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Guilty Creatures: A Menagerie of Mysteries
"Curiously enough," said Dr. Manners, "I know a story in which the detection of a murder turned on the behaviour of a bird: in this instance a jackdaw." Since the dawn of the crime fiction genre, animals of all kinds have played a memorable part in countless mysteries, and in a variety of roles: the perpetrator, the key witness, the sleuth's trusted companion. This collection of fourteen stories corrals plots centred around cats, dogs and insects alongside more exotic incidents involving gorillas, parakeets and serpents - complete with a customary shoal of red herrings. From the animal mysteries of Arthur Conan Doyle and F. Tennyson Jesse through to more modern masterpieces of the sub-genre from Christianna Brand and Penelope Wallace, this anthology celebrates one of the liveliest and most imaginative species of classic crime fiction.
315 pages, Paperback
Published June 10, 2021
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314 people want to read
About the author
Martin Edwards
357 books804 followersMartin Edwards has been described by Richard Osman as ‘a true master of British crime writing.’ He has published twenty-three novels, which include the eight Lake District Mysteries, one of which was shortlisted for the Theakston’s Prize for best crime novel of the year and four books featuring Rachel Savernake, including the Dagger-nominated Gallows Court and Blackstone Fell, while Gallows Court and Sepulchre Street were shortlisted for the eDunnit award for best crime novel of the year. He is also the author of two multi-award-winning histories of crime fiction, The Life of Crime and The Golden Age of Murder. He has received three Daggers from the Crime Writers’ Association and two Edgars from the Mystery Writers of America and has also been nominated three times for Gold Daggers. In addition to the CWA Diamond Dagger (the highest honour in UK crime writing) he has received four other lifetime achievement awards: for his fiction, short fiction, non-fiction, and scholarship. He is consultant to the British Library’s Crime Classics, a former Chair of the CWA, and since 2015 has been President of the Detection Club.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 3, 2024
مجموعه داستانی از نویسندگان گوناگون با محوریت حیوانات و جنایت. داستانها اغلب جذابند، ولی قساوت و بیرحمی بهکاررفته در چندتایی از آنها خواندنشان را طاقتفرسا میکند
June 13, 2022
In this latest collection of 14 Golden Age British mystery stories, the general theme that Edwards has used is the presence of animals or creatures of some type. As has been the case with others in this series of books, the results can be uneven at times. And here, in the animal realm, that uneven quality was more evident. But there are two stories that scored a 5 for me. The first is The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane which is written from Holmes’ point of view as it occurred after Holmes’ and Watson’s retirement. This adds an interesting tone to the narrative. My second 5* read was long enough to qualify as a novella, I believe. This is The Yellow Slug by H.C. Bailey. Interesting story with touches of psychology and interesting treatment of children.
There were several other strong stories too but a Father Brown story from Chesterton that was just too old and labored for me.
3.5 rounded to 3* but I believe that those who enjoy classic and Golden Age mystery stories will enjoy this book in spite of any unevenness. After all, enjoyment is always a personal thing.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
There were several other strong stories too but a Father Brown story from Chesterton that was just too old and labored for me.
3.5 rounded to 3* but I believe that those who enjoy classic and Golden Age mystery stories will enjoy this book in spite of any unevenness. After all, enjoyment is always a personal thing.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
May 29, 2022
Another themed anthology from the British Library Crime Classics, this time, mysteries involving animals. As always with these, some are very good and some not. The Man Who Hated Earthworms was just plain daft, as was The Pit of Screams, though I did quite like the very end. My favourite was The Hornets Nest by Christianna Brand, and I would like to check out more of her work. I also enjoyed The Oracle of the Dog, a Father Brown mystery. I have been meaning to read some of these for ages. I also rather liked The Yellow Slugs.
Overall, I liked the collection, and I do think it's a great way of discovering new to me authors.
*Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a review copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*
Overall, I liked the collection, and I do think it's a great way of discovering new to me authors.
*Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a review copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*
May 26, 2022
The title of editor Martin Edwards’ latest anthology is a bit misleading: In each of the short stories included, it’s the humans who are guilty, not the animals.
It’s a rare anthology that isn’t hit and miss; however, unlike Martin’s usual fare, Guilty Creatures contains as many duds and mehs as gems. I blame the paucity of detective/mystery stories with beasts rather than Edwards, an English solicitor and a mystery writer in his own right.
There are some real gems: H.C. Bailey’s “The Yellow Slugs” (1935) and Christianna Brand’s 1967 Inspector Cockrill short story “The Hornet’s Nest.” Readers will never see the shocking ending of Penelope Wallace’s 1965 “The Man Who Loved Animals” coming. Clifford Witting’s 1950 “Hanging by a Hair” and Josephine Bell’s 1958 “Death in a Cage” inspired me to check out the authors’ mystery novel series — no greater compliment!
“The Man Who Hated Earthworms” by Edgar Wallace (Pamela’s pa) is awful, Garnett Radcliffe’s 1938 “Pit of Screams” was simply unreadable, and the rest forgettable. That includes G.K. Chesterton’s “The Oracle of the Dog” (1923) and “The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane” (1926), which is not up to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s usual standard (as is true of many of Conan Doyle’s later stories).
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review.
It’s a rare anthology that isn’t hit and miss; however, unlike Martin’s usual fare, Guilty Creatures contains as many duds and mehs as gems. I blame the paucity of detective/mystery stories with beasts rather than Edwards, an English solicitor and a mystery writer in his own right.
There are some real gems: H.C. Bailey’s “The Yellow Slugs” (1935) and Christianna Brand’s 1967 Inspector Cockrill short story “The Hornet’s Nest.” Readers will never see the shocking ending of Penelope Wallace’s 1965 “The Man Who Loved Animals” coming. Clifford Witting’s 1950 “Hanging by a Hair” and Josephine Bell’s 1958 “Death in a Cage” inspired me to check out the authors’ mystery novel series — no greater compliment!
“The Man Who Hated Earthworms” by Edgar Wallace (Pamela’s pa) is awful, Garnett Radcliffe’s 1938 “Pit of Screams” was simply unreadable, and the rest forgettable. That includes G.K. Chesterton’s “The Oracle of the Dog” (1923) and “The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane” (1926), which is not up to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s usual standard (as is true of many of Conan Doyle’s later stories).
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review.
November 4, 2021
“...and only man is vile”
Another anthology of vintage mystery stories from the British Library and Martin Edwards, this time themed around animals, birds and insects but happily they are all in the nature of clues rather than victims! There are fourteen stories in total, as usual including some very well known authors, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, GK Chesterton and Edgar Wallace, some that were new to me, such as Garnett Radcliffe and Clifford Witting, and some that have become stalwarts of this series, such as HC Bailey and F Tennyson Jesse.
This was an even more mixed bag than usual for me. Although there were several excellent stories, there were an equal number that I felt were quite poor. Overall my individual ratings for each story averaged out to just over 3½ for the fourteen, so that’s the rating I’m giving the book (rounded up). However, the better stories are very enjoyable, so if you don’t mind varying quality there’s still plenty in here to make reading it time well spent.
Here are a few of the ones I enjoyed most:
The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – This is an unusual one in that it’s told by Holmes himself, and Watson isn’t in it. Holmes has retired to the Sussex coast and is present when a teacher from the local school staggers up the beach, mutters something that sounds like “the lion’s mane” and promptly dies. His back is covered in weals as if from a scourge. Suspicion falls on another teacher, but Holmes has his own theory. I can’t tell you what creature is involved in this one since it would be a major spoiler!
The Yellow Slugs by HC Bailey – a Reggie Fortune story. He is called in by Superintendent Bell to a troubling case. A small boy was seen trying to drown his little sister. Both survived and are in hospital. There seems little doubt that the boy meant to kill her, but Reggie wants to know why. He believes that there must have been a very strong reason for a child of that age to act that way, especially since the boy seems to love his sister. This is a chilling and disturbing story. I’ve read a couple of Fortune stories where children have been involved and they seem to bring out his strong sense of justice and an underlying anger, presumably the author’s, at some of the social concerns of the day. The title tells you which creature is involved, but you’ll need to read it if you want to know how!
Pit of Screams by Garnett Radcliffe – a colonial tale. A Rajah keeps a pit of vipers where he sentences criminals to die. There is a pole in the pit where the condemned person can hang above the vipers until their strength gives way and they fall to their doom. It’s a spectator sport! Our narrator tells of one man, unfairly sentenced, and builds some great tension as the man hangs over the pit. The story is complete tosh and has some unfortunate outdated racial stuff, but it’s well written and very entertaining and has a delicious sting in the tail which genuinely took me by surprise.
The Man Who Shot Birds by Mary Fitt – A student is in lodgings when he is visited by a friendly but thieving jackdaw, who makes off with anything shiny he can find. But there’s a man going around the neighbourhood shooting birds, and he seems to be unable to tell the difference between jackdaws and crows (which everyone seems to think it’s OK to shoot).The student is scared for the jackdaw’s safety so decides to try to save it. This is very well done and all the stuff about the jackdaw’s behaviour is lovely. The mystery is weaker, but the entertainment of the story is all in the telling. No major plot spoilers, but for the worried I can confirm the jackdaw isn’t harmed.
So some excellent and varied stories and, as always, despite the varying quality in these anthologies, they are a great way of being introduced to new authors to look out for.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, the British Library.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
Another anthology of vintage mystery stories from the British Library and Martin Edwards, this time themed around animals, birds and insects but happily they are all in the nature of clues rather than victims! There are fourteen stories in total, as usual including some very well known authors, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, GK Chesterton and Edgar Wallace, some that were new to me, such as Garnett Radcliffe and Clifford Witting, and some that have become stalwarts of this series, such as HC Bailey and F Tennyson Jesse.
This was an even more mixed bag than usual for me. Although there were several excellent stories, there were an equal number that I felt were quite poor. Overall my individual ratings for each story averaged out to just over 3½ for the fourteen, so that’s the rating I’m giving the book (rounded up). However, the better stories are very enjoyable, so if you don’t mind varying quality there’s still plenty in here to make reading it time well spent.
Here are a few of the ones I enjoyed most:
The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – This is an unusual one in that it’s told by Holmes himself, and Watson isn’t in it. Holmes has retired to the Sussex coast and is present when a teacher from the local school staggers up the beach, mutters something that sounds like “the lion’s mane” and promptly dies. His back is covered in weals as if from a scourge. Suspicion falls on another teacher, but Holmes has his own theory. I can’t tell you what creature is involved in this one since it would be a major spoiler!
The Yellow Slugs by HC Bailey – a Reggie Fortune story. He is called in by Superintendent Bell to a troubling case. A small boy was seen trying to drown his little sister. Both survived and are in hospital. There seems little doubt that the boy meant to kill her, but Reggie wants to know why. He believes that there must have been a very strong reason for a child of that age to act that way, especially since the boy seems to love his sister. This is a chilling and disturbing story. I’ve read a couple of Fortune stories where children have been involved and they seem to bring out his strong sense of justice and an underlying anger, presumably the author’s, at some of the social concerns of the day. The title tells you which creature is involved, but you’ll need to read it if you want to know how!
Pit of Screams by Garnett Radcliffe – a colonial tale. A Rajah keeps a pit of vipers where he sentences criminals to die. There is a pole in the pit where the condemned person can hang above the vipers until their strength gives way and they fall to their doom. It’s a spectator sport! Our narrator tells of one man, unfairly sentenced, and builds some great tension as the man hangs over the pit. The story is complete tosh and has some unfortunate outdated racial stuff, but it’s well written and very entertaining and has a delicious sting in the tail which genuinely took me by surprise.
The Man Who Shot Birds by Mary Fitt – A student is in lodgings when he is visited by a friendly but thieving jackdaw, who makes off with anything shiny he can find. But there’s a man going around the neighbourhood shooting birds, and he seems to be unable to tell the difference between jackdaws and crows (which everyone seems to think it’s OK to shoot).The student is scared for the jackdaw’s safety so decides to try to save it. This is very well done and all the stuff about the jackdaw’s behaviour is lovely. The mystery is weaker, but the entertainment of the story is all in the telling. No major plot spoilers, but for the worried I can confirm the jackdaw isn’t harmed.
So some excellent and varied stories and, as always, despite the varying quality in these anthologies, they are a great way of being introduced to new authors to look out for.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, the British Library.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
August 5, 2022
Another excellent collection, this time featuring animals--from dogs to hornets--as the agents or witnesses or even victims of crimes by various authors. There are many unfamiliar stories here, as well as the requisite Sherlock Holmes.
October 22, 2021
It’s always a joy to receive one of the latest British Library Crime Classics releases through the post, and this clever anthology of short stories, Guilty Creatures – a Menagerie of Mysteries, is no exception to the rule. (My thanks to the publishers for kindly providing a review copy.) Included here are fourteen vintage mysteries, each featuring an animal, bird or invertebrate of some description as an integral component in the case. As Martin Edwards notes in his introduction:
Animals play an extraordinarily wide variety of roles in crime stories. They may be victims, witnesses, even detectives. (p. 8)
Moreover, they can also provide – or indeed uncover – vital clues in the investigations, as illustrated by some of the best stories showcased here.
As ever with these anthologies, part of the joy of reading them comes from the mix of authors included, ranging from the well-known (Arthur Conan Doyle, G. K. Chesterton and Edgar Wallace) to the somewhat less familiar (Christianna Brand, Mary Fitt and Clifford Witting). Also of note is the seam of darkness running through this collection, with several of the stories channelling a rather sinister vibe not always associated with ‘cosy crime’ fiction from this era. It’s something that gives this anthology an interesting edge, very much in line with the predatory characteristics one might observe within the animal kingdom itself. On that ominous note, I’ll start with some of the gentler stories here and work my way up to the more ruthless end of the spectrum…
In Arthur Morrison’s The Case of Janissary – one of my favourites in the anthology – Janissary, a much-fancied horse, is the intended victim of a crime, destined to be ‘nobbled’ in advance of a key race to fix the outcome. The Redbury Stakes has attracted significant interest from the betting fraternity, with sizeable amounts of money riding on Janissary as the pre-race favourite. Needless to say, an attempt to sabotage the frontrunner is launched, only to culminate in a very interesting twist. This delightful story features Horace Dorrington, a Raffles-like scoundrel who combines investigation with crafty trickery in rather unexpected ways.
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
https://jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2021...
Animals play an extraordinarily wide variety of roles in crime stories. They may be victims, witnesses, even detectives. (p. 8)
Moreover, they can also provide – or indeed uncover – vital clues in the investigations, as illustrated by some of the best stories showcased here.
As ever with these anthologies, part of the joy of reading them comes from the mix of authors included, ranging from the well-known (Arthur Conan Doyle, G. K. Chesterton and Edgar Wallace) to the somewhat less familiar (Christianna Brand, Mary Fitt and Clifford Witting). Also of note is the seam of darkness running through this collection, with several of the stories channelling a rather sinister vibe not always associated with ‘cosy crime’ fiction from this era. It’s something that gives this anthology an interesting edge, very much in line with the predatory characteristics one might observe within the animal kingdom itself. On that ominous note, I’ll start with some of the gentler stories here and work my way up to the more ruthless end of the spectrum…
In Arthur Morrison’s The Case of Janissary – one of my favourites in the anthology – Janissary, a much-fancied horse, is the intended victim of a crime, destined to be ‘nobbled’ in advance of a key race to fix the outcome. The Redbury Stakes has attracted significant interest from the betting fraternity, with sizeable amounts of money riding on Janissary as the pre-race favourite. Needless to say, an attempt to sabotage the frontrunner is launched, only to culminate in a very interesting twist. This delightful story features Horace Dorrington, a Raffles-like scoundrel who combines investigation with crafty trickery in rather unexpected ways.
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
https://jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2021...
May 13, 2022
I'm thankful to Netgalley for the chance to review this collection. Any fan of mysteries from this period, and any animal lovers, are in for an absolute treat! This was a delightful collection of mysteries in a variety of styles, all sharing the common theme of animals. I enjoyed the forwards that talk more in depth about the role of animals in mysteries. I would have eagerly read the whole book on that topic alone.
Some stories I was familiar with and others were new to me. I can't say I loved every individual story, but as an overall look at animals in mysteries of that time I was very pleased. However, the forwards were the real treat of this book and gave me so much new insight to each piece.
Some stories I was familiar with and others were new to me. I can't say I loved every individual story, but as an overall look at animals in mysteries of that time I was very pleased. However, the forwards were the real treat of this book and gave me so much new insight to each piece.
May 30, 2022
"Guilty Creatures" is the latest vintage mystery short-story anthology from British Library Crime Classics/Poisoned Pen Press, edited by Martin Edwards. This outing is all about mysteries where an animal is a key component of the case.
A few of the stories were familiar, but were welcome re-reads, like Doyle's "The Adventure of the Lion's Mane." I'd forgotten that Doyle did occasionally have Holmes self-narrate a tale, and it's interesting to see Holmes through his own eyes.
Some of the stories are weaker, mystery-wise, such as "The Man Who Shot Birds" by Mary Fitt, but the tale itself is so entertaining that that can be overlooked.
"PIt of Screams" by Garnett Radcliffe is another one I'd read before, but I'd forgotten the trick ending, which is a very pleasing one.
You can't go wrong with Christianna Brand, whose Inspector Cockrill makes a welcome appearance in "The Hornet's Nest." This is another one I'd read before, but it's just so good and so unexpected that it's worth the time spent to read again.
The anthology is a mixed bag, but is well worth reading just for these gems.
3.75/5 stars
I received an advance copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
A few of the stories were familiar, but were welcome re-reads, like Doyle's "The Adventure of the Lion's Mane." I'd forgotten that Doyle did occasionally have Holmes self-narrate a tale, and it's interesting to see Holmes through his own eyes.
Some of the stories are weaker, mystery-wise, such as "The Man Who Shot Birds" by Mary Fitt, but the tale itself is so entertaining that that can be overlooked.
"PIt of Screams" by Garnett Radcliffe is another one I'd read before, but I'd forgotten the trick ending, which is a very pleasing one.
You can't go wrong with Christianna Brand, whose Inspector Cockrill makes a welcome appearance in "The Hornet's Nest." This is another one I'd read before, but it's just so good and so unexpected that it's worth the time spent to read again.
The anthology is a mixed bag, but is well worth reading just for these gems.
3.75/5 stars
I received an advance copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
October 21, 2021
A mixed bag- I enjoyed the common animal theme to the short stories.
I liked the 'period' writing style, some stories I liked more than others which I believe to be natural given that they were all written by different authors.
One of the stories I skipped due to the fact I read 10 pages and couldn't gel with the writing style- the yellow slugs.
I would like to read more short story anthologies to see whether this genre is for me or whether I prefer longer books and series.
I'm hoping to pick up more of Martin Edwards anthologies in the future, I've got my eye on a Christmas one for the festive period!
I liked the 'period' writing style, some stories I liked more than others which I believe to be natural given that they were all written by different authors.
One of the stories I skipped due to the fact I read 10 pages and couldn't gel with the writing style- the yellow slugs.
I would like to read more short story anthologies to see whether this genre is for me or whether I prefer longer books and series.
