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Filled with suspicious deaths in small villages in deepest Devon and on the Cornish Coast, fiendishly plotted railway mysteries, and fatal parties in glamorous country manors, British Library Classics series (republications of the best selling Golden Age novels) present a gripping collection of British detective stories from the Golden Age of crime for the fans of good old-fashion whodunits.

2024 Crime & Mystery Reads
January: The Poisoned Chocolates Case by Anthony Berkeley
February: Bats in the Belfry by E.C.R. Lorac
March: Post After Post-Mortem by E.C.R. Lorac
April: The Murder of My Aunt by Richard Hull
May: Death of a Bookseller by Bernard J. Farmer
June: Mystery in the Channel by Freeman Wills Crofts
July: Death on the Riviera by John Bude
August: Death of an Author by E.C.R. Lorac
September: Arsenal Stadium Mystery by Leonard R. Gribble
October: Thirteen Guests by J. Jefferson Farjeon
November: Surfeit of Suspects by George Bellairs
December: Smallbone Deceased by Michael Gilbert


Lesle's Optional Swaps:
The Widow of Bath by Margot Bennett
Castle Skull: A Rhineland Mystery by John Dickson Carr
The Christmas Egg by Mary Kelly
Mystery in White by J. Jefferson Farjeon

Lesle's Optional Swap list: it will work as one continuous thread, that you can comment on which Author/Book you are reading and any comments along the way.

I've read a few of these crime classics. I'll choose the first 3 that I have listed as "Want to Read."

The Poisoned Chocolates Case by Anthony Berkeley
Thirteen Guests by J. Jefferson Farjeon
Bats in the Belfry by E.C.R. Lorac

What a wonderful idea! Here are my want to reads:

Arsenal Stadium Mystery by Leonard R. Gribble

Death on the Riviera by John Bude

Surfeit of Suspects by George Bellairs

I actually have heard of a couple of these before Melanie and Kathy mentioned them. Disappointed about the Poisoned Chocolates though. Who would want to poison chocolate?

I have not really thought much after everyone picks their reads, so up for suggestions too!

Posted

I've read all of these and will gladly reread any and all of them!

Great Rosemarie!

I think the updated version is around 122 novels and some of these are collections, which would be interesting!

I love this topic! (been a little while since I posted)

How about:
Death of an Author

Mystery in the Channel

Smallbone Deceased

Breezy wrote: "I love this topic! (been a little while since I posted)..."

Thank you Breezy, Im happy to add them to the list!

Have you had time to look at the list yet? Some great and interesting authors are in this grouping!

The books by Edmund Crispin are a lot of fun. I also really enjoy the Lord Peter books by Dorothy L. Sayers.

Thank you Rosemarie for the Author suggestions.

I have ordered two books so far and hoping to discover a new author as well!

We have 9 suggestions so far.

Anyone else have some thoughts?

A Chave de Vidro by Dashiell Hammett

Anything by Dashiell Hammett.

Rosemarie and Luis I cannot find Dashiell Hammett listed under the British Library Crime Classics??

Lesle wrote: "Rosemarie and Luis I cannot find Dashiell Hammett listed under the British Library Crime Classics??"

Weird ... very weird.

³¢³Üí²õ wrote: "Weird ... very weird."

Not sure you if you know Luis it is an actual reproduction of each of the books. The British Library Crime Classics launched in the U.K. in 2014, and the following year, Poisoned Pen Press brought the line to the U.S.
To date, there are nearly 120 books that are reproduced.

Let me see if I can get a list of sorts put together.

³¢³Üí²õ wrote: "Lesle wrote: "Rosemarie and Luis I cannot find Dashiell Hammett listed under the British Library Crime Classics??"

Weird ... very weird."

Dashiell Hammett is American.

Melanie wrote: "Dashiell Hammett is American."

Yes he is but not part of the British Library Crime Classic Novels.

He can be suggested for the 2024 Author suggestions:
/topic/show/...

