Features

CIS: The first female detectives

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We’ve just been celebrating the 123rd birthday of Agatha Christie, who created spinster sleuth Miss Marple in 1926. But if you thought Marple was the first female literary detective – albeit, an amateur – you might be surprised to learn you were out by several…
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Features

CIS: Barry Forshaw's top 10 Nordic classics

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Barry Forshaw is the UK’s leading expert on crime fiction. His books include Nordic Noir, British Crime Film and Death in a Cold Climate: A Guide to Scandinavian Crime Fiction. Other work includes British Gothic Cinema, the award-winning British Crime Writing, The Rough Guide to…
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Features

CIS: Your classics

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Last week, we called out for all our readers, followers and friends out there to tell us what your favourite classic crime fiction novels are. We’ve had a great response, including submissions from top authors who themselves have been inspired by the books they’ve nominated….
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Features

Are crime novels killing short stories?

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While the crime novel is in rude health with huge sales for contemporary genre authors, what about the short story? It’s true that labyrinthine crime plots have always suited the novel – although Golden Age writers penned shorter novels than today’s chunky bestsellers – but…
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Features

CIS: The Agatha Christie birthday quiz!

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Win a fantastic prize! On 15 September 1890, arguably Britain’s favourite crime fiction writer of all time was born in Torquay, Devon. So, today we’re celebrating the birthday of Agatha Christie. And with it we’ve got a quiz to win a superb illustrated edition of…
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Features

Interview: Jo Nesbo

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Yesterday saw the release of Jo Nesbo’s new novel, Police. With over 20 million books sold, the Norwegian author has become the most sought-after name in Scandinavian crime fiction and Police has been anxiously awaited by fans. The book is the ninth in the Harry…
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Features

Interview: Karen Sandler

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Karen Sandler’s writing career started age nine, with a four-line poem about a pony. Luckily for us, she didn’t stop there. Based in Southern Californian, the mother of two has published 17 successful romance novels, and two books in a YA trilogy. She recently turned…
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