British Library Crime Classics Books In Order

Publication Order of British Library Crime Classics Books

The British Library Crime Classics book series is a series of period-style paperbacks that celebrate the British detective stories from the Golden Age of crime. The series includes collections as selected by Martin Edwards and books by authors such as John Bude, E.C.R. Lorac, Freeman Willis Crofts, George Bellairs, Ellen Wilkinson, Anthony Wynne, Carol Carnac, Anthony Gilbert, J. Jefferson Farjeon, Mavis Doriel Hay, and more. This collection is filled with British crime stories that take place everywhere from the small villages of Devon to the Cornish Coast. This is a great series for fans of good old-fashion whodunits.

For a long time readers of classic crime fiction did not have many options outside of major authors like Agatha Christie. Readers had to hope to find something secondhand or hope the library had an old copy, but even that was a risky proposition. Many of the vintage detective novels of the time were unobtainable. Things are much different today, thanks to series like the British Library Crime Classics. The series has helped to reintroduce authors, novels, and short stories that had previously been forgotten. Now, they are reappearing in the world and getting a whole new generation of readers. The books are beloved for their period cover artwork which makes them great collectibles. Of course, the stories themselves are the main draw and they provide a wonderful escapism for readers.

Martin Edwards, a former CWA Diamond Dagger award winner, is a consultant on the series and has been involved with the series since 2014. The CWA Diamond Dagger is British crime writing’s highest honor and he was selected for it in 2020.

Edwards has helped to get many obscure authors republished. One author that he is proud of having brought back to publication is Anthony Rolls. The rather obscure author was actually a pen name for the accomplished author, C.E. Vulliamy. Family Matters is the story of an eccentric failure known as Robert Arthur Kewdingham. In his middle age, he decides to retreat into a life of hunting for Roman artifacts and devotes himself to some bizarre mystical beliefs. His wife, Bertha, is embarrassed by him and their marriage often features quarrels. Things are not going well and when a man arrives who catches Bertha’s eye, things will go from bad to worse.

One great thing about the British Library Crime Classics book series is that they have taken suggestion from fans about what should be added to the series and given new life. One such author to have this happen is Gil North who had both of his Sergeant Cluff novels republished in the series. The first book is Sergeant Cluff Stands Firm. The story sees a woman named Amy Snowden who has settled into a lonely life in the Yorkshire town of Gunnarshaw. Then one day she surprises all of her neighbors by marrying a much younger man. A few months later, Amy is found dead by her own hand and her husband has disappeared. Sergeant Caleb Cluff is on the case to unwrap the unlikely marriage and the mystery of Amy’s death.

Another good book in the series is Due to a Death by Mary Kelly. The book starts with a car speeding down the road between miles of marshes and estuary flats and Agnes sitting in the passenger seat. She’s bloodied and numbed with fear as her entire world has just been turned upside down. The news of a dead girl found in the marsh is spreading around the local area. As the story goes on, Agnes will look back through her memories of the past few days to try and find the links between her her husband, his friends, a mysterious stranger new to the village and the bloody murder of a young girl.

George Bellairs’ The Body in the Dumb River is another entry in the British Library Crime Classics book series. Jim’s body is found miles from his home, dumped in the usually silent river. The body has seemingly been discovered before the killer had intended, thanks to a torrential flood. Superintendent Littlejohn of Scotland Yard is brought into the case that proves difficult. Many clues of the culprit’s identity were swept away with the surging water. The veteran sleuth will end up on a train north to dredge about the truth about the victim and uncover the mystery of this unassuming murder victim.

Fell Murder by E.C.R. Lorac is another treasure in this series. The Garth family has farmed their land for generations. The hot-tempered Garth is the patriarch of the family and still going strong at the age of eighty-two. Until the day that he is found dead in the mud outside the ancient outhouse. Chief Inspector Macdonald arrives in the north country to investigate the case. He finds a family that is reticent to help and their guarded neighbors of the Lune Valley. He’ll have to engage in a battle of wits with the people of the area if he hopes to unearth the secret of who killed Garth.

One Response to “British Library Crime Classics”

1. Carolyn Bonnefin: 3 years ago

   I have been collecting (& have most of the British Library Crime Classics)
   I have been searching for E C R Lorac early novels. Would it be possible that you could print her books from 1931 to 1935.
   I also love the books by Miles Burton to whom you introduced me, as well as John Rhode ( I realise that they are the same author). Of course you have introduced me to many exceptional authors. Thanks for the many hours of great reading & keep up the good work. This comes from Tasmania.

   Reply