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The Golden Age of Murder

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The Golden Age of Murder

By: Martin Edwards
Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
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About this listen

Winner of the 2016 EDGAR, AGATHA, MACAVITY and H.R.F.KEATING crime writing awards, this real-life detective story investigates how Agatha Christie and colleagues in a mysterious literary club transformed crime fiction.

Detective stories of the Twenties and Thirties have long been stereotyped as cosily conventional. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The Golden Age of Murder tells for the first time the extraordinary story of British detective fiction between the two World Wars. A gripping real-life detective story, it investigates how Dorothy L. Sayers, Anthony Berkeley, Agatha Christie and their colleagues in the mysterious Detection Club transformed crime fiction. Their work cast new light on unsolved murders whilst hiding clues to their authors’ darkest secrets, and their complex and sometimes bizarre private lives.

Crime novelist and current Detection Club President Martin Edwards rewrites the history of crime fiction with unique authority, transforming our understanding of detective stories, and the brilliant but tormented men and women who wrote them.

©2015 Martin Edwards (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Authors Literary History & Criticism Detective Fiction Scotland War Mystery Cold Case
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Critic reviews

"Martin is increasingly recognised as one of Britain's most exciting crime writers." ( Liverpool Daily Post)
"Edwards knows his business. He understands how to parcel out the clues and red herrings so as to feed the reader enough information to keep a variety of possibilities open, while making sure to prepare for a satisfying solution." ( Seattle Post)

What listeners say about The Golden Age of Murder

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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.

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Very interesting and informative

Comprehensive account of the golden age of fiction. I’ve become addicted to the shedunnit podcast which revived my interest in this era and genre. Martin Edwards’ book is well narrated and always interesting.
Great buy, I’ll listen to it again definitely.

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Fascinating listening.

Brilliant research and entertainingly written. Has enriched my enjoyment and appreciation of the genre. Also some fabulous "leads" to some great books.

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1 person found this helpful

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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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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.

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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)

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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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