I'm hoping to pick up more of Martin Edwards anthologies in the future, I've got my eye on a Christmas one for the festive period!
May 25, 2022
5/25/2022 3.5 rounded up. A solid collection of British fair play mystery short stories. Full review tk at CriminalElement.com.
June 12, 2022
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Guilty Creatures: A Menagerie of Mysteries is an anthology of classic crime fiction featuring animals in one way or another collected and curated by Martin Edwards. Released 7th June 2022 by Poisoned Pen Press as part of the British Library Crime Classics series, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is another worthy anthology in a long-running collection of well- and lesser-known classics from the British crime fiction of yesteryear. These 14 stories, originally published between 1892 and 1967 are taken from the oeuvre of luminaries like Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle (The Lion's Mane), and G.K. Chesterton (The Oracle of the Dog) and others, possibly not as well known to most readers. All of the authors were previously familiar to me, but several of the stories included here were new to me in any form. It's a well rounded collection and all but the most stalwart and well read connoisseur will find stories they've never read.
For me, one of the biggest draws of the books in the crime classics series are the erudite and always interesting introductions by editor Martin Edwards. Mr. Edwards has a prodigious knowledge of the genre and writes engagingly and well.
Well written, this entry and the series as a whole are well worth seeking out. This would make a superlative selection for readers of the genre as well as an introduction to classic crime fiction from the golden age. It's so nice to see these being released for a new generation of fans.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Guilty Creatures: A Menagerie of Mysteries is an anthology of classic crime fiction featuring animals in one way or another collected and curated by Martin Edwards. Released 7th June 2022 by Poisoned Pen Press as part of the British Library Crime Classics series, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is another worthy anthology in a long-running collection of well- and lesser-known classics from the British crime fiction of yesteryear. These 14 stories, originally published between 1892 and 1967 are taken from the oeuvre of luminaries like Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle (The Lion's Mane), and G.K. Chesterton (The Oracle of the Dog) and others, possibly not as well known to most readers. All of the authors were previously familiar to me, but several of the stories included here were new to me in any form. It's a well rounded collection and all but the most stalwart and well read connoisseur will find stories they've never read.
For me, one of the biggest draws of the books in the crime classics series are the erudite and always interesting introductions by editor Martin Edwards. Mr. Edwards has a prodigious knowledge of the genre and writes engagingly and well.
Well written, this entry and the series as a whole are well worth seeking out. This would make a superlative selection for readers of the genre as well as an introduction to classic crime fiction from the golden age. It's so nice to see these being released for a new generation of fans.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
November 15, 2022
I have read a lot of books released by the British Library Crime Classics. To the point that when I went to secondhand bookstores last month, I first picked all of them I found and only then weeded some out! Not all are of the same interest levels, but here I think the book gets progressively more interesting, with better stories further into the collection than in the beginning. I list them out briefly because if I ever want to recollect them, this will be easier.
I rated only what I thought of the mystery and how it made me feel. Almost all were consistently written in a style that I have always appreciated. I grew up on such writing and with some variation, the collection tends to stick to a certain method of introduction and narration. I would recommend this to readers of this genre, just to explore all the variety.
