Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
The Golden Age of Murder
- Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
- Length: 16 hrs and 31 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
99p for the first 3 months
Buy Now for £16.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
A real-life detective story, investigating how Agatha Christie and colleagues in a mysterious literary club transformed crime fiction, writing books casting new light on unsolved murders whilst hiding clues to their authors' darkest secrets.
This is the first book about the Detection Club, the world's most famous and most mysterious social network of crime writers. Drawing on years of in-depth research, it reveals the astonishing story of how members such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers reinvented detective fiction.
Detective stories from the so-called "Golden Age" between the wars are often dismissed as cosily conventional. Nothing could be further from the truth: some explore forensic pathology and shocking serial murders, others delve into police brutality and miscarriages of justice; occasionally the innocent are hanged, or murderers get away scot-free. Their authors faced up to the Slump and the rise of Hitler during years of economic misery and political upheaval, and wrote books agonising over guilt and innocence, good and evil, and explored whether killing a fellow human being was ever justified. Though the stories included no graphic sex scenes, sexual passions of all kinds seethed just beneath the surface.
Attracting feminists, gay and lesbian writers, Socialists and Marxist sympathisers, the Detection Club authors were young, ambitious, and at the cutting edge of popular culture - some had sex lives as bizarre as their mystery plots. Fascinated by real life crimes, they cracked unsolved cases and threw down challenges to Scotland Yard, using their fiction to take revenge on people who hurt them, to conduct covert relationships, and even as an outlet for homicidal fantasy. Their books anticipated not only CSI, Jack Reacher, and Gone Girl, but also Lord of the Flies.
Critic reviews
More from the same
What listeners say about The Golden Age of Murder
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nico
- 11-06-15
Classic. Brilliant. Enlightening.
When I read the title I thought it was a detective story. I was mistaken, it immediately became apparent it was the story of how the best kind of detective novelist created the books we see as classics today. It was hard not to listen to more as I found it so interesting.
If you like detective novels, this book will really give you an insight into the minds that wrote the classics.
(Well written and brilliantly articulated)
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ELISE
- 28-07-15
Fascinating insight into a the authors of the golden age
Highly recommended for anyone interested in the golden age detective genre. As a Big fan of Christie, Sayers and marsh I was gripped by the personal insight into their lives , relationships, motivations and demons. It has made me realise that I have only discovered the tip of the authors from the era and look forward to exploring others featured in the book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- merrylon
- 09-09-18
Not true crime --
Actually, a fascinating history of the golden age of crime fiction and of the authors involved; an excellent resource for anyone wanting to create a reading list! The lives of the authors, both major and minor, are interwoven with plot run-downs and background information. A nice, meaty listen performed with admirable clarity by Leighton Pugh, who never loses interest in the subject (and hence always retains the interest of the listener). Definitely recommended.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- MR WBC GOLDSBROUGH
- 21-09-17
Fascinating listening.
Brilliant research and entertainingly written. Has enriched my enjoyment and appreciation of the genre. Also some fabulous "leads" to some great books.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mrs P. Clarke
- 18-03-22
Absolutely marvellous!
For any detective fiction fan, this book is essential reading (listening). Full of brilliant stories, it provides so much vital context for our favourite Golden Age books. Thank you!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Miss Julie E. Ellis
- 15-04-17
love golden age mysteries
loved this book , great authors, the age of mystery and suspense.
read more from the crime detection club
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!