The Curious Conspiracy and Other Crimes [Paperback]

Michael Gilbert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 18, 2002

A MASTER STORYTELLER

To recognize the year of Michael Gilbert's ninetieth birthday, Crippen & Landru is proud to publish this new collection of stories. The Curious Conspiracy and Other Crimes gathers together twenty previously uncollected stories including almost unknown tales about Inspectors Hazlerigg and Petrella, and stories of blackmail, murder, and revenge. The settings range from elegant (but dangerous) wine cellars in France and England, to a soundproofed room inhabited by a dictator, to early nineteenth century Spain, to a deadly shooting range.

The Encyclopedia of Mystery and Detection describes Gilbert as "one of the finest of the post-World War II generation of detective story writers." One of the master storytellers of our times, Gilbert displays his seemingly effortless characterization, his use of authentic detail, and, above all, his ability to engage the reader from the first sentence.

The Mystery Writers of America recognized Gilbert's contributions with its highest honor, the Grand Master Award. The introduction is by the author, and the cover design by Deborah Miller.

FIRST BOOK EDITION

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Curious Conspiracy and Other Crimes gathers 20 previously uncollected stories, most written in the 1950s, in honor of Grand Master Michael Gilbert's 90th birthday. It's a "catholic" compilation, writes Gilbert (Roller Coaster), whose stories range all over in time and place and whose main characters might be anyone from a sweet-seeming but murderous old housewife to a battled-hardened bandit leader who goes by the name of El Torino.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

This collection of 20 previously uncollected short stories has been put together to celebrate British mystery writer Gilbert's ninetieth birthday. As Gilbert, one of the few surviving masters of the puzzle-driven mystery, notes in his introduction, these stories are not held together by a single character or theme. They range in time from World War II to the present and were published between 1950 and 1993. There's definitely a London focus, however, from the financial district to modest flats to the Tower of London. And Gilbert's tone, reasonable yet shocking, holds true throughout. For example, "The Blackmailer" begins with the dispassionate depiction of three suicides in a row. Lovers of classic detection will love this new collection of vintage Gilbert. Connie Fletcher
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 235 pages
• Publisher: Crippen & Landru Publishers; 1 edition (April 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885941730
• ISBN-13: 978-1885941732
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,907,258 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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