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The Golden Age of Murder
- Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
- Length: 16 hrs and 31 mins
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Publisher's Summary
A real-life detective story, investigating how Agatha Christie and colleagues in a mysterious literary club transformed crime fiction, writing books casting new light on unsolved murders whilst hiding clues to their authors' darkest secrets.
This is the first book about the Detection Club, the world's most famous and most mysterious social network of crime writers. Drawing on years of in-depth research, it reveals the astonishing story of how members such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers reinvented detective fiction.
Detective stories from the so-called "Golden Age" between the wars are often dismissed as cosily conventional. Nothing could be further from the truth: some explore forensic pathology and shocking serial murders, others delve into police brutality and miscarriages of justice; occasionally the innocent are hanged, or murderers get away scot-free. Their authors faced up to the Slump and the rise of Hitler during years of economic misery and political upheaval, and wrote books agonising over guilt and innocence, good and evil, and explored whether killing a fellow human being was ever justified. Though the stories included no graphic sex scenes, sexual passions of all kinds seethed just beneath the surface.
Attracting feminists, gay and lesbian writers, Socialists and Marxist sympathisers, the Detection Club authors were young, ambitious, and at the cutting edge of popular culture - some had sex lives as bizarre as their mystery plots. Fascinated by real life crimes, they cracked unsolved cases and threw down challenges to Scotland Yard, using their fiction to take revenge on people who hurt them, to conduct covert relationships, and even as an outlet for homicidal fantasy. Their books anticipated not only CSI, Jack Reacher, and Gone Girl, but also Lord of the Flies.
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Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Pat
- 08-02-15
Doesn't work as an audiobook
I was really looking forward to this book. I'm a longtime fan of Christie and Sayers and other 'Golden Age' authors. Which makes it all the more disappointing that frankly, this book sucks. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt; maybe it's OK as a print book (it does have great reviews), but as an audiobook it's just terrible. I'm halfway through part 1 and I don't think I want to waste another 12 hours of my life trying to listen to this. It's like a bad master's thesis: it jumps around in time and subject between the writers and the Murder Club in no logical order that I can figure out. It's written and read in a very dry manner that does not engage the listener. Every chapter ends with a couple of dozen footnotes that are dutifully read by the narrator. Can you imagine what it's like to listen to a list of footnotes one or 2 sentences long that are not placed in context? I just can't continue with it; it's getting returned.
20 people found this helpful
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- Sires
- 05-09-16
Should Have Bought the Kindle Book
This is a nonfiction book about the founding members of the Detective Club, a club set up by a group of British mystery writers. Some are familiar: Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, G. K. Chesterton, E. C. Bentley, Ronald Knox, Baroness Orczy and Freeman Willis Crofts, some not so well known, and some downright obscure.
I've never thought that Martin Edwards was a particularly scintillating author. I've listened to one of his mysteries and read another. In this case I was interested in the information he provided, but I didn't much care for the narrator and with no way to locate particular passages in the audio book, it isn't nearly as useful as I would like.
Something that really annoyed me was the fact that the author was trying not to "spoil" the mysteries which makes it hard to really appreciate what he was trying to say about the books. Of course I belong to the group that believe that no really good book can be spoiled because it is the journey that is interesting not the ultimate conclusion. The writers of the period appear to have regarded their mysteries as somewhere between a crossword puzzle and literature.
I did end up ordering a few books that I had never known existed though.
14 people found this helpful
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- Gypsi
- 11-13-22
Fascinating
This multiple award winning book studies the early history of the Detection Club, a social organization for mystery and crime authors, from it's inception in 1930 through the start of World War II. Martin discusses the life and interests of these Golden Age writers, such as their fascination with real life crime, their relationships with each other, and the various secrets in their own lives. He focuses more in depth on Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers and Anthony Berkeley than the most, but still includes a good deal of anecdotes and information on many other members.