British Library Crime Classics (122)

The 12.30 from Croydon by Freeman Wills Crofts
Antidote to Venom by Freeman Wills Crofts
The Arsenal Stadium Mystery by Leonard Gribble
Bats in the Belfry by E.C.R. Lorac
The Belting Inheritance by Julian Symons
Blood on the Tracks by Martin Edwards
The Body in the Dumb River by George Bellairs
Calamity in Kent by John Rowland
Capital Crimes: London Mysteries by Martin Edwards
Castle Skull by John Dickson Carr
Checkmate to Murder by E.C.R. Lorac
The Cheltenham Square Murder by John Bude
The Chianti Flask by Marie Belloc Lowndes
The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories by Martin Edwards
The Christmas Egg by Mary Kelly
The Colour of Murder by Julian Symons
Continental Crimes by Martin Edwards
The Cornish Coast Murder by John Bude
The Corpse in the Waxworks by John Dickson Carr
Crimson Snow: Winter Mysteries by Martin Edwards
Crook o' Lune by E.C.R. Lorac
Crossed Skis by Carol Carnac
The Dead Shall be Raised and Murder of a Quack by George Bellairs
Death Has Deep Roots: A Second World War Mystery by Michael Gilbert
Death in Captivity by Michael Gilbert
Death in Fancy Dress by Anthony Gilbert
Death In The Tunnel by Miles Burton
Death in White Pyjamas & Death Knows No Calendar by John Bude
Death Makes a Prophet by John Bude
Death of a Bookseller by Bernard J. Farmer
Death of a Busybody by George Bellairs
Death of an Airman by Christopher St. John Sprigg
Death of an Author by E.C.R. Lorac
Death of Anton by Alan Melville
Death of Jezebel by Christianna Brand
Death Of Mr Dodsley by John Ferguson
Death on the Cherwell by Mavis Doriel Hay
Death on the Down Beat: An Orchestral Fantasy of Detection by Sebastian Farr
Death on the Riviera by John Bude
Deep Waters: Mysteries on the Waves by Martin Edwards
The Division Bell Mystery by Ellen Wilkinson
Due to a Death by Mary Kelly
The Edinburgh Mystery: And Other Tales of Scottish Crime by Martin Edwards
Excellent Intentions by Richard Hull
Family Matters by Anthony Rolls
Fell Murder by E.C.R. Lorac
The Female Detective by Andrew Forrester
Final Acts: Theatrical Mysteries by Martin Edwards
Fire in the Thatch by E.C.R. Lorac
Foreign Bodies by Martin Edwards
Green for Danger by Christianna Brand
Guilty Creatures: A Menagerie of Mysteries by Martin Edwards
He Who Whispers by John Dickson Carr
The Hog's Back Mystery by Freeman Wills Crofts
The Incredible Crime by Lois Austen-Leigh
It Walks By Night by John Dickson Carr
Jumping Jenny by Anthony Berkeley
The Lady Vanishes by Ethel Lina White
The Lake District Murder by John Bude
The Long Arm of the Law by Martin Edwards
The Lost Gallows by John Dickson Carr
The Man Who Didn't Fly by Margot Bennett
The Measure of Malice: Scientific Mysteries by Martin Edwards
The Methods of Sergeant Cluff by Gil North
Miraculous Mysteries: Locked Room Mysteries and Impossible Crimes by Martin Edwards
Mr Bazalgette's Agent by Leonard Merrick
Murder After Christmas by Rupert Latimer
Murder at the Manor: Country House Mysteries by Martin Edwards
Murder by Matchlight by E.C.R. Lorac
Murder by the Book: Mysteries for Bibliophiles by Martin Edwards
Murder in Piccadilly by Charles Kingston
Murder in the Basement by Anthony Berkeley
Murder in the Mill-Race by E.C.R. Lorac
Murder in the Museum by John Rowland
Murder of a Lady by Anthony Wynne
The Murder of My Aunt by Richard Hull
Murder Underground by Mavis Doriel Hay
Murder's a Swine by Nap Lombard
Murderer's Mistake by E.C.R. Lorac
The Mysterious Mr Badman by W. F. Harvey
Mystery In The Channel by Freeman Wills Crofts
Mystery in White by J. Jefferson Farjeon
The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Warren Adams
The Pocket Detective 2: 100+ More Puzzles, Brainteasers and Conundrums by Kate Jackson
The Pocket Detective: 100+ Puzzles by Kate Jackson
The Poisoned Chocolates Case by Anthony Berkeley
The Port of London Murders by Josephine Bell
Portrait of a Murderer by Anne Meredith
Post After Post-Mortem by E.C.R. Lorac
The Problem of the Green Capsule by John Dickson Carr
The Progress of a Crime by Julian Symons
Quick Curtain by Alan Melville
Resorting to Murder: Holiday Mysteries by Martin Edwards
The Santa Klaus Murder by Mavis Doriel Hay
Scarweather by Anthony Rolls
A Scream in Soho by John G. Brandon
The Seat of the Scornful by John Dickson Carr
The Secret of High Eldersham by Miles Burton
Sergeant Cluff Stands Firm by Gil North
Serpents in Eden: Countryside Crimes by Martin Edwards
Settling Scores: Sporting Mysteries by Martin Edwards
Seven Dead by J. Jefferson Farjeon
Silent Nights: Christmas Mysteries by Martin Edwards
Smallbone Deceased by Michael Gilbert
Somebody at the Door by Raymond Postgate
The Spoilt Kill by Mary Kelly
The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books by Martin Edwards
Suddenly at His Residence by Christianna Brand
Surfeit of Suspects by George Bellairs
A Surprise for Christmas and Other Seasonal Mysteries by Martin Edwards
The Sussex Downs Murder by John Bude
These Names Make Clues by E.C.R. Lorac
Thirteen Guests by J. Jefferson Farjeon
Till Death Do Us Part by John Dickson Carr
Twice Round the Clock by Billie Houston
Two-Way Murder by E.C.R. Lorac
Verdict of Twelve by Raymond Postgate
Weekend at Thrackley by Alan Melville
The White Priory Murders by Carter Dickson
Who Killed Father Christmas?: And Other Seasonal Mysteries: 118 by Martin Edwards
The Widow of Bath by Margot Bennett
The Woman in the Wardrobe by Peter Shaffer
The Z Murders by J. Jefferson Farjeon

