Scan barcode
A review by bookishsteph1
In the Shadow of Agatha Christie: Classic Crime Fiction by Forgotten Female Writers: 1850-1917 by Leslie S. Klinger
4.0
I really enjoyed this collection and how varied the stories and themes are, as well as the variation of authors each with something new to offer with a growing ingenuity in the latter half of the book, particularly shown in one of my favourites, The Blood-Red Cross by L. T. Meade (with assistance from Robert Eustace, a doctor) which uses an excellent bit of science. Some of my other favourites include The Statement of Jared Johnson by Geraldine Bonner, The Regent’s Park Murder by Baroness Orczy and Missing: Page Thirteen by Anna Katharine Green. I also really liked the page of biographical information for each author as an introduction before each story. Very informative.
It is unfortunate that these authors weren’t as popular as Agatha Christie, or didn’t retain their popularity, and I’m glad to have read this book and plan on reading more by my favourites from this collection, but I do have to say that Agatha Christie is still my Queen of Crime and unfortunately, for me, only a few of these stories came close to her writing and intricate plotting (see my favourites listed above).
Well worth a read and it was great finding more female classic crime writers to read! .
It is unfortunate that these authors weren’t as popular as Agatha Christie, or didn’t retain their popularity, and I’m glad to have read this book and plan on reading more by my favourites from this collection, but I do have to say that Agatha Christie is still my Queen of Crime and unfortunately, for me, only a few of these stories came close to her writing and intricate plotting (see my favourites listed above).
Well worth a read and it was great finding more female classic crime writers to read! .