for some mysterious reason I just never got […]| crossexaminingcrime
Today’s read was an impulse charity shop purchase. I have read a few books by this writing duo (Patrick Quentin was a penname for more than one collaboration, but for this novel it was for Richard …| crossexaminingcrime
Today’s a read is a recent edition to the A Very Short Introduction series. I have read various ones over the years, including one on Crime Fiction (2015). This was a particularly bad reading exper…| crossexaminingcrime
Carolyn Keene’s The Secret of Shadow Ranch, the fifth book in the original Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series, takes our girl sleuth out of River Heights and into the rugged, sun-scorched canyons of Arizona. First published in 1931, this entry delivers an exciting mix of Western adventure, supernatural mystery, and classic Nancy Drew pluck. Plot […]| Golden Age of Detective Fiction
One of the most delightfully odd tales in the Sherlock Holmes canon, “The Red-Headed League” showcases Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s talent for mixing humor, eccentricity, and classic detective work into a perfectly crafted short story. “The Red-Headed League” was first published in The Strand in 1891. The Plot Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story The […]| Golden Age of Detective Fiction
Introduction The Adventure of the Gloria Scott” is one of the earliest tales in the Sherlock Holmes canon—not in terms of publication, but in the life of Holmes himself. It holds a unique position as a kind of origin story, revealing the moment when a young, university-aged Sherlock first flexed his deductive muscles. Told as […]| Golden Age of Detective Fiction
This week, I’ll be reviewing a selection of cat-themed short stories and books for #ReadingtheMeow2025. Most of my picks are from the Golden Age of Mystery fiction, which is set between the two world wars. So far, I’ve reviewed three short stories: “The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Carmichael” by Agatha Christie, “The Cyprian Cat” […]| Golden Age of Detective Fiction
There are a few vintage mystery novels which focus on a jury. The first two that sprang to mind were Verdict of Twelve (1940) by Raymond Postgate and The Jury (1932) by Gerald Bullett. Curtis Evans…| crossexaminingcrime
Lana Hansen’s future is looking bright. She has money in her bank account, a babysitter for her cat, and even a boyfriend. Regrettably she won’t get to celebrate Valentine’s Day with her new beau, Chad. Instead, she will be leading a lovers-only tour in France. Luckily for Lana, her best friend, Willow, and her partner, Jane, will be joining her.| Jennifer S. Alderson