The Adventure of the Lion’s mane by Arthur Conan Doyle (1926)
This is one that I have previously read and not enjoyed too much. It is an interesting plot which bears all the hallmarks of a Holmes story, with him narrating his own adventure. A man is found dead near a beach with no explanation for the scars on him or how he died. There is at least one suspect, but Sherlock Holmes winds it all up quite neatly. – 3 stars (Not one of my favourites, does not feel too satisfying)
The Case of Janissary by Arthur Morisson (1897)
A not-so-honest man is at the centre of the plot. This makes the ultimate resolution a little harder to stomach. The mystery itself was interesting enough for me to keep reading. Unresolved death and bets are the clues that have one man setting a trap. What happens after forms the bulk of the narrative (3 stars)
The Sapient Monkey by Headon Hill (1892)
This felt very familiar, although the end result was new. There is a bank robbery, and a young man with a sterling reputation is the accused. The way the issue is resolved is different but provides no opportunity for the reader to make an educated guess. (2 stars)
The Green Parrakeet by F. Tennyson Jesse (1918)
This story went on a little longer than I expected it to. It lays out the foundation of the place and the people pretty well before even venturing into the possible plot. There is a strange couple looking after an even stranger girl whose only sole care is for a green Parakeet. A visitor to the neighbourhood gets attached to her and therefore ends up speeding up the end of the events. This last part was not satisfying to someone like me.(2 stars)
The Oracle of the dog by GK Chesterton (1923)
This is the point the stories change (or so I felt). Although the foundation of the story happens as a third person narrating it, it was quite fascinating. I liked finding out what the dog’s actions meant. I almost chuckled at that point. I am one of those people who tends to generalize with fewer examples than required, and felt this a good antidote to that kind of thinking.(4 stars)
The Man who hated Earthworms by Edgar Wallace (1921)
The anti-heroes in this story have a longer tale (which I found out thanks to the introduction), of which this is a small piece. Two men are hiding out and ensuring they are not caught by the law for things they have done for the greater good. During a random, ill-advised dinner, certain things come to light. Although the ending is not one I usually like, it felt like there was no other way things could have gone for the chapter to close. The enormity of the consequences also felt new in a story like this.(3 stars)
The Courtyard of the Fly by Vincent Cornier (1932)
The story here moves through several years before reaching a conclusion but going from start to finish felt engaging. A man loses jewellery stolen by an insect, or so he claims. These claims almost ruin his life, but he keeps moving on. I found the explanation more plausible than I would have imagined given how things had happened.(3 stars)
The Yellow Slugs by H.C.Bailey (1935)’
I saw one of the twists coming in this story, but the narrative made me wait for the reveal. It begins with two children being cared for when their backstory comes into play. There are many detours taken in this relatively short plot, but the route and the people are very vivid. It did not feel like such an old story at all – it could take its place with some of the more recent thrillers. (4 stars)
Pit of Screams by Garnett Radcliffe (1938/1958)
This was not a mystery. I did not see the ending coming, mostly because I kept waiting for something else to happen. The story is set in India with a crazy ruler behaving even crazier with his courtiers.The snakes are not as important as I would have otherwise thought (2 stars)
Hanging by a Hair by Clifford Witting (1950)
This was the most entertaining of the lot, for some reason. The characters in this are all unlikeable, but given the duration of the time we spend with them, it was quite surprising how easy it was to form opinions on what could have happened and what to think of the people themselves. A man is cheating on his wife quite brazenly, and his mistress is found dead after his visit. The cats are definitely important here.(5 stars)
The Man Who Shot Birds by Mary Fitt (1954)
There is a lot of building up to the moment in this one, with the past being described as well as the present. We have a man wanting to shoot Jackdaws for no reason whatsoever while a close-enough neighbour keeps an eye on his strange behaviour. I expected the twists, but overall was satisfied with the time I spent with it. (3 stars)
Death in a Cage by Josephine Bell (1958)
Given the ominous situation at the very beginning, I was quite sure about what events were set to occur. I was wrong about half of them. The death occurs in a zoo, and it is with extremely small chance encounters that the issue is resolved, but it feels possible for the reader to follow the logic without dwelling too much on it.(3 stars)
The Man who loved Animals by Penelope Wallace (1965)
I enjoyed the writing and the secrecy behind the narrating voice. A woman is chatting up a man who claims to have great skills with all animals. he seems like he is lonely and alone. I was, therefore, thrown by the ending, which felt almost unnecessary. I will not go any further into it because that twist is what drives the plot. (2 stars)
The Hornet’s Nest by Christianna Brand (1967)
This is a proper police procedural, with the entire family being introduced before dinner. Then a death occurs, and there are more suspects than the investigating officer (who was also present at the scene) would care for. the possibilities keep changing, to the point that I almost saw the ending coming, but the author sifted through all possibilities anyway so my guess had to be there somewhere!(4 stars)
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review si entirely based on my ownreading experience.
