1500th Post: Forthcoming Release – How to Survive a Classic Crime Novel

So one of the reasons I have posted less on my blog this year, is that I have been researching and writing my next book for the British Library. How to Survive a Classic Crime Novel, is not a puzzle book like the Pocket Detective and the Pocket Detective 2, but a humorous take on the niche literary genre of survival/advice guides. Imagine if you woke up one morning and found yourself in a classic crime novel – death is hiding around practically every corner and with murderous impulses concealed beneath polite veneers it is hard to know who you can trust. We all know from watching countless episodes of Midsomer Murders that any serial killer worth his salt has a theme for his killings, stairs are lethal, and that we should never get involved in a village fete or cricket match. But what about avoiding violent death in the cinema, a bookshop, a bus or even in your own bathroom? How can I improve my flirting and ability to compliment others? Should you lock your bedroom door at night? What should you pack on holiday? What dangers lurk in buying Christmas presents, or going on a date? How to Survive a Classic Crime Novel has you covered, taking you through one day in a classic crime novel. It is packed to the gunnels with expert advice from a host of classic crime fiction authors, from around the world. Never leave home without it!

This is the cover at the moment, although it might have a little tweak or two before June.

My panel of experts include familiar faces such as Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and John Dickson Carr, as well as many titles which are now back in print from the British Library, American Mystery Classics, Pushkin Vertigo, Detective Crime Club Classics, and the Dean Street Press. Furthermore, there are many less well-known authors like Virginia Perdue, Ione Montgomery, Thomas Kindon and Leslie Cargill. So as well as learning how to stay safe in a classic crime novel, you will also hopefully come away with some new authors and titles to track down.

One of the main things I wanted to avoid when writing this book was an endless dos and don’ts list, so a lot of effort has gone into making it more interactive and visually appealing, adopting different types of texts to look at different topics. I am grateful to Joanna Lisowiec, who is drawing the artwork for the book, as these images really help this aim.

The book is being released by the British Library on the 8^th June 2023 in the UK, but I suspect non-UK residents will be able to buy copies via the Book Depository. I am sure you will be all making a note of the date in your diaries!

I had a lot of fun putting it together and I hope those who are kind enough to buy it or borrow it from the library find it fun too.