This week sees the publication of the paperback edition of The Life of Crime, which is significantly expanded (to the tune of about 7000 words) from the original. The extra space has allowed me to cover upwards of 200 additional authors and works. HarperCollins have done another great job in terms of production and I'm very happy with the result.
It's impossible to write the perfect book and I'll certainly never write a perfect book, but I can say that I do find it exciting to have produced this one, since it's not easy to start with a very ambitious objective and produce a finished work that comes at least fairly close to what I hoped to achieve when this chunky volume was just a gleam in my eye.
I've been heartened by the fact that the Guardian included the book in its 'Paperbacks of the Month' feature, and P.D. Smith said it was 'wonderfully readable...pacey and entertaining, filled with amusing anecdotes. Even the footnotes are worth reading for their illuminating asides...an impressive achievement and essential reading for serious fans of crime fiction.'
I've also come across some more nice reviews. Ink and Cinema said it was: 'captivating and educational journey through the rich tapestry of crime fiction. Edwards' meticulous research, engaging prose, and insightful analysis make this book an essential read for both devoted fans of the genre and those looking to explore the world of mysteries. By tracing the evolution of crime fiction and its creators, Edwards offers readers a glimpse into the world of mystery literature and its enduring impact on culture and storytelling.'
And SFF World covered the book generously, even though I touch on sci-fi crime very briefly in the 700 pages or so: 'Edwards, through his reading and research, pulls together and compacts an amazing amount of information concentrating on novel length works, with occasional reference to short stories, making this an authoritative reference, perhaps the authoritative reference, for the foreseeable future for anyone beginning to research writers or works within the genre, or just looking to fill in a reading list. Being a fiction writer rather than an academic or professional critic, Edwards has a sense of pace and readability that makes this immersive and entertaining as well as informing.'
I'm glad that readers and reviewers have found the book well-written and readable as well as packed with information. That was a key aim, because this is a book I hoped would be read, not just treated as a sort of encyclopaedia that is seldom taken down from the shelf. And of course I hope this paperback edition, which I think is quite reasonably priced given its size, will give more crime fans plenty to chew over and enjoy.
Definitely a book to be read. In fact the real problem with reading it is that there are times you have to put it down to stomp off down the garden or attack the ironing for a few moments because there is so much fascinating information there has to be a pause in reading to take everything in.
ReplyDeleteA brilliant, fascinating, insightful and eminently readable book that never gets relegated to a mere bookshelf but sits always on the occasional table by the settee because suddenly there is something that needs looking up, or connecting with something else. And this is the best place to go.
So anyone who reads this comment also needs to get out there and acquire the book immediately. Because it is an essential encyclopaedia cum comfort blanket to any reader of crime fiction.
Much appreciated, Liz. Thanks as ever.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a brilliant work, packed with fascinating detail. Highly recommended.
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