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Gideon #14
Gideon's River
"They came into the Port of London from every corner of the world, the big ships and the little ships, the tankers and the tugs, the liners and the banana boats, the modern ships and the old."
"Not only was the river the highway for the food which fed the nation; it could also be the highway for those fed of crime."
A teenage girl is abducted. A young man is tortured, beaten and drowned in a river's dark depths. Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard must use all his powers to solve the case before it’s lost with the tide…
Master crime fiction writer John Creasey's near 600 titles have sold more than 80 million copies in over 25 languages across 100 countries under both his own name and more than 20 other pseudonyms. His style varied with each identity and led to him being regarded as a literary phenomenon. Amongst the many series written were Gideon of Scotland Yard, The Toff, The Baron, Dr. Palfrey and Inspector West, as JJ Marric, Michael Halliday, Patrick Dawlish and others.
"Not only was the river the highway for the food which fed the nation; it could also be the highway for those fed of crime."
A teenage girl is abducted. A young man is tortured, beaten and drowned in a river's dark depths. Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard must use all his powers to solve the case before it’s lost with the tide…
Master crime fiction writer John Creasey's near 600 titles have sold more than 80 million copies in over 25 languages across 100 countries under both his own name and more than 20 other pseudonyms. His style varied with each identity and led to him being regarded as a literary phenomenon. Amongst the many series written were Gideon of Scotland Yard, The Toff, The Baron, Dr. Palfrey and Inspector West, as JJ Marric, Michael Halliday, Patrick Dawlish and others.
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First published January 1, 1968
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About the author
John Creasey
697 books78 followersAKA 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 6, 2025
Picked this up as a blind buy from that popular mystery bookstore in nyc.
Centered around police officers high and low of Scotland Yard. I kind of wanted a Columbo feel and I thought by the synopsis I’d get that. This story centers around a dead body in a river, with a child abduction, and jewel smuggling mixed in.
Can’t say any of the threads were as captivating as I’d like, but it’s super short and was fun live in 70s London for a bit. I have one more of these that I’ll get to one day.
Centered around police officers high and low of Scotland Yard. I kind of wanted a Columbo feel and I thought by the synopsis I’d get that. This story centers around a dead body in a river, with a child abduction, and jewel smuggling mixed in.
Can’t say any of the threads were as captivating as I’d like, but it’s super short and was fun live in 70s London for a bit. I have one more of these that I’ll get to one day.
December 1, 2017
Creasey again has one major plot line in this book. It holds together, and subplots pop out of the major plot. It’s a little like Ian Fleming, but much more personal, with realistic people. Creasy’s strength is in personal, private, intimate moments, and his overall competence as a novelist is increasing.
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.
January 18, 2023
The Gideon series is always well written and usually takes several crimes of different sorts and weaves them together. This is no different as the crimes are all connected to the Thames, a river that Gideon loves, but is often used as a place to smuggle, hide bodies, and plan escapes. The crimes in this one include a missing teenager, a police superintendent bereft over his wife leaving him, smuggled industrial diamonds, and a very fancy fashion show in the center of the Thames. Gideon is a thoughtful man, able to deal with a variety of people well, and aware of biases that he needs to overcome. Not all of the solutions are happy ones and at least one of the planned crimes comes to nothing, because of good communication with the Royal Marines!
September 2, 2021
A great story, full of intrigue
Yes. Another great story from Scotland Yard. Again though, as in the previous books I've read John Creasey's books give explicit detail of the characters involved, the girl Mary Rose, and Dave Carter, were utilised quite differently in the TV series Gideon's way. Great series though.
Yes. Another great story from Scotland Yard. Again though, as in the previous books I've read John Creasey's books give explicit detail of the characters involved, the girl Mary Rose, and Dave Carter, were utilised quite differently in the TV series Gideon's way. Great series though.
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September 22, 2022Workmanlike.
September 24, 2021
Couple of major cases in this one. First up is the smuggling that has been mentioned in previous book(s). This storyline is given more attention in this book with several new developments taking place. The second one involves a fashion show that includes models wearing several million dollars worth of diamonds. A group of criminals plan on appropriating said diamonds. Gideon’s problem is to figure out how they are going to do it. Finally we have the kidnaping of a young girl.
Of the three cases one is left still gangling, though major progress is made. The other two are brought to a conclusion though in one case not a happy one. The major criminals are not caught but there are suggestions that they are. At the end of the book It is said that Gideon will learn certain things later. Whether this occurs in a future book or off-screen will be determined by the reader later.
There are also the usual human interest elements as well. This includes a major development in the life of the inspector in charge of the smuggling investigation. Also this the first book to really feature Alec Hobbs as Gideon’s deputy. All in all a nice addition to the series.
Of the three cases one is left still gangling, though major progress is made. The other two are brought to a conclusion though in one case not a happy one. The major criminals are not caught but there are suggestions that they are. At the end of the book It is said that Gideon will learn certain things later. Whether this occurs in a future book or off-screen will be determined by the reader later.
There are also the usual human interest elements as well. This includes a major development in the life of the inspector in charge of the smuggling investigation. Also this the first book to really feature Alec Hobbs as Gideon’s deputy. All in all a nice addition to the series.
December 8, 2013
I like Gideon and West the best of Creasey's detectives. This one gives an idea about the inter-agency cooperation required in a city the size of London, and how having a river down the middle affects operations.
September 3, 2013
Have always enjoyed the character of Gideon, and like the London settings as I lived there during the 50s and 60s.
July 1, 2014
creasey's gideon
August 11, 2015
Only just started reading J J Marric and am enjoying reading them.
Want to read
April 20, 2019Synopsis: Commander Georges Gideon wades through a swamp of baffling clues: jewel thieves, a kidnapping and a drowning. Over his head?
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews