published 2022
I am delighted to take part in this blog tour for Martin
Edwards’ new book, which came out this week: The Life of Crime is his latest non-fiction work,
and is an astonishing, mind-blowing race through 150+ years of crime fiction. It
is an incredible achievement. The list of books mentioned in the text runs to
more than 40 pages…
I’m not going to review it in this post - because I am
reviewing it for a national newspaper next week – but will write instead about
Martin’s place in the crime writers’ and fans’ community.
His achievements come under several different headings. He
has written highly enjoyable contemporary crime books for 30 years, and started
up a new series of historical crime novels more recently.
He has been an advocate and ambassador for crime writing in
all that time – he played a huge role in the British Library’s programme of
republishing vintage crime novels (and what a success that has been), has
edited anthologies, has won awards, and is the President of the Detection Club.
He has written three books about the history of crime
fiction:
The
Golden Age of Murder, The
Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books, and now this new book – The Life
of Crime. These alone would ensure his place in the story of Golden Age
crime fiction.
And in addition to all this, he is a delightful person,
always welcoming and encouraging – he works tirelessly for the genre he loves,
and is always up for a discussion of crime and crime fiction, and ready to take
part in any crime book events. He is as interested in the views of a new blogger as in a seasoned old-timer.
There are a lot of crime fiction fans out there, and most of
us know Martin and think of him as a friend to us and to the genre. He is a credit to the community, as well as a superstar!
You can get other angles on his latest work from the other people taking part in the blog tour - do go and visit them.
What a lovely tribute, Moira, to one of the most influential members of the crime fiction community. Martin is not only a skilled fiction and non-fiction writer, but he's kind, supportive and helpful - a truly good person. I consider myself fortunate to learn from him.
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky to have him in our happy community - what an ambassador, and also a genuinely lovely person.
DeleteWell said Moira. I wonder if there is anyone who reads and writes crime fiction or about crime fiction in the U.K., Ireland, Canada and the U.S. who does not know Martin. I am continually amazed by his literary output.
ReplyDeleteYes exactly, Bill, well put. He has given so much pleasure, education and entertainment to us all!
DeleteMartin Edwards is very deserving of your praise, Moira. What an amazing career he has had and it continues. I want to read more of his fiction. I have sampled two of his older series and want to continue those and move on to his historical fiction series.
ReplyDeleteHe is so very talented, and at so many things! I believe he was a very good lawyer, that being his dayjob for years and years. And his love of crime fiction gave him a perfect trajectory to end up where he has. It couldn't happen to a nicer chap.
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