Back to the Golden Age
There were religious types such as Ronald Knox and G.K. Chesterton, straight and gay, conservatives and communists, scientists and artists. There was even, in the person of Freeman Wills Crofts, someone who knew just about everything you needed to know about railways.
Many had less than happy, and often complicated private lives; but through the Detection Club, this superb group of writers found companionship, and a union of souls. A safe place wherein they could discuss their work, and, perhaps surprisingly considering the nature of their work, a truly happy place.
Edwards is himself a crime writer, and a member of the Detection Club, and this is a fascinating examination of the early days of the genre, and the lives of the authors. I loved it principally because I am a huge fan of crime fiction, particularly what was written between the wars primarily in the UK. I especially loved the little details that were included here.
For example - did you know that crime writer Catherine Aird is related to Josephine Tey? That John Rhode was a talented electrician, who wired up Eric the Skull, doyen of the Crime Club, so that Eric's eyes glowed a grisly shade of red at club initiation ceremonies? That members of the Detection Club once had to break into their own meeting rooms with a detective in tow? Not forgetting Ronald Knox, who managed to cause widespread panic courtesy of a radio play long before Orson Welles achieved the same effect in the United States.
This is a wonderful tour de force of writing guaranteed to appeal to any fan of crime fiction. Not only does it tell the story of the often complicated lives of these superb writers, it also looks at their own unique styles and inspirations, not least the true crimes that fed into the fictional ones, crimes that often continue to inspire fiction and drama long after the end of the Golden Age.
From Constance Kent (The suspicions of Mr. Whicher and one segment of the Ealing classic horror Dead of night) to Bywater and Thompson (A pin to see the peepshow), from Herbert Armstrong and Madeleine Smith, both partial inspirations for Sayers' Strong poison while the Crumbles murder both provided the inspiration for a joint Detection Club work and, many years later, a classic British thriller, Jigsaw.
This is enthralling reading whether you're into classic British crime fiction, fascinated by the art and craft of writing, a student of criminology, or simply have an interest in British social history. Edwards has a light style which makes for compelling reading. Highly recommended.
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