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London After Midnight : A Tour of its Criminal Haunts
Beyond the civilized world of Harrod's and high tea, there is a darker side to London -- a demi-monde of fog-enshrouded midnights and alleys eerily lit by gas lamps, stained with the blood of some of the most unspeakable crimes in history.
This collection of stories takes us on a guided tour of this "other" London. Visit the haunts of criminals like Jack the Ripper, Dr. Fu Manchu, and Professor Moriarty; as well as the residences of their greatest nemeses--such intrepid crimefighters as Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, and Lord Peter Wimsey. Twenty-two stories from Robert Arthur, Sax Rohmer, Thomas Burke, P.D. James, Patricia Moyes, Carter Dickson, Michael Hilbert, Gerald Kersh, Allan Prior, Graham Greene, Ruth Rendell, Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and R. Austin Freeman, among others.
This collection of stories takes us on a guided tour of this "other" London. Visit the haunts of criminals like Jack the Ripper, Dr. Fu Manchu, and Professor Moriarty; as well as the residences of their greatest nemeses--such intrepid crimefighters as Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, and Lord Peter Wimsey. Twenty-two stories from Robert Arthur, Sax Rohmer, Thomas Burke, P.D. James, Patricia Moyes, Carter Dickson, Michael Hilbert, Gerald Kersh, Allan Prior, Graham Greene, Ruth Rendell, Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and R. Austin Freeman, among others.
342 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
6 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Peter Haining
331 books99 followersPeter Alexander Haining was an English journalist, author and anthologist who lived and worked in Suffolk. Born in Enfield, Middlesex, he began his career as a reporter in Essex and then moved to London where he worked on a trade magazine before joining the publishing house of New English Library.
Haining achieved the position of Editorial Director before becoming a full time writer in the early Seventies. He edited a large number of anthologies, predominantly of horror and fantasy short stories, wrote non-fiction books on a variety of topics from the Channel Tunnel to Sweeney Todd and also used the pen names "Ric Alexander" and "Richard Peyton" on a number of crime story anthologies. In the Seventies he wrote three novels, including The Hero (1973), which was optioned for filming.
In two controversial books, Haining argued that Sweeney Todd was a real historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800, was tried in December 1801, and was hanged in January 1802. However, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. A check of the website Old Bailey at for "Associated Records 1674-1834" for an alleged trial in December 1801 and hanging of Sweeney Todd for January 1802 show no reference; in fact the only murder trial for this period is that of a Governor/Lt Col. Joseph Wall who was hanged 28 January 1802 for killing a Benjamin Armstrong 10 July 1782 in "Goree" Africa and the discharge of a Humphrey White in January 1802. Strong reservations have also been expressed regarding the reliability of another of Haining's influential non-fiction works, The Legend and Bizarre Crimes of Spring Heeled Jack.
He wrote several reference books on Doctor Who, including the 20th anniversary special Doctor Who: A Celebration Two Decades Through Time and Space (1983), and also wrote the definitive study of Sherlock Holmes on the screen, The Television Sherlock Holmes (1991) and several other television tie-ins featuring famous literary characters, including Maigret, Poirot and James Bond. Peter Haining's most recent project was a series of World War Two stories based on extensive research and personal interviews: The Jail That Went To Sea (2003), The Mystery of Rommel's Gold (2004), Where The Eagle Landed (2004), The Chianti Raiders (2005) and The Banzai Hunters (2007).
He won the British Fantasy Awards Karl Edward Wagner Award in 2001.
Haining achieved the position of Editorial Director before becoming a full time writer in the early Seventies. He edited a large number of anthologies, predominantly of horror and fantasy short stories, wrote non-fiction books on a variety of topics from the Channel Tunnel to Sweeney Todd and also used the pen names "Ric Alexander" and "Richard Peyton" on a number of crime story anthologies. In the Seventies he wrote three novels, including The Hero (1973), which was optioned for filming.
In two controversial books, Haining argued that Sweeney Todd was a real historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800, was tried in December 1801, and was hanged in January 1802. However, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. A check of the website Old Bailey at for "Associated Records 1674-1834" for an alleged trial in December 1801 and hanging of Sweeney Todd for January 1802 show no reference; in fact the only murder trial for this period is that of a Governor/Lt Col. Joseph Wall who was hanged 28 January 1802 for killing a Benjamin Armstrong 10 July 1782 in "Goree" Africa and the discharge of a Humphrey White in January 1802. Strong reservations have also been expressed regarding the reliability of another of Haining's influential non-fiction works, The Legend and Bizarre Crimes of Spring Heeled Jack.
He wrote several reference books on Doctor Who, including the 20th anniversary special Doctor Who: A Celebration Two Decades Through Time and Space (1983), and also wrote the definitive study of Sherlock Holmes on the screen, The Television Sherlock Holmes (1991) and several other television tie-ins featuring famous literary characters, including Maigret, Poirot and James Bond. Peter Haining's most recent project was a series of World War Two stories based on extensive research and personal interviews: The Jail That Went To Sea (2003), The Mystery of Rommel's Gold (2004), Where The Eagle Landed (2004), The Chianti Raiders (2005) and The Banzai Hunters (2007).
He won the British Fantasy Awards Karl Edward Wagner Award in 2001.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 14, 2021
This book was given to me for free at a neighbors yard sale (I DID pick it out to purchase it) but I'm glad I didn't pay for it.
It took me far too long to finish this because only about 3 of the stories were interesting and fleshed out enough to be worth my time to read (for which, I've awarded one star each). Short doesn't have to mean incomplete, one-dimensional characters. Most of the "detectives" in these stories were so full of themselves they never shut up, resulting in stories that told the reader what happened rather than showing us as a good story should. In some of the stories, the logic was so haphazard, it was difficult to follow what was going on or who was speaking at any given moment.
It took me far too long to finish this because only about 3 of the stories were interesting and fleshed out enough to be worth my time to read (for which, I've awarded one star each). Short doesn't have to mean incomplete, one-dimensional characters. Most of the "detectives" in these stories were so full of themselves they never shut up, resulting in stories that told the reader what happened rather than showing us as a good story should. In some of the stories, the logic was so haphazard, it was difficult to follow what was going on or who was speaking at any given moment.
November 15, 2019
I found this collection of short stories about London's most famous fictional detectives and criminals a bit uneven. Some of the stories were very good in terms of writing and story execution. Others were preposterous. It exposed me to a few authors of whom I plan to read more in the future, so I consider the book on balance a plus.
April 10, 2014
This was a great sampling of London-themed mysteries. I think I've found some new mystery authors to try as a result of reading this book.
January 1, 2021
“London After Midnight: A Tour of Its Criminal Haunts” edited by Peter Haining.
The following reviews are for the stories I chose to read from this collection.
“The Adventure of the Worst Man in London” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Detective Mystery
OH HOW THE TABLES HAVE TURNED. Britain’s number one consulting detective is now a burglar! Published under the title, “The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton,” in 1904, Doyle bases his story on real life Victorian blackmailer, Charles Augustus Howell. Full of sleuth, stealth and humor, Doyle creates a charming story for Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson with an ending that will keep you guessing.
“Yellow Iris” by Agatha Christie ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Detective Mystery
Very intriguing to see how Hercule Poirot manages a deductive reasoning and lands the execution in 15 pages. Such a small, yet impactful story full of quick and witty banter.
“Flight From Fleet Street” by Carter Dickson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Little “Demon Barber of Fleet Street” action going on here. I absolutely love Dickson’s use of the dim witted-ness of a first time American in London. Getting messed up in places where he doesn’t belong yet never shutting up to give anyone a moments peace. Absolutely brilliant.
“People Don’t Do Such Things” by Ruth Rendell ⭐️⭐️
Way too predictable and dull and a bit annoying to be honest. Woman cheats on husband with husband’s best friend and lover kills her....boring....NEXT.
The following reviews are for the stories I chose to read from this collection.
“The Adventure of the Worst Man in London” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Detective Mystery
OH HOW THE TABLES HAVE TURNED. Britain’s number one consulting detective is now a burglar! Published under the title, “The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton,” in 1904, Doyle bases his story on real life Victorian blackmailer, Charles Augustus Howell. Full of sleuth, stealth and humor, Doyle creates a charming story for Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson with an ending that will keep you guessing.
“Yellow Iris” by Agatha Christie ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Detective Mystery
Very intriguing to see how Hercule Poirot manages a deductive reasoning and lands the execution in 15 pages. Such a small, yet impactful story full of quick and witty banter.
“Flight From Fleet Street” by Carter Dickson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Little “Demon Barber of Fleet Street” action going on here. I absolutely love Dickson’s use of the dim witted-ness of a first time American in London. Getting messed up in places where he doesn’t belong yet never shutting up to give anyone a moments peace. Absolutely brilliant.
