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Gideon #8
Gideon's March
Gideon knew he was in for a difficult time. There was to be a summit conference in London and the protection of the statesmen from France, Germany and the United States was a prime importance. But Gideon also had to cope with murder - first one, then another, both of them seemingly connected in some strange way ...
- GenresMysteryProceduralCrime
189 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1962
6 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Marric
44 books19 followersA pseudonym used by John Creasey.
The Gideon series was continued after Creasey's death by William Vivian Butler.
The Gideon series was continued after Creasey's death by William Vivian Butler.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 2, 2020
It was to be a busy month of March for Commander George Gideon. He knew he was in for a difficult time as there was to be a summit conference in London and he was responsible for overseeing the protection of the statesmen from France, Germany and the United States that were attending.
But as the time for the conference approached other problems presented themselves to Gideon and he had to deal with them along with making arrangements for the conference. A murder was brought to his attention and he and his assistants had to look into that and then he heard that with the conference bringing plenty of people to London that gangs from further north were making their own arrangements to come down to the metropolis to make the most of the crowds. He had to put a stop to that so he was busy making plans to do so when he heard that a fanatic from the USA was making his way over with the intention of assassinating the US president.
In addition he received word that there was another fanatic, who had an axe to grind with the French Prime Minister, and he too was apparently planning an assassination. Gideon had to put all this into his pot and manage it so he was an extremely busy man. Fortunately he had some very good subordinates who he delegated some of the footwork to but when they reported back he had to get it all together to plan a course of action.
Then a second murder took place, seemingly connected in some strange way to the first one but he could not initially fathom how or why. There appeared not enough time in the day for him to cope with everything but, by dint of hard work and long hours, he managed to manage the arrangements for the summit, spend some time investigating the murders and also look around for the suspected assassins.
In a fast-moving - there was no time for the investigations not to be - and always exciting tale that admirably captures the ambience of London at the time, Commander Gideon proved that there was only one Gideon of the Yard and eventually came out tops in everything that was on the table.
But as the time for the conference approached other problems presented themselves to Gideon and he had to deal with them along with making arrangements for the conference. A murder was brought to his attention and he and his assistants had to look into that and then he heard that with the conference bringing plenty of people to London that gangs from further north were making their own arrangements to come down to the metropolis to make the most of the crowds. He had to put a stop to that so he was busy making plans to do so when he heard that a fanatic from the USA was making his way over with the intention of assassinating the US president.
In addition he received word that there was another fanatic, who had an axe to grind with the French Prime Minister, and he too was apparently planning an assassination. Gideon had to put all this into his pot and manage it so he was an extremely busy man. Fortunately he had some very good subordinates who he delegated some of the footwork to but when they reported back he had to get it all together to plan a course of action.
Then a second murder took place, seemingly connected in some strange way to the first one but he could not initially fathom how or why. There appeared not enough time in the day for him to cope with everything but, by dint of hard work and long hours, he managed to manage the arrangements for the summit, spend some time investigating the murders and also look around for the suspected assassins.
In a fast-moving - there was no time for the investigations not to be - and always exciting tale that admirably captures the ambience of London at the time, Commander Gideon proved that there was only one Gideon of the Yard and eventually came out tops in everything that was on the table.
January 4, 2012
Enjoyed this book and was quite amused at the 1960`s feel of style and language. No computers so the head of Metropolitan police was `writing` to all provincial forces, no email.
A young boy says "okay" to his father and is told to use the English language properly.
No swearing, the strongest word was `blurry`.
A young boy says "okay" to his father and is told to use the English language properly.
No swearing, the strongest word was `blurry`.
August 12, 2017
Not as wide-ranging as the rest of the series. Gideon must protect three visiting heads of state, with assassins to forestall and petty-theft gangs to corral. That doesn't take all of his attention, but a lot of it. There are still damsels in distress, a resentful police superintendent, and a crazed fanatic in Gideon's springtime London.
January 3, 2025
J.J. Marric was one of the most prolific writers I've tried; Commander Gideon, Inspector West, Dept Z, Doctor Palfrey, etc. The Commander Gideon series consists of 20+ books. It's basically a police procedural, featuring Commander Gideon as head of London's Criminal Investigation Division. Every book I've read thus far has been excellent.
In Gideon's March, the 8th book, Gideon has to prepare the London police for a major visit; the US president, the French president and the German president. Adding to his responsibilities, he must also take over the uniformed division as that head is on sick leave. Gideon must now deal with the hurt feelings of the Assistant of that Division, who feels slighted.
It's a fascinating story that wanders from Gideon to other police officers assisting him, including those from the countries that are visiting. As well, Gideon is dealing with specific crimes and criminals so we get to be involved with their lives and plans. You've got Matthew Smith, who wants to assassinate the French president who he blames for the death of his son. You've got various other criminals, Sonnly who runs pick pocket teams and other petty criminals. You've got his partner, Klein, plotting with the Glasgow gangs to take over the activities during the visit. His plan is kind of neat (I won't ruin it)
For a relatively short story, it's rich and deeply developed. The planning process is intricate but very accessible and interesting and as we get closer to the final procession of the leaders, the pace picks up and the activities of the police forces are more intense and detailed. It's amazing how much Marric can pack into one little story and how exciting it ends up being. I've enjoyed the TV episode that pulls this portion of the story out and I do like how the book is different enough that the ending was surprising and both satisfying and depressing at the same time. If you like police procedurals, this is a mystery series worth checking out. (4.0 stars)
In Gideon's March, the 8th book, Gideon has to prepare the London police for a major visit; the US president, the French president and the German president. Adding to his responsibilities, he must also take over the uniformed division as that head is on sick leave. Gideon must now deal with the hurt feelings of the Assistant of that Division, who feels slighted.
It's a fascinating story that wanders from Gideon to other police officers assisting him, including those from the countries that are visiting. As well, Gideon is dealing with specific crimes and criminals so we get to be involved with their lives and plans. You've got Matthew Smith, who wants to assassinate the French president who he blames for the death of his son. You've got various other criminals, Sonnly who runs pick pocket teams and other petty criminals. You've got his partner, Klein, plotting with the Glasgow gangs to take over the activities during the visit. His plan is kind of neat (I won't ruin it)
For a relatively short story, it's rich and deeply developed. The planning process is intricate but very accessible and interesting and as we get closer to the final procession of the leaders, the pace picks up and the activities of the police forces are more intense and detailed. It's amazing how much Marric can pack into one little story and how exciting it ends up being. I've enjoyed the TV episode that pulls this portion of the story out and I do like how the book is different enough that the ending was surprising and both satisfying and depressing at the same time. If you like police procedurals, this is a mystery series worth checking out. (4.0 stars)
November 21, 2017
A double window, onto England’s glory and into Scotland Yard behind-the-scenes when England was more a world power, but also a view of unconscious racism and sexism coupled with a view of the truly brave and good people of that era.
This book in the series, for the first time in the series, has all three subplots bound together.
This book in the series, for the first time in the series, has all three subplots bound together.
December 30, 2021
Dvojrecenze
John Creasey, J.J.Maric… a dalších cca 25 jmen okupoval autor, který za svůj zase ne tak dlouhý život (dožil se 63 let), napsal přes 600 románů. Když člověk uváží, že mu první kniha vyšla až v jeho dvaadvaceti letech (a do toho se mu ještě připletla druhá světová válka), tak vám vyjde, že musel celý svůj plodný život psát tempem minimálně jedna kniha měsíčně! Minimálně - v roce 1937 mu vyšlo hned 29 knih.
To je vážně hodné obdivu. Zvláště, když uvážíte, že se jeho věci pořád dají číst. Jo, je to čistě řemeslo, ale drží pohromadě.
Na dvakrátce věnované jeho hrdinovi komisaři Gideonovi (série vycházela od roku 1955 až do roku 1976, každý rok jeden díl) je celkem vidět proč. Vzal si tu příklad z McBaina a ještě přidal na tempu. V každém románu sledujeme hned několik případů. V první knize, Státní návštěva (Gideon´s March) se všechno točí kolem politické návštěvy Londýna, do které se angažují jak teroristé (hned dva), tak kapsáři a lupiči (dojde dokonce k válce mezi dvěma gangy), plus nějaké ty obyčejné vraždy. Příběh skáče mezi policisty a zločinci, občas zavítá i nějaká ta oběť, aby to bylo napínavější. Nejsou tam parádičky, žádné okrasy, ale pořád se to žene vpřed. Díky tomu počtu ani nevadí, že příběhy nejsou nejkomplikovanější… a realismu autor dosahuje pomocí toho, že prostě ne všechny případy se povede vyřešit, ne všechny pachatele chytit a ne všechny lidi zachránit.
Druhý příběh, Gideonova řeka (Gideon´s River) má méně příběhů a je slabší. Hlavním tématem je pašování drahokamů a akce na řece, která by mohla být cílem zlodějů. A kromě toho je tam unesená holka a mrtvé nemluvě. Ale jak se příběh rozvíjí, tak se ukazuje, že měl pravdu King, když o Creaseym napsal, že vám jde po krku oběma rukama. Na pár místech jsem nevěřil svým očím a říkal si, jestli jsem se nepřekoukl, jestli tohle skutečně udělal… navíc tak úsečně lakonicky, bez větší pompy, a jel zase dál, aniž by se to ve zbytku knihy nějak moc řešilo. Ale evidentně jo. (On si i v té první knize užívá, jak vede nějaké postavy na popravu.)
Ne, Creaseyho fakt nehodlám pročítat komplet. Na to je ho hrozně moc, a ty knihy jsou přece jen literární paneláky. Jen v nich žije člověk, kterého baví ubližovat lidem.
John Creasey, J.J.Maric… a dalších cca 25 jmen okupoval autor, který za svůj zase ne tak dlouhý život (dožil se 63 let), napsal přes 600 románů. Když člověk uváží, že mu první kniha vyšla až v jeho dvaadvaceti letech (a do toho se mu ještě připletla druhá světová válka), tak vám vyjde, že musel celý svůj plodný život psát tempem minimálně jedna kniha měsíčně! Minimálně - v roce 1937 mu vyšlo hned 29 knih.
To je vážně hodné obdivu. Zvláště, když uvážíte, že se jeho věci pořád dají číst. Jo, je to čistě řemeslo, ale drží pohromadě.
Na dvakrátce věnované jeho hrdinovi komisaři Gideonovi (série vycházela od roku 1955 až do roku 1976, každý rok jeden díl) je celkem vidět proč. Vzal si tu příklad z McBaina a ještě přidal na tempu. V každém románu sledujeme hned několik případů. V první knize, Státní návštěva (Gideon´s March) se všechno točí kolem politické návštěvy Londýna, do které se angažují jak teroristé (hned dva), tak kapsáři a lupiči (dojde dokonce k válce mezi dvěma gangy), plus nějaké ty obyčejné vraždy. Příběh skáče mezi policisty a zločinci, občas zavítá i nějaká ta oběť, aby to bylo napínavější. Nejsou tam parádičky, žádné okrasy, ale pořád se to žene vpřed. Díky tomu počtu ani nevadí, že příběhy nejsou nejkomplikovanější… a realismu autor dosahuje pomocí toho, že prostě ne všechny případy se povede vyřešit, ne všechny pachatele chytit a ne všechny lidi zachránit.
Druhý příběh, Gideonova řeka (Gideon´s River) má méně příběhů a je slabší. Hlavním tématem je pašování drahokamů a akce na řece, která by mohla být cílem zlodějů. A kromě toho je tam unesená holka a mrtvé nemluvě. Ale jak se příběh rozvíjí, tak se ukazuje, že měl pravdu King, když o Creaseym napsal, že vám jde po krku oběma rukama. Na pár místech jsem nevěřil svým očím a říkal si, jestli jsem se nepřekoukl, jestli tohle skutečně udělal… navíc tak úsečně lakonicky, bez větší pompy, a jel zase dál, aniž by se to ve zbytku knihy nějak moc řešilo. Ale evidentně jo. (On si i v té první knize užívá, jak vede nějaké postavy na popravu.)
Ne, Creaseyho fakt nehodlám pročítat komplet. Na to je ho hrozně moc, a ty knihy jsou přece jen literární paneláky. Jen v nich žije člověk, kterého baví ubližovat lidem.
September 24, 2021
I debated between giving this book a three and a four, since half stars aren't available. This was certainly a competently written book. It just didn't grab me the other volumes have. Gideon here is dealing with the ramifications of a state visit by the heads of the U.S., Germany and France. For some reason only DeGaull is actually mentioned, though it is stated that the president of the U.S. is Catholic.
Besides his normal duties Gideon has too take charge of the Uniformed Branch as well, much to the dismay of that department's Assistant Superintendant. Thus we have some workplace tention added to the mix, along with some counterfeiting and an unrelated murder investigation. My one real complaint was two deaths I felt were not necessary. Still I did enjoy this book. All in all a decent read.
Besides his normal duties Gideon has too take charge of the Uniformed Branch as well, much to the dismay of that department's Assistant Superintendant. Thus we have some workplace tention added to the mix, along with some counterfeiting and an unrelated murder investigation. My one real complaint was two deaths I felt were not necessary. Still I did enjoy this book. All in all a decent read.
September 4, 2013
Always enjoy the character of Gideon
July 1, 2014
creasey's gideon
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews