Thugs and Economies

Gideon #5

by John Creasey

Commander George Gideon, Scotland Yard's finest detective, is faced with a battle over economies at the same time as fighting a serious crime wave. In London there are ruthless big-time thugs to be combatted; thieves to be caught; and petty crooks trying to punch above their weight. At the same time an obsessed maniac is preying on little girls on the crowded beaches of an East Coast town. Gideon risks everything in an effort to sort out the chaos.

The Author: John Creasey – Master Storyteller

Born in Surrey, England in 1908 into a poor family in which there were nine children, John Creasey grew up to be a true master story teller and international sensation. His more than 600 crime, mystery and thriller titles have now sold 80 million copies in 25 languages. These include many popular series such as Gideon of Scotland Yard, The Toff, Dr Palfrey and The Baron.

Creasy wrote under many pseudonyms, explaining that booksellers had complained he totally dominated the ‘C’ section in stores. They included:

Gordon Ashe, M E Cooke, Norman Deane, Robert Caine Frazer, Patrick Gill, Michael Halliday, Charles Hogarth, Brian Hope, Colin Hughes, Kyle Hunt, Abel Mann, Peter Manton, J J Marric, Richard Martin, Rodney Mattheson, Anthony Morton and Jeremy York.

Never one to sit still, Creasey had a strong social conscience, and stood for Parliament several times, along with founding the One Party Alliance which promoted the idea of government by a coalition of the best minds from across the political spectrum. He was also involved with the National Savings movement; United Europe; various road safety campaigns, and famine relief.

He founded the British Crime Writers’ Association, which to this day celebrates outstanding crime writing. The Mystery Writers of America bestowed upon him the Edgar Award for best novel and then in 1969 the ultimate Grand Master Award. John Creasey’s stories are as compelling today as ever, with one of the major factors in his success being the ability to portray characters as living – his undoubted talent being to understand and observe accurately human behaviour.

Genres: Mystery, Procedural, Fiction, British Literature

149 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2013

About the author

AKA Gordon Ashe, M E Cooke, Norman Deane, Robert Caine Frazer, Patrick Gill, Michael Halliday, Charles Hogarth, Brian Hope, Colin Hughes, Kyle Hunt, Margaret Lisle, Abel Mann, Peter Manton, J.J. Marric, Richard Martin, Rodney Mattheson, Anthony Morton, Jeremy York, Henry St. John Cooper and Margaret Cooke.

John Creasey (September 17, 1908 - June 9, 1973) was born in Southfields, Surrey, England and died in New Hall, Bodenham, Salisbury Wiltshire, England. He was the seventh of nine children in a working class home. He became an English author of crime thrillers, published in excess of 600 books under 20+ different pseudonyms. He invented many famous characters who would appear in a whole series of novels. Probably the most famous of these is Gideon of Scotland Yard, the basis for the television program Gideon's Way but others include Department Z, Dr. Palfrey, The Toff, Inspector Roger West, and The Baron (which was also made into a television series). In 1962, Creasey won an Edgar Award for Best Novel, from the Mystery Writers of America, for Gideon's Fire, written under the pen name J. J. Marric. And in 1969 he was given the MWA's highest honor, the Grand Master Award.

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

JJ Marric's Commander Gideon police procedural series is always entertaining and good value for money. Gideon's Staff, the 5th book in the series, was no exception. Gideon is suffering from staff shortages and along with the other division heads in London's police hierarchy, is asked to examine the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to let the police commissioner what he can do without in an era of cutbacks. Gideon argues that it can't be done as it will seriously affect his division's ability to fight crime. So throughout this particular story, the embattled Gideon, now moved up a slot temporarily, due his supervisor's illness, must try to solve a variety of ongoing cases, present a case for more money and try to husband his tired resources.
A cop has been murdered and Gideon is trying to find Mickey the Slob, the gangster who orchestrated the killing. Gideon is helping a police force on the coast where a pervert has been assaulting and killing little girls. As well, a 'master criminal' plans to take advantage of CID's issues by planning a major heist.
There is nothing new in the Gideon series but the stories are always told so very well. You have a variety of viewpoints, from Gideon as the main one, but also those of his investigators and also those of the criminals in involved in the crimes. And there is always the added enjoyment of Gideon's lovely wife and great kids.
The format makes for engaging, interesting crime stories, page turners with enough excitement to keep you moving along. Added to this story is the issue of the whole funding matter and how Gideon tries to solve that. Entertaining and more than just a crime story. Check the series out. (4.0 stars)

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second Gideon police book I’ve read and I found it a slight upgrade from the other one. Though this was #5 in the series and the other book was #14.

Gideon’s main foe in this story is the lack of funding for Scotland Yard. Not the most exciting, and from an outsider’s perspective - out of touch.

But it’s also about a serial killer who targets blonde young girl, a gangster call Micky the Slob, and a couple buffoons hatching the dumbest plan to distract police while they can rob a bank.

Don’t know if I’ll ever return to this world but I’m glad I blind bought these books at the famous Mystery bookshop in NYC. That’s what it’s all about. Gonna pick up different ones during my next visit (~Nov 26)

3.5/5

[laurel jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light and entertaining fast read

[C. John Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this book Gideon confronts a problem still with us, namely a police force that is already feeling the effects of not having the financial resources it needs and whose political masters want it to reduce expenses even more. Gideon is forced to take measures he would not normally do to drive home his worries. Of course this gives the criminal element, or at least some of them, ideas. Add to this a child molester/killer and Gideon certainly has his hands full. As always we have a number of other policemen involved in the various stories. Each one is distinct from the other, which gives an added texture to the book. As well we have a nice dose of Gideon's off-duty life. All in all a nice addition to the series.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Commander Gideon lays his career on the line in opposition to budget cuts. The Yard is already understaffed to the point that criminals are escaping through the thin police lines. Even if his press campaign wins support for Scotland Yard, he will probably be in trouble with the Home Secretary for taking internal politics public. It would favor his campaign if the criminals were seen to be winning, but Gideon can't allow that.

[Michael P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series about Commander Gideon of Scotland Yard, his staff, and his family improves with each volume. This is the fifth. John Creasey, writing under the name J. J. Merrick, concentrates on the members of the Yard in this story, and characterizations, usually Creasey's weakness, come into focus and grow in complexity. This is a satisfying crime novel.

[Delores Alger · Rating 4 out of 5]

creasey's gideon