“People Don’t Do Such Things” by Ruth Rendell ⭐️⭐️
Way too predictable and dull and a bit annoying to be honest. Woman cheats on husband with husband’s best friend and lover kills her....boring....NEXT.
May 12, 2019
There are some 22 stories here, most of which with plots that teeter firmly between P.G. Wodehouse and madcap Fu Manchu territory. Fu Manchu, of course, gets his own story here.
Three stories garnered stars from me. Two were written by women: P.D. James (The Girl Who Loved Graveyards) and Ruth Rendell (People Don't Do Such Things). Agatha Christie's Yellow Iris did not make the cut, so the third star belongs to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Adventure of the Worst Man in London, not so much for the plot, but for the story-telling.
It struck me as a veddy British collection. And rightly so, old sport. It is London After Midnight, after all. Cheerio!
Three stories garnered stars from me. Two were written by women: P.D. James (The Girl Who Loved Graveyards) and Ruth Rendell (People Don't Do Such Things). Agatha Christie's Yellow Iris did not make the cut, so the third star belongs to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Adventure of the Worst Man in London, not so much for the plot, but for the story-telling.
It struck me as a veddy British collection. And rightly so, old sport. It is London After Midnight, after all. Cheerio!
October 5, 2018
This is a delightful collection of British detective/mystery stories, collected around the theme of a map of London. Before each story, the editors describe the area in which it takes place, then go into more detail about the author and the character. If you like British mysteries and detective fiction, you'll get a kick out of this collection. Pour a cuppa and settle in!
January 25, 2018
As I have said on other occasions, it is difficult to rate a book of short stories. As in this case they vary from 2 to 5, so have to give it 3. Still worth a read.
July 28, 2012
A collection of stories that give the reader a fictional tour of the criminal haunts of London. Unfortunately, my tour of London wound up being a major case of deja vu. I would have enjoyed my wanderings a lot more if I hadn't already visited most of the sites. I had already read a great number of these stories in other collections. The highlights of the sight-seeing trip came with "A Little Place off the Edgware Road" by Graham Greene and "People Don't Do Such Things" by Ruth Rendell. Greene's story provided a clever little twist...this time it's not the murderer who gets away, but the body of the victim. And Rendell's offering provides a surprise ending for the straying wife and her lover.
This was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
This was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
October 2, 2015
I haven't had much luck with anthologies lately so my expectations were nil going into this. This turned out to be a charming little book of stories based on crimes in London. It's also amazing to see how many authors were blatant copies of Sherlock Holmes and were considered successes.
I especially recommend the stories by Ruth Rendell, Graham Greene and Dorothy L. Sayers. Fans of Sherlock Holmes should not be fooled by the listing of "The Most Hated Man in London" by Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle as an undiscovered Holmes story. It's not. This was the original title for "The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton."
I enjoyed Haining's intros to the stories, although a map of London would have been nice, too.
I especially recommend the stories by Ruth Rendell, Graham Greene and Dorothy L. Sayers. Fans of Sherlock Holmes should not be fooled by the listing of "The Most Hated Man in London" by Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle as an undiscovered Holmes story. It's not. This was the original title for "The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton."
I enjoyed Haining's intros to the stories, although a map of London would have been nice, too.
March 2, 2016
This is a very delightful book of short stories by authors critical to the detective genre. And of course, isn't London the seeming birthplace of this type of story? A few of the authors I have heard of, but sadly, many I have not. It is definitely a book recommended by someone like me, who likes this genre but has not had the opportunity to read many of the classic authors.
As with any collection, there were some that were not as interesting to me, but most of them had me reaching for my pen to jot down the names of the authors to read more. I already have a couple of them on request at my local library.
As with any collection, there were some that were not as interesting to me, but most of them had me reaching for my pen to jot down the names of the authors to read more. I already have a couple of them on request at my local library.
November 14, 2008
Favorite short stories were: "The Girl Who Loved Graveyards" by P. D. James and "The Cave of Ali Baba" by Dorothy Sayers.
June 29, 2009
Below average writing, above average travelogue. Better with P.D. James. Uneven.
February 10, 2010
Allingham, Christie, Carr, Conan Doyle, Sayers.....perfection!
December 3, 2013
Fair collection of stories, nothing more. Quite enjoyed the framing London text though.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews