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Books to Die For

On sale

25th September 2014

Price: £25

The Anthony Award, 2013

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Selected: Paperback / ISBN-13: 9781473612181

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Winner of the 2013 Agatha, Anthony and the Macavity Awards for Best Crime Non-Fiction.

With so many mystery novels to choose from and so many new titles appearing each year, where should the reader start? What are the classics of the genre? Which are the hidden gems?

In the most ambitious anthology of its kind yet attempted, the world’s leading mystery writers have come together to champion the greatest mystery novels ever written. In a series of personal essays that often reveal as much about themselves and their work work as they do about the books that they love, more than 120 authors from twenty countries have created a guide that will be indispensable for generations of readers and writers. From Christie to Child and Poe to PD James, from Sherlock Holmes to Hannibal Lecter and Philip Marlowe to Peter Wimsey, BOOKS TO DIE FOR brings together the cream of the mystery world for a feast of reading pleasure, a treasure trove for those new to the genre and those who believe that there is nothing new left to discover. This is the one essential book for every reader who has ever finished a mystery novel and thought . . . I want more! http://www.bookstodiefor.net

Reviews

<i>Sunday Times</i>
This volume challenges a few myths and is worth reading for that pleasure alone.
<i>FT</i>
Burke and Connolly's hefty compendium is no mere kill list but something subtler; a way of discovering great crime novels from the past through essays by more than 120 modern masters who have picked their favourites. While their selection is more quirky than definitive, they act as excellent guides . . . a strong and surprising selection
<i>Sunday Telegraph</i>
Indispensable
<i>Irish Catholic</i>
A richly rewarding read from beginning to end
<i>Saga</i>
This collection of essays on the kings and queens of crime, past and present, is the perfect stocking filler for all crime-lit junkies - wisdom, wit and candour from the likes of Christie, Conan Doyle and Highsmith.
Observer
A fascinating glimpse of the way styles and influences echo through generations, begetting seemingly endless variations on what is simple formula.