The Golden Age of Murder is an ode to the mystery novels and authors of the Golden Age (the years between the two World Wars), and it's obvious that Edwards loves these devotedly. Using the resources available to him as current President of the Club, he gives reams of stories about these authors that are enlightening as well as entertaining. He discusses the real life murders that so interested this group, as well, and shows how those crimes influenced some of the Golden Age novels.
Edwards debunks popular myths about the genre and it's creators, as well as showing how current events shaped many of the plots, and further, how these books impacted future crime writers.
He discusses many of the most famous Golden Age stories, as well as mentioning lesser known authors and their works. He is careful not to spoil the solutions of any of the novels, while giving tantalizing glimpses of the plots. I now have a list of new-to-me authors and books to explore.
Edwards also uses his own deductive powers to answer questions about the secrets of Christie, Sayers, and Berkeley. These are, of course, his own opinion and are meant to be taken as such, but he gives sound reasoning for his solutions.
I've seen complaints saying that if the reader does not have a basic understanding of this very specific period of fiction or a fascination with it, this book will be unreadable -- but why would such a one pick it up in the first place? The Golden Age of Murder is, I believe, intended to be a gift from Edwards to his fellow fanatics and I found it to be just that.
As this is nonfiction, and requires very little voice acting, it's hard to really judge Mr. Pugh's talent, but he the performance he gave was exactly what was needed.
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- Nico
- 06-11-15
Classic. Brilliant. Enlightening.
When I read the title I thought it was a detective story. I was mistaken, it immediately became apparent it was the story of how the best kind of detective novelist created the books we see as classics today. It was hard not to listen to more as I found it so interesting.
If you like detective novels, this book will really give you an insight into the minds that wrote the classics.
(Well written and brilliantly articulated)
7 people found this helpful
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- ELISE
- 07-28-15
Fascinating insight into a the authors of the golden age
Highly recommended for anyone interested in the golden age detective genre. As a Big fan of Christie, Sayers and marsh I was gripped by the personal insight into their lives , relationships, motivations and demons. It has made me realise that I have only discovered the tip of the authors from the era and look forward to exploring others featured in the book.
2 people found this helpful
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- merrylon
- 09-09-18
Not true crime --
Actually, a fascinating history of the golden age of crime fiction and of the authors involved; an excellent resource for anyone wanting to create a reading list! The lives of the authors, both major and minor, are interwoven with plot run-downs and background information. A nice, meaty listen performed with admirable clarity by Leighton Pugh, who never loses interest in the subject (and hence always retains the interest of the listener). Definitely recommended.
1 person found this helpful
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- MR WBC GOLDSBROUGH
- 09-21-17
Fascinating listening.
Brilliant research and entertainingly written. Has enriched my enjoyment and appreciation of the genre. Also some fabulous "leads" to some great books.
1 person found this helpful
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- Mrs P. Clarke
- 03-18-22
Absolutely marvellous!
For any detective fiction fan, this book is essential reading (listening). Full of brilliant stories, it provides so much vital context for our favourite Golden Age books. Thank you!
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- Miss Julie E. Ellis
- 04-15-17
love golden age mysteries
loved this book , great authors, the age of mystery and suspense.
read more from the crime detection club
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The Edinburgh Mystery
- And Other Tales of Scottish Crime
- By: Martin Edwards, Various
- Narrated by: Sarah Barron, David Monteath, Mark Meadows, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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From the dramatic Highlands to bustling cities, the unique landscapes and locales of Scotland have enthralled and shaped generations of mystery writers. This new collection presents 17 classic stories, spanning a period from the 1880s to the 1970s, by a host of Scottish authors alongside writers from south of the border inspired by the history and majesty of the storied country.
By: Martin Edwards, and others
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The Life of Crime
- Detecting the History of Mysteries and Their Creators
- By: Martin Edwards
- Narrated by: Charles Armstrong
- Length: 17 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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In the first major history of crime fiction in 50 years, The Life of Crime: Detecting the History of Mysteries and Their Creators traces the evolution of the genre from the 18th century to the present, offering brand-new perspective on the world’s most popular form of fiction.
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Detectives Everywhere
- By Elliott Wolfe, M.D. on 09-28-22
By: Martin Edwards
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Murder by the Book
- Mysteries for Bibliophiles
- By: Martin Edwards
- Narrated by: Jeff Harding, John Telfer, David Thorpe, and others
- Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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There is no better hiding place for clues - or red herrings - than inside the pages of a book. 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. But listeners should be warned that the most riveting tales often conceal the deadliest of secrets.
By: Martin Edwards
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Howdunit
- A Masterclass in Crime Writing by Members of the Detection Club
- By: Martin Edwards
- Narrated by: Malk Williams, Joan Walker
- Length: 15 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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Ninety crime writers from the world’s oldest and most famous crime writing network give tips and insights into successful crime and thriller fiction. Howdunit! offers a fresh perspective on the craft of crime writing from leading exponents of the genre, past and present. The book offers invaluable advice to people interested in writing crime fiction, but it also provides a fascinating picture of the way that the best crime writers have honed their skills over the years.
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Loved it. Learned a lot
- By Josephblu on 03-09-21
By: Martin Edwards
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The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books
- By: Martin Edwards
- Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
- Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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The main aim of detective stories is to entertain, but the best cast a light on human behaviour and display both literary ambition and accomplishment. Even unpretentious detective stories, written for unashamedly commercial reasons, can give us clues to the past and give us insight into a long-vanished world that, for all its imperfections, continues to fascinate.
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An Excellent Survey of Classic Crime
- By Michael White on 02-10-21
By: Martin Edwards
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Gallows Court
- Rachel Savernake, Book 1
- By: Martin Edwards
- Narrated by: Sheila Mitchell
- Length: 12 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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London, 1930. A headless corpse; an apparent suicide in a locked room; a man burned alive during an illusionist's show in front of thousands of people. Scotland Yard is baffled by the sequence of ghastly murders unfolding across the city, and at the centre of it all is mysterious heiress Rachel Savernake. Daughter of a grand judge, Rachel is as glamorous as she is elusive. Jacob Flint, a tenacious young journalist eager to cover the gruesome crimes, is drawn into Rachel's glittering world of wealth and power....
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Light Noir
- By MxH on 04-04-19
By: Martin Edwards
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The Edinburgh Mystery
- And Other Tales of Scottish Crime
- By: Martin Edwards, Various
- Narrated by: Sarah Barron, David Monteath, Mark Meadows, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Overall
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From the dramatic Highlands to bustling cities, the unique landscapes and locales of Scotland have enthralled and shaped generations of mystery writers. This new collection presents 17 classic stories, spanning a period from the 1880s to the 1970s, by a host of Scottish authors alongside writers from south of the border inspired by the history and majesty of the storied country.
By: Martin Edwards, and others
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Murder in the Basement
- By: Anthony Berkeley
- Narrated by: Seán Barrett
- Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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When two newlyweds move into their new home, only to discover that a corpse has been buried in their basement a few months prior, a case is begun to trace the identity of the victim. With all avenues of investigation approaching exhaustion, a tenuous lead offers a chance for Chief Inspector Moresby and leads him to the amateur criminologist Roger Sheringham, who has recently been providing cover work in a school south of London. Desperate for evidence of any kind, Moresby begins to sift through the manuscript of a satirical novel Sheringham had been writing about his colleagues.
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S-l-o-w paced.
- By Anne on 06-14-22
By: Anthony Berkeley
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Blackstone Fell
- Rachel Savernake, Book 3
- By: Martin Edwards
- Narrated by: Helen MacFarlane
- Length: 11 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Yorkshire, 1606. A man vanishes from a locked gatehouse in a remote village. 300 years later, it happens again. Autumn 1930. Journalist Nell Fagan knows there's only one person who can get to the bottom of this mystery: Rachael Savernake. But someone wants Nell dead, and soon, while investigating a series of recent deaths at Blackstone Sanatorium, she's missing entirely. Looking for answers, Rachel travels to lonely Blackstone Fell, with its eerie moor, deadly waters and sinister tower.
