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Publication Order of Arnold Landon Books
Publication Order of Eric Ward Books
Publication Order of Inspector John Crow Books
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
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Roy Lewis was a prominent English crime writer who wrote more than 60 novels. He is not to be confused with another English novelist with the same name who lived and wrote between 1913 and 1996. Roy Lewis was born in 1933 and passed in 2019.
His real name wasJohn Royston Lewis, and he lived and wrotein Northern England, where many of his novels are set. Roy Lewis was trained as a teacher and throughout his life, he held many educational positions, such as college principal and school inspector. Even though he wrote a number of non-fiction books, the author is most famous for his crimes novels (more than fifty novels) that have populated the imagination of the reader with memorable protagonists.
In a relatively short period of time, Lewis managed to win the attention of a large readership by creating and developing a number of iconic characters. Inspector Crow of Scotland Yard, police officer, Eric Ward and archaeologist Arnold Landon are his most memorable creations in the crime genre. Lewis, widely recognised for his firm grasp on character, is also remembered for his realistic accounts of the welsh and English lifestyles. His novels are a picturesque depiction of the English countryside towards the second half of the 20th century.
He wrote a total of 68 novels, most of which are in the crime genre. His interest in law culminated in three stunning series, each of which is a reflection of his deep concern with the human psyche and legal procedures. John Crow – a series in eight instalments- is his first attempt at formulating his interest in legal issues. Starting in 1969, the series introduces the character of John Crow, a police inspector who would attract millions of readers for 12 years to come. The series was followed by the Eric Ward series, which takes the reader into the world of law with solicitor Eric Ward. The Arnold Landon series shows another aspect of Lewis’ interest in law and legal procedures, through the character of Arnold Landon, a self-taught archaeologist. Eric Ward and Arnold Landon are longer than the first series, with more twists in both plot and character.
The Eric Ward series is the story of a policeman who turned into a solicitor. The series chronicles the life and career of Eric Ward throughout 17 inspiring and moving novels that were appreciated by readers and critics alike. A Certain Blindness, the first novel in the series, was published in 1980. It introduces the reader to the character traits of a novice solicitor, Eric Ward. The reader is led to feel, from the very beginning, the impact of Ward’s police career on his new job. In this novel, Ward is tasked to find the heir to the estate of Arthur Egan. His police training led him to suspect Egan’s fortune. In his investigation into Egan’s estate, Ward revives Egan’s old case of murdering Colonel Denby. He makes a number of visits to the colonel’s children and relatives, including Sarah Boden who is killed right before Ward was about to see her. With her murder, Ward becomes more convinced than ever that Egan is involved in both murders. A Certain Blindness helped the reader to form a good image of Ward as a truth seeker. Such an image will be shortly shaken in A Form of Death, another novel in the Eric Ward series. Sensitive readers put the image of Ward, the man of law, into question when he is involved in both adultery and murder. Ward has an adulterous affair with a young woman who is killed shortly after their affair. His investigation of the murder in this novel is fueled by his motivation to clear his name and discover the murderer. The Eric Ward offers the reader significant insight into the twists and turns of Ward’s personality as he struggles to unveil the truth.
The Arnold Landon series is another example of Lewis’ interest in law and legal procedures. Arnold is a self-taught archaeologist. His mission to supervise the excavation of a medieval site in the English countryside takes a dramatic turn as he finds himself obliged to investigate a number of inter-related murders. The series gives a vivid depiction of a long-lost English countryside. A Gathering of Ghosts, the first novel in the series, exposes the reader to the issue of destroying historic sites in favour of modern facilities. In this novel, Landon fiercely opposes the idea of destroying the old Northumbrian barn to make way for an entertainment complex. It won’t be late before Landon discovers the mysterious nature of the barn when it becomes the site of a mysterious murder. This will lead Landon into a long investigation into the history of the barn to unveil its secret. Landon’s search into mysterious places continues in The Devil is Dead, another novel in the series. In this novel, Landon makes a horrific discovery at the site of an old church when he finds the body of a gipsy who was butchered and discarded. In his quest for the truth, Landon reaches for the local authorities and tries to convince them that the cult members are involved in the crime. His contact with the authorities made him victim to a brutal assault. The Arnold Landon series is a picturesque description of the English countryside as viewed through history. The archaeological focus of the series gives weight to Lewis’ concern to revive the English landscape in a serious of compassionate novels.
Roy Lewis’ crime novels have easily found their ways into the hearts of thriller readers and literary critics alike. They reflect the author’s interest in human nature from a legal point of views. His exploration of crimes and crime sites unveils puzzling facts about the dark side of human nature and the power of evil in life. His novels are stunning in the way they lift the mundane into the object of artistic creation. Lewis has won a large readership not because he appealed to their sense of mystery, but because he has a strong grasp on character and plot. The continuous success of his novels testifies to his artistic and literary merit.
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3 Responses to “Roy Lewis”
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Have just a moment ago finished the last of the Arnold Landon series, enjoyed every one with a never ending supply of interesting characters.
Feeling almost bereft that Landon will have no further adventures in which to share.
Regards
Lew
I assume no more books in Arnold Landon series which is sad. I really enjoyed them and had hoped for more. Each one was a pleasure to read and I have read at least 20 000 books through my life.
Give the best to Mr Lewis.
Kind regards,
Yvonne
He died in 2019, see information on him.