Fannish Fifty: British Library Crime Classics

[smallhobbit]

For someone like me who's a great fan of the Golden Age of Detective stories (basically between the two world wars, but creeping on a bit longer) the books issued by the British Library Crime Classics are brilliant.  These are re-issued stories by authors whose work is either not available at all, or very hard to get reasonable priced copies of.  The covers are frequently taken from railway posters or similar advertisements from the era, although may not entirely tie in with the story within.

There's a new book issued every month, with the titles being released twice a year.  I always find it exciting seeing what the new titles are, and placing pre-orders for any which particularly appeal.  There's almost always a short story collection which I will order, and recently there's been a new book every six months by E C R Lorac, which has also instantly gone on my list.  Then, as a fan of Christmas stories, I will add the Christmas book as well, for reading over the Christmas period.

There are currently 115 titles on the list, and I've read 47 of them - I don't own all of them, some I've borrowed from the library.  And today the next one arrived, Crimes of Cymru which is short stories set in Wales or by Welsh authors edited as always by Martin Edwards.  I'm looking forward to reading it.

Comments

[corvidology]

I do love that period of detective fiction so this sounds like something really worth looking into, thanks!

[smallhobbit]

I can thoroughly recommend it!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Ah, this is a good choice for subjects. And (though the story is more important), the cover art is very beautiful too.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, the cover art is always attractive.

[adafrog]

Interesting.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you.

[shallowness]

I'm not such a big fan of Golden Age detective stories as you are, but I am glad this series exists. My personal experience is that I've bought a handful of novel-length books (second hand, admittedly) and liked them to varying degrees. The front page illustrations are always attractiev, although I imagine it might be irritating if it turns out they're not related to the contents. Thanks for the heads up about the new collection, that sounds like a short story collection I might like to read. I suspect it might not have been given that title, say, three years ago, so 'diolch' Football Association of Wales.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, I've enjoyed some books more than others, and only buy new those I'm fairly confident I'll enjoy. Others I borrow from the library or get very cheap second hand copies.

The title has changed from when I ordered it. At which point it was Crimes of Wales.

[therealsnape]

That collection looks so very attractive - it's a trap. You see one, you want to collect them all! Gorgeous.

[smallhobbit]

I'm sure that's all part of their plan. I know I find it hard to resist!

[rusty_armour]

I've been trying to read more Golden Age Detective stories myself, so I was happy to read this post. I haven't managed to read any E C R Lorac yet, but I hope to read some of her books in the future. I like the sound of Crimes of Cymru. I'll have to remember that.

[smallhobbit]

I can thoroughly recommend E C R Lorac - her descriptions of places really give the reader the feeling of being there - and I normally skip through those descriptions. I hope you enjoy some of the British Library Crime Classics - some are better than others, and it always depends on personal taste, but they do give an excellent selection to read.