Thanks for explaining in more detail, Lesle- and posting the list!
It helps a lot.

Above is the list, with your choices crossed off. Msg 2 still will have the main list that are requested for next year.

Here is the link to the Book Covers and if you click on it, it will give you a like the flap of a dust jacket of the plot. Enjoy the find! :

Once I discovered the list I was excited that it would provide us with know and unknown authors. The link above is great for discovering.

It's not a genre I'm particularly interested in - but I don't think I recognise a single author on that list in msg 21. I wonder how well they have sold since 2014?

Thank you all for your clarifications!

John wrote: "It's not a genre I'm particularly interested in - but I don't think I recognise a single author on that list in msg 21. I wonder how well they have sold since 2014?"

John, you don’t recognize Margot Bennett or Anthony Wynne?

These are Authors from the Golden Age of Detectives and Mysteries. Here are a few:

E.C.R. Lorac Edith Caroline Rivett (6 May 1894 � 2 July 1958) was a British crime writer, books feature her main series character, Chief Inspector Robert Macdonald, a "London Scot" and an avowed bachelor with a love for walking in the English countryside.

Kenneth Martin Edwards (born 7 July 1955) is a British crime novelist, whose work has won multiple awards including lifetime achievement awards including the Crime Writers' Association's Diamond Dagger, the highest honour in British crime writing.

John Dickson Carr (November 30, 1906 � February 27, 1977) was an American author of detective stories, He lived in England for a number of years, and is often grouped among "British-style" mystery writers. Most (though not all) of his novels had English settings, especially country villages and estates, and English characters. complex, plot-driven stories in which the puzzle is paramount and master of the so-called locked room mystery, in which a detective solves apparently impossible crimes.

Margot Bennett (19 January 1912 � 6 December 1980) was a Scottish-born screenwriter and author of crime and thriller novels. In early 1964, she was the second female writer to be associated with Doctor Who. Her novel The Man Who Didn't Fly was nominated for a Gold Dagger Award.

J. Jefferson Farjeon Joseph Jefferson Farjeon (4 June 1883 � 6 June 1955) was an English crime and mystery novelist, playwright and screenwriter. His father, brother and sister also developed successful careers in the literary world. Farjeon's crime novels were admired by Dorothy L. Sayers, who called him "unsurpassed for creepy skill in mysterious adventures".

The British Library is a research library in London that is the national library of the United Kingdom. It is one of the largest libraries in the world. It is estimated to contain between 170 and 200 million items from many countries. As a legal deposit library, the British Library receives copies of all books produced in the United Kingdom and Ireland, including a significant proportion of overseas titles distributed in the UK...Wikipedia

The British Library Crime Classics is new to me. I won't vote but will read whatever is chosen. 😃

Blueberry wrote: "The British Library Crime Classics is new to me. I won't vote but will read whatever is chosen. 😃"

That's ok Blueberry. It is new to me as well. Just thought it would be interesting to read some unknown authors for me.

Mystery and detective reads are something we have not delved into too much so thought it might be fun as well.

The books have the best covers-mostly vintage travel posters.

Rosemarie, I agree. I've just started by E.C.R. Lorac, and the cover is gorgeous.

