E.C.R. Lorac Books In Order

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Publication Order of Julian Rivers Books

Publication Order of Robert MacDonald Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of British Library Crime Classics Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

E.C.R. Lorac was an English published author known for writing mystery and crime fiction novels. She wrote under a variety of pen names, from Mary le Bourne to Carol Rivett, E.C.R. Lorac, and Carol Carnac.

The author was born Edith Caroline Rivett on May 6, 1894. When writing, she also chose to use the pen name Carol Carnac and the pseudonym E.C.R. Lorac for her books, the first three initials standing for her given name. She was born in what was then known as Hendon, Middlesex and what is now referred to as London in 1884.

She was born to her father Harry and her mother Beatrice, their youngest daughter. Her parents also had two sisters before her. They would choose to emigrate in 1898 and packed up all their things and moved to Australia. Their purpose for moving was a serious one, as Harry had severe tuberculosis and they were emigrating in order to be in the warmer weather in the hopes that it would have a positive effect on the malady of the patriarch of the family.

Unfortunately, the attempt was not to be ultimately successful in delivering a cure to Harry, and the family would leave to return to England in 1900. While en route on the S.S. Illawarra, Harry would pass away and be put to rest at sea, never reaching shore with his wife and children. The family would make it to the city safely, although in the grips of very fresh grief at the loss of their father and in his wife’s case, her spouse.

Once they had returned to the city, they found themselves in dire straights as they had not much to their name. The family did find refuge thanks to the generosity of Beatrice’s father Edward, who took them into his home with open arms. The children and Beatrice were welcome to stay in the home, with the only upfront disadvantage being that the home was slightly crowded.

The author’s mother would soon find employment working as an assistant rate collector.Her daughter Edith would go to school locally and would practice what she learned at the schools throughout the course of her life, working on calligraphy and embroidery and more, some of which were featured at Westminster Abbey in a special display.

Before Lorac was a crime writer, she went to school locally at South Hampstead High School. She would also go to London to attend the Central School of Arts and Club. There she would join the Detection Club, which was all about the art of being a detective or private eye. This only makes sense as her interest in mysteries and sleuthing would inspire many mystery novels and stories in the crime fiction genre!

The first book to come out from Lorac would be The Murder on the Burrows. The story was so well-written that it would prove to be the launching pad for both her main character, the detective Macdonald, and her literary career. She would write for over twenty-five years and received many positive reviews along the way. She would write for Sampson Low and then Collins Crime Club’s Crime Counter Crime, which she would belong to for the entirety of her life. The historian of the Crime Club John Curran states that the designers that did her novels’ cover artwork did a very good job and their work on the books made the physical books even more collectible than they would have been otherwise.

Lorac was able to live and write in settings that were both urban and rural, and felt comfortable in either. She was creative in many ways and also athletic, having an interesting in going skiing in the winter. She had such a passion for the sport that it became a main part of her Crossed Skis novel under the pen name Carol Carnac, which was been published also by the British Library.

The author would pass away July 2, 1958, close to Lancaster, and left behind a tremendous amount of novels and series for readers to enjoy. Throughout the course of her long and prolific career, she would pen 48 mystery novels just under her pen name of E.C.R. Lorac, and over a total of twenty books using her other main pen name. To this day she is an important part of what is referred to as detective fiction’s golden age.

E.C.R. Lorac did not marry throughout the course of her life. She would reside in Lonsdale, Lancashire along with Gladys Rivett, her older sister. She would continue to write detective and mystery stories while becoming beloved around the village. The local people continue to remember her fondly for her strong-willed, spirited nature and her social conscience. She is buried in Aughton at the St. Saviour’s Church churchyard.

The author’s books are part of the British Library, with eight of her novels belonging to the British Library’s Crime Classics series as of 2021.

E.C.R. Lorac is the creator and the author of the Robert Macdonald mystery series of novels. The debut novel in this series first became available to readers in 1931 and is titled The Murder on the Burrows. It was followed by the release of the second novel, titled The Affair on Thor’s Head. If you are a big fan of classic mystery stories or any crime fiction novel, pick up the first book in this series!

The Murder on the Burrows is the first novel in the Robert Macdonald series. If you love mystery, check this debut novel out and follow along with all of Macdonald’s cases and attempts to crack them wide open yourself. From the first page to the last, discover why this book is such a classic!

E C R Lorac continues Robert Macdonald’s adventures in The Affair on Thor’s Head. Everyone’s favorite detective is back on the scene again, and he’s never without a case to solve.

This one promises to be especially complex, however, testing even the sharpened skills of a detective like Macdonald. Will he have the determination and steely sense of resolve necessary in order to solve this case and see it through to the end?

Pick up a copy of this mystery novel to find out!

One Response to “E.C.R. Lorac”

1. Harold and Vikki Meyer: 1 year ago

   Honest to God, for 75 years of life we had thought that we had read everything that all the GREAT CRIME CLASSIC AUTHORS had wrote. Then through British Library Crime Classics we were introduced to one of the finest authors of the ages, right up there in our estimation with Sayers, Allingham, Christie and Stout! What a revelation!! Miss Rivett now occupies most of our awakening hours.
   Thank you so much for re-publishing her most enjoyable large library of detection fiction!
   Forever grateful!

   Reply