Anyone who has read Martin Edwards’ magnificent The Golden Age of Murder (and that would include most Golden Age crime fans) is very familiar with the Detection Club: a loose grouping of crime writers founded in 1930 by – among others – Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers, GK Chesterton and Ronald Knox.
It has continued to this day as a friendly club devoted to crime fiction. And this year, to my enormous delight, the President of the Club, who just happens to be that same Martin Edwards, invited me to be a guest at their summer dinner. I accepted really quickly (in case he changed his mind) and in my response didn’t even try to be cool about it. I said: ‘If teenage me, discovering Agatha Christie in Liverpool and dreaming of a glamorous life down south, had ever thought I would one day be going to a Detection Club dinner at the Garrick Club - well, that young woman would have been very happy indeed...’
So this week I attended the dinner. At the Garrick Club – as one of my friends said (yes of course I boasted to all of them) ‘The Garrick Club is a bit like Timbuktu and Shangri-La - is it a real place or not?’
It is real, and stunning. It is ‘a private members’ Club situated in the heart of London’s West End and Theatreland’, founded in 1831. We were in a private room, 18 of us seated around one big table. The food was magnificent, the company even better. I made friends with crime writer Michael Jecks, below:
Who has featured glancingly on the blog before, - this from my entry on boy bishops:
And also met several other writers, including Anne Granger and Kate Charles.
Portrait of Henry Irving
Of course the proceedings of the Detection Club must be secret, but I can tell you that I had the best night, enjoyed myself hugely.
Since I first started blogging, one of the things that most struck me is what a lovely bunch crime writers are – always collegial and friendly and welcoming. This was the apotheosis of that. I had a wonderful time, and would like to thank Martin and the rest of the Detection Club for having me.
Links to various crime writers via the labels below. The photos were taken by me, and up to my usual standard: for which apologies.
What a lovely time you had, Moira!! How exciting! I'm so happy for you. Thanks, too, for sharing the memories and the 'photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks Margot for your good wishes - I know you understand the full excitement of it.
DeleteSo exciting! Loved reading this post. Last year Edgar Award banquet, this year Detection Club dinner. Will next year bring you -- a CWA invite? What a lucky gal, as my father used to say. :^)
ReplyDeleteI know - it really did remind me of our wonderful time in New York at the Edgars. I don't have a bucket list, but if I did wouldn't have even thought of having these great events on it...
DeleteHow cool, Moira. I am too antisocial to enjoy something like that, but I can imagine how wonderful it was. I want to read something by Jecks (and have the first in that series), and I have read two of Anne Granger's books. I also have a book or two by Kate Charles that I want to read. So I am envious you got to meet them.
ReplyDeleteThey were all so friendly, Tracy, that perhaps even you could have enjoyed! It was lovely to meet marvellous modern writers, as well as embrace the thought of all those classic crime superstars of the past.
DeleteWow! Wow! Wow! I try not be envious in life but I deeply envy you this evening. I think every reader of mysteries would love to attend a Detection Club supper. What a fantastic experience for you. I am very glad you got the chance to attend the supper. And your photos are special in their own way.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bill - I would envy myself if it wasn't me. Will be one of my most memorable nights of all time I think. And thanks for the kindness about my photos!
DeleteWhat a lovely opportunity. I hope all the participants made sure to get your advice on what clothes to include in their next books.
ReplyDeleteMy advice is freely on offer to my new friends. I have been consulted the odd time...
DeleteThat sounds absolutely wonderful! Almost unreal. I am definitely green with envy. :-)
ReplyDeleteI know! I simply couldn't have imagined it, couldn't have even thought to have wished for it, if you see what I mean. I am very lucky.
DeleteDid you have a choice of McDonalds? Oh sorry that was the White House.... congrats!
ReplyDeleteVery good! I did have a fun evening, and the food was excellent, as good as the company.
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