By: Martin Edwards
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The Science of Murder
- The Forensics of Agatha Christie
- By: Carla Valentine
- Narrated by: Helen Langford
- Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Agatha Christie is the bestselling novelist of all time, and nearly every story she ever wrote involves one—or, more commonly, several—dead bodies. Christie wouldn't have talked of "forensics" as it is understood today—most of her work predates the modern developments of forensics science—but in each tale she harnesses the power of human observation, ingenuity, and scientific developments of the era. A fascinating deep dive, The Science of Murder examines the use of fingerprints, firearms, handwriting, blood spatter analysis, toxicology, and more in Christie's works.
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Great book for all mystery lovers
- By Christine on 12-18-22
By: Carla Valentine
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Jumping Jenny
- By: Anthony Berkeley
- Narrated by: Seán Barrett
- Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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At a costume party with the dubious theme of 'famous murderers and their victims', the know-it-all amateur criminologist Roger Sheringham is settled in for an evening of beer, small talk and analysing his companions. One guest in particular has caught his attention for her theatrics, and his theory that she might have several enemies among the partygoers proves true when she is found hanging from the 'decorative' gallows on the roof terrace. Noticing a key detail which could implicate a friend in the crime, Sheringham decides to meddle with the scene.
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Please more Anthony Berkeley books!
- By lps562 on 08-25-22
By: Anthony Berkeley
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The Christmas Card Crime
- And Other Stories
- By: Martin Edwards
- Narrated by: Gordon Griffin, Anne Dover
- Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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A Christmas party is punctuated by a gunshot under a policeman’s watchful eye. A jewel heist is planned amidst the glitz and glamour of Oxford Street’s Christmas shopping. And lost in a snowstorm, a man finds a motive for murder.... This collection of mysteries explores the darker side of the festive season, from unexplained disturbances in the fresh snow to the darkness that lurks beneath the sparkling decorations.
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Aahhh... Just The Right Blend Of Mystery, Murder And Christmas.!!
- By John on 12-04-18
By: Martin Edwards
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Mortmain Hall
- Rachel Savernake, Book 2
- By: Martin Edwards
- Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
- Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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1930. A chilling encounter on London's Necropolis Railway leads to murder. At the Old Bailey, a man accused of a 'blazing car' killing escapes the gallows after a surprise witness gives sensational evidence. And journalist Jacob Flint finds himself framed for murder. To save himself, Jacob needs to discover what links these strange events to a remote estate on a northern coast, Mortmain Hall. At Mortmain Hall, an eccentric female criminologist hosts a gathering of people who have narrowly escaped the consequences of miscarriages of justice.
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Worthy of All Rewards
- By MxH on 07-20-20
By: Martin Edwards
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Deep Waters
- Mysteries on the Waves
- By: Martin Edwards
- Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
- Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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The stories in this collection will dredge up delight in crime fiction fans, as watery graves claim unsuspecting victims on the sands of an estuary and disembodied whispers penetrate the sleeping quarters of a ship's captain. This British Library anthology collects the best mysteries set on choppy seas, along snaking rivers and even in the supposed safety of a swimming pool, including stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, C. S. Forester, Phyllis Bentley and R. Austin Freeman.
By: Martin Edwards
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Bodies from the Library
- Selected Lost Tales of Mystery and Suspense by Masters of the Golden Age
- By: Tony Medawar, Agatha Christie, Georgette Heyer, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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This anthology of rare stories of crime and suspense brings together a selection of rare tales by masters of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction for the first time in book form, including a newly discovered Agatha Christie crime story that has not been seen since 1922. At a time when crime and thriller writing has once again overtaken the sales of general and literary fiction, Bodies from the Library unearths lost stories from the Golden Age, that period between the World Wars when detective fiction captured the public’s imagination.
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two stories missing
- By Jerri C on 08-29-18
By: Tony Medawar, and others