Serpents in Eden, ed. Martin Edwards

This book should perhaps be read as a companion to Murder at the Manor ; set in the country but with the murders taking place out of doors. In his introduction, Martin Edwards quotes Sherlock Holmes’ famous dictum (from The Copper Beeches), that there is more evil undetected in the countryside than in the city. Hence the title: murder in Eden destroys what should be a rural idyll. Again, many of the authors are well known. Conan Doyle appears, with a non-Holmes story and we have G K Chesterton and Margery Allingham, too. I liked the Dr Thorndyke mystery, by R Austin Freeman (must read more of these) and another scary one from Ethel Lina White. I’m usually disappointed when I find a book consists of short stories but these detective ones work well and are just the right length to read while having a cup of tea. What could be cosier? I enjoyed the country house book more than this one, but it’s still worth reading. Another book in the British Library Crime Classics series (lovely cover!), which will be out next March. I read this courtesy of Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley.

The Long and Winding Road

National Book Tokens have sent me this image again, as a Christmas card. I know Cornflower posted it a while ago but it will still be new to some people.