Lesle wrote: "Blueberry wrote: "The British Library Crime Classics is new to me. I won't vote but will read whatever is chosen. 😃"

That's ok Blueberry. It is new to me as well. Just thought it would be interest..."

Mystery is my most read genre so I'm sure I will enjoy some.

Melanie wrote: "John wrote: "It's not a genre I'm particularly interested in - but I don't think I recognise a single author on that list in msg 21. I wonder how well they have sold since 2014?"

John, you don’t recognize Margot Bennett or Anthony Wynne?"

They're all new names to me, too, John. A few names do ring a bell but it's probably because I know other authors with the same last name. Margot Bennett and Anthony Wynne are definitely new to me

John and Brian, that's fine - hope you enjoy reading these classics!

Melanie wrote: "John and Brian, that's fine - hope you enjoy reading these classics!"

I'm not a mystery buff but have been reading the Cadfael and Poirot classics. I could try Lorac's Macdonald series, though.

I do like the covers of the British Library Classic series. They resemble the New York Review of Books Classics which I like. As Rosemarie mentions, by using vintage travel posters the BLC achieves consistently pleasing artsy covers:
BLC's: NYRB's:

The first book in the series I read was Death on the Cherwell by Mavis Doriel Hay. I was drawn to the cover and the book didn't disappoint. It was a good mystery.

I love the British Library Crime Classics series. They feature vintage authors who write great puzzles, but were overshadowed by the Big Three.
My suggestions are, if I had really to choose among them,
1 The Murder of My Aunt by John Hull
2 Post After Post-mortem by ECR Lorac
3 Death of a Bookseller by Bernard J Farmer

Mbuye wrote: " Death of a Bookseller by Bernard J Farmer..."

On my goodness Mbuye, I was just looking at this one this morning!

Msg 2 and 20 updated.

The covers are amazing! I did not know they were travel posters! Makes them even more interesting.

Melanie wrote: "John and Brian, that's fine - hope you enjoy reading these classics!"

I stand corrected Melanie - I've read The Man Who Didn't Fly by Margot Bennett. I think someone mentioned it last year during the Scottish authors buddy read, and I read it then - I guess it didn't make much of an impression on me. So, I'll try The Widow of Bath as part of this challenge.

I will likely read Post After Post-Mortem if it is chosen and probably if it isn't. While it is #11 in E.C.R. Lorac's Robert Macdonald series, the first 10 in the series have few ratings, some with one or two, indicating they are pretty much ignored. Thus at #11, PAPM is the earliest Macdonald that is read and, for me, that makes it the right choice as my first Lorac/Macdonald novel.
Having a Myube recommendation, a cool title and a gorgeous cover also help:

It appears we have our list for next year! See message 2.

If anyone had an additional thought please let me know before I make the list set. I will see if I can work it in.

Thank you everyone for the awesome support for this list!

Message One has been updated for next years read.

I hope we have reads full of Mystery, Crimes and great Detective work!

Lesle wrote: "Message One has been updated for next years read.

I hope we have reads full of Mystery, Crimes and great Detective work!"

I am excited about this list (Message One)! My library has a lot of them. I am checking to see which I need to get myself.

Thank you for all your work on this, Lesle!

Jennifer I have purchased several of them before we started this venture.
Do you have many? I might have a half dozen. Not sure which ones on the list to get.

Oh dear Jennifer I did not realize it did not copy over correctly. I have some fixin to do!

Well not sure if my editor Member Brian saw this, I imagine not, since I did not get a private message letting me know of the line up being out of order and September letters being transposed :-)

Fixed

Jennifer here are the eight I have:

Mystery in White (my first purchase...thinking Rosemarie referred this
Murder at the Manor
Murder of a Lady
Death of a Busybody
Death of a Bookseller
The Lost Gallows
Castle Skull
The Christmas Egg

I have not decided yet which others I am getting that are on the list.

Lesle wrote: "Well not sure if my editor Member Brian saw this, I imagine not, since I did not get a private message letting me know of the line up being out of order and September letters being transposed :-)..."

Oh, I saw it. It's just that I'm on strike until you come through with that pay raise.

Brian E wrote: "Oh, I saw it. It's just that I'm on strike until you come through with that pay raise..."

This is one of those comments that deserves a "like" button or reaction emoticons! 😂

Brian E wrote: "Oh, I saw it. It's just that I'm on strike until you come through with that pay raise...."

Hahaha!!!
You do realize that increases are based on past performances?