Policeman's Dread

Inspector West #30

by John Creasey

Chief Superintendent Roger West of Scotland Yard has to deal with possible corruption in the Police Force. Who can he trust? Bribery is suspected as a number of cases are dismissed because of faulty police evidence, and a policeman is shot whilst another stands accused of unnecessary violence against a suspect. Much more than reputations are at stake as West moves further and deeper into the underworld of London’s West End criminal gangs.

Genres: Mystery

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

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

[Mick Scrimshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve just finished another book from my collection of vintage British crime novels. This one from the prolific author John Creasey and from his well known Inspector West series. It was enjoyable and an easy to read. The plot revolved around a conspiracy of criminals intent to discredit Scotland Yard and suggest corruption was rife within the police at both high and lower levels, all designed to undermine police efficiency and to position the criminals to get away with a major series of house breaking. To be honest the plot was far-fetched and the ending not exactly believable, but these books from sixty-odd years ago were meant to be enjoyable and fun reads rather than realistic and insights into the dark reality of crime.

[Richp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was better than I expected, except for the ending which was too quick and tidy. The plot was quite good.

[Delores Alger · Rating 4 out of 5]

west