News and Views
In the course of 2010, I hope to expand this website with more information about crime fiction generally, as well as my own work. I aim to update it once a week, sometimes more often. I'm looking forward to a variety of events this year; see the events page for more details. The last event of 2009 was an after supper speech at the Athenaeum Club in Liverpool, with a sell-out audience and a terrific atmosphere in a historic setting.
The Serpent Pool
My fourth Lake District Mystery was published in the UK and US in February. I enjoyed a wonderful launch event at St Deiniol's Residential Library, Hawarden, to follow up a joint event with Ann Cleeves at Goldsboro Books. The first reviews have all been terrific, notably Laura Wilson's review in 'The Guardian' and Tom and Enid Schantz's in 'The Denver Post'. In the UK, publication coincided with a reprint (again using the new series cover art) of The Coffin Trail.
Events
It's been a busy few weeks, with Victorian murder mysteries at Nottingham and Middlesbrough Central Libraries, and talks about Dr Crippen at Acklam and at the Lymm Festival. I also gave a talk about my crime writing career at Darnhill, in Lancashire.
Writing about crime fiction
An article of mine, 'Gory Knight', about the classic Golden Age parody novel, has just been published in CADS 58. My paper for St Hilda's (see below) can be found on the articles page of this site.
Anthology
I'm currently reading stories submitted by some splendid authors for a new CWA anthology, to be entitled Original Sins and published by Severn House. It is due to appear towards the end of 2010.
New Reading
I've enjoyed an excellent new stand-alone novel by Reginald Hill, The Woodcutter and this will be reviewed shortly on the blog. I am just about to start the new book by L.C. Tyler. I am also enjoying The Father of Forensics by Colin Evans.
TV, DVD and Film viewing
I've watched the sci-fi movieMoon and on TV I've seen several episodes of the second series of Wallander from Swedish television.
Best Mysteries
I'm delighted to say that Marty Greenberg and Ed Gorman included 'The Bookbinder's Apprentice' in Between the Dark and the Daylight, a US collection of the year's best mysteries published by Tyrus Books, while in the UK, Maxim Jakubowski selected 'The Mystery of Canute Villa', a story featuring Charles Dickens and Mrs Gaskell, for inclusion in this year's volume of Best British Crimes.
Dancing for the Hangman
The US edition of my novel about Crippen came out just before Christmas. Jon L. Breen has given it a rave review in 'Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine'. More reviews and much more info on the Crippen page of this site.
Allenton
I was honoured to be the first writer invited to speak at the brand new library in Allenton, Derby. I was asked to give a talk about Dr Crippen, and was delighted by the feedback. An enjoyable evening.
Latest reviews
There are excellent recent reviews of Dancing for the Hangman on Amazon, Tangled Web UK online and in CADS, issue 56 Dorte H has just been generous to The Arsenic Labyrinth on her great blog. And I'm also grateful for a nice review in the Mystery Women newsletter of Waterloo Sunset.
Crimefest 2010
I really enjoyed this year's Crimefest. I moderated two panels, and won the 'Criminal Mastermind' quiz. Among the highlights were a drink with Mike Hodges, director of Get Carter and lunch with Agatha Christie's grandson and Irish Christie expert John Curran.<>p>
The Detection Club
I'm researching the history of the Detection Club, and I'd be glad to hear from anyone who can cast fresh light on its early days .
Lakeland Book of the Year
The Arsenic Labyrinth (chosen as one of the year's best crime books on the Books Please blog) was short-listed for the Lakeland Book of the Year Award 2008 and was runner-up in the Arts and Literature category.
Dancing for the Hangman in the UK
My novel has recently been reprinted. It's a fictional take on the extraordinary case of Dr Crippen. The book is a paperback original published by Flambard Press, and following the launch at St George's Hall, Liverpool, just before Christmas, it has received a very positive response - for instance, it was rated as one of the best books of 2008 in the influential January Magazine and was one of five books nominated for 'Best novel based on a true crime' on a blog which rejoices in the rather pleasing name of In Cold Blog. Reviews and much more info on the Crippen page of this site.
Reviews
I've had very nice reviews of The Cipher Garden on two excellent blogs, Books Please and Dorte H's crime blog. Thanks!
British Crime Writing: an encyclopaedia
Barry Forshaw's monumental two-volume reference work has been published by Greenwood. My work is discussed at length in an essay by Mike Jecks, and also touched on in an article about rural crime by Philip Scowcroft.
Great British Fictional Detectives
Russell James' entertaining survey of detectives past and present was published recently by Remember When. He includes an essay about Harry Devlin and has just inscribed my copy of the book to me and to Harry!
Website
I've continued to revamp the site, and there are now sections, on the relevant pages, covering my series characters Harry Devlin, Hannah Scarlett and Daniel Kind. The three characters also have their own Wikipedia pages.
Waterloo Sunset
Reviews of the book (which I'm glad to say was a January Magazine'pick of the week') have been very positive. The latest is from The Strand Magazine, which says 'all of author Edwards' talents come together. The writing is crisp and engaging, filled with clever turns of phrase and twists of plot. The style is smart and witty, while at the same time poignantly sensitive.' Appreciation too from Morning Star, which says'This is a very welcome return for Edwards' original and best sersies character. As ever, the novel is carefully plotted and topical and Devlin is a charmingly human hero.'
Publishers Weekly describes it as a 'twisty whodunit' which is judged 'impressive'. Library Journal says 'Edwards never writes the same book twice; both his plotting and his settings are original.'Kirkus Reviews generously describes me as 'ever the professional' and says the plotting is handled 'densely but lucidly' with 'a surprisingly logical killer.' Booklist says 'the series is known for its wit, solid plotting, and likeable lead.' Mystery Scene says 'Edwards handles a complex plot and a vivid cast of characters with a sure hand...[and] mixes humour and suspense to good effect...an entertaining series.' I Love a Mystery says 'I recommend Waterloo Sunset for those who like mysteries with character and well drawn plots.' In the UK, feature articles have appeared in the regional magazines liverpool.com and Limited Edition, while Crime Time says the book is 'beautifully crafted' and praises the humour.Shots says: 'My four criteria for enjoying a crime fiction (or any) book are: character, plot, sense of place and atmosphere. Waterloo Sunset delivers on all counts.' There are also pleasing reviews from the Magistrates' Association book page ('a convincing hinterland of characters adding a realistic backdrop to the mystery...if you are looking for entertainment you will not put it down disappointed.' In the US, the Readers' Views and Betz Reviews coverage is equally positive.
On the blog scene, there are kind words on two of my favourite blogs, 'Murder in Paradise','Musings from a Muddy Island' (not a crime blog, but fascinating and full of personality) and 'Books to the Ceiling.'
The Liverpool Daily Post has carried an article about the book which features me and one of sculptor Antony Gormley's Iron Men - here it is: Daily Post article
Mensa Magazine
Mensa's UK magazine has featured an article about my writing by the editor, Brian Page.
The Lake District Mysteries
There has been a flurry of positive reviews for The Coffin Trail (including several Amazon reviews) and The Cipher Garden and now the respected American blogger and critic Lourdes Fernandes has made The Arsenic Labyrinth her'pick of the month'. The same book earned nice reviews on Kerrie's Australian blog, 'Mysteries in Paradise' and on Harriet Devine's blog.
More about short stories
David Stuart Davies' recent anthology Crime Scene includes two stories of mine: 'Eternally' and 'Melusine'. I also contributed a story called 'Mindstalker' to an anthology in support of a breast cancer charity, published recently by Creme de la Crime.
Collecting Crime Fiction
I've acquired one or two interesting inscribed books, including a twice-signed copy of Christianna Brand's Death of Jezebel, which will, in the not too distant future I hope, feature on this website along with the other rarities and oddities on the Collecting Crime Fiction page.
Meanwhile, in Germany..
The German translation of The Arsenic Labyrinth has been published - and has been reprinted within a very few weeks, which is really encouraging. Petra, one of Germany’s biggest selling magazines, describes Luebbe’s translation of The Coffin Trail as ‘A great book for all England fans who prefer the not so gory crime novels with drive and a lot of atmosphere.’
Online reviews
There's another warm response to the latest Harry Devlin book on a site called Genregoround. Meanwhile, there's great coverage of the first two Lakes books on a very well-regarded blog, Random Jottings of a Book and Opera Lover; the conclusion is - 'recommended reading if you like a good mystery.' Eurocrime's Maxine Clarke rates The Coffin Trail as 'an absorbing read...The central mystery is satisfyingly resolved, with a clever twist in the tale.' Harriet Devine's blog says The Cipher Garden 'is an intelligent and highly readable novel.'
True Crime
I have enjoyed Linda Stratmann's book about chloroform, which deals with the Adelaide Bartlett case and many others.
This page was last updated on 29 July 2010