I rated only what I thought of the mystery and how it made me feel. Almost all were consistently written in a style that I have always appreciated. I grew up on such writing and with some variation, the collection tends to stick to a certain method of introduction and narration. I would recommend this to readers of this genre, just to explore all the variety.
The Adventure of the Lion’s mane by Arthur Conan Doyle (1926)
This is one that I have previously read and not enjoyed too much. It is an interesting plot which bears all the hallmarks of a Holmes story, with him narrating his own adventure. A man is found dead near a beach with no explanation for the scars on him or how he died. There is at least one suspect, but Sherlock Holmes winds it all up quite neatly. – 3 stars (Not one of my favourites, does not feel too satisfying)
The Case of Janissary by Arthur Morisson (1897)
A not-so-honest man is at the centre of the plot. This makes the ultimate resolution a little harder to stomach. The mystery itself was interesting enough for me to keep reading. Unresolved death and bets are the clues that have one man setting a trap. What happens after forms the bulk of the narrative (3 stars)
The Sapient Monkey by Headon Hill (1892)
This felt very familiar, although the end result was new. There is a bank robbery, and a young man with a sterling reputation is the accused. The way the issue is resolved is different but provides no opportunity for the reader to make an educated guess. (2 stars)
The Green Parrakeet by F. Tennyson Jesse (1918)
This story went on a little longer than I expected it to. It lays out the foundation of the place and the people pretty well before even venturing into the possible plot. There is a strange couple looking after an even stranger girl whose only sole care is for a green Parakeet. A visitor to the neighbourhood gets attached to her and therefore ends up speeding up the end of the events. This last part was not satisfying to someone like me.(2 stars)
The Oracle of the dog by GK Chesterton (1923)
This is the point the stories change (or so I felt). Although the foundation of the story happens as a third person narrating it, it was quite fascinating. I liked finding out what the dog’s actions meant. I almost chuckled at that point. I am one of those people who tends to generalize with fewer examples than required, and felt this a good antidote to that kind of thinking.(4 stars)
The Man who hated Earthworms by Edgar Wallace (1921)
The anti-heroes in this story have a longer tale (which I found out thanks to the introduction), of which this is a small piece. Two men are hiding out and ensuring they are not caught by the law for things they have done for the greater good. During a random, ill-advised dinner, certain things come to light. Although the ending is not one I usually like, it felt like there was no other way things could have gone for the chapter to close. The enormity of the consequences also felt new in a story like this.(3 stars)
The Courtyard of the Fly by Vincent Cornier (1932)
The story here moves through several years before reaching a conclusion but going from start to finish felt engaging. A man loses jewellery stolen by an insect, or so he claims. These claims almost ruin his life, but he keeps moving on. I found the explanation more plausible than I would have imagined given how things had happened.(3 stars)
The Yellow Slugs by H.C.Bailey (1935)’
I saw one of the twists coming in this story, but the narrative made me wait for the reveal. It begins with two children being cared for when their backstory comes into play. There are many detours taken in this relatively short plot, but the route and the people are very vivid. It did not feel like such an old story at all – it could take its place with some of the more recent thrillers. (4 stars)
Pit of Screams by Garnett Radcliffe (1938/1958)
This was not a mystery. I did not see the ending coming, mostly because I kept waiting for something else to happen. The story is set in India with a crazy ruler behaving even crazier with his courtiers.The snakes are not as important as I would have otherwise thought (2 stars)
Hanging by a Hair by Clifford Witting (1950)
This was the most entertaining of the lot, for some reason. The characters in this are all unlikeable, but given the duration of the time we spend with them, it was quite surprising how easy it was to form opinions on what could have happened and what to think of the people themselves. A man is cheating on his wife quite brazenly, and his mistress is found dead after his visit. The cats are definitely important here.(5 stars)
The Man Who Shot Birds by Mary Fitt (1954)
There is