I’ve read all of John Creasey’s novels about Chief Inspector George Gideon of Scotland Yard (written under his “J. J. Marric” psuedonym). Although Creasey wrote hundreds of novels, Anthony Boucher called his Gideon’s Day Creasey’s best book. HFR Keating included Gideon’s Work in his 100 Best Crime and Mystery Books. The Mystery Writers of America awarded Creasey the Edgar for Best Novel for Gideon’s Fire.
Crippen & Landru surprised Creasey/Gideon fans with this new collection of Gideon short stories mostly published in the 1970s in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and uncollected until now. These short stories focus on Gideon’s ability to understand the crimes…and those committing the crimes. My favorite story in this collection is “Gideon and the Vintage Car Thefts.” Very clever!
Martin Edwards, fresh from finishing his monumental The Life of Crime (you can read my review here), provides an insightful “Introduction” to the George Gideon series. Francis M. Nevins’s “A Reflection on the Life of an Author” focuses on the man who wrote the Gideon series. Creasey’s son delivers some compelling insights about his father in his “Afterword.”
If you’re a John Creasey fan, don’t miss Gideon and the Young Toughs & Other Stories! GRADE: B+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction by Martin Edwards –3
Gideon and the Park Vandal –11
Gideon and the Drunken Sailor — 17
Gideon and the Teen-Age Hooligans — 23
Gideon and the Shoplifting Ring — 31
Gideon and the Pickpockets — 39
Gideon and the Young Toughs — 47
Gideon and the Pigeon — 55
Gideon and the Chestnut Vendor –63
Gideon and the Vintage Car Thefts — 71
Gideon and the Inside Job — 79
Gideon and the Flu Epidemic — 87
Gideon and the East End Gang — 93
Gideon and the Innocent Shoplifter –101
A Reflection on the Life of an Author By Francis M. Nevins –109
Afterword By Richard Creasey –119
Sources — 129
I remember reading one or two of his but not this one. Thanks.
This is a gottahave. Gideon is my fvorite among Creasey’s many series characters.
That was fast. I only got my copy on Tuesday! As soon as I finish my three current collections (Chris Offutt, Gil Brewer, Jean Rhys), this is next on my list.
Like you, I’ve read all the Gideon novels by Christie, though I haven’t read any of the posthumous works “by Marric” – five books by William Vivan Butler.
Creasey transformed into Agatha!
Very amusing cover. I can see how some Creasey might be overlooked, given the vastness of his production, but this seems a very late correction…and glad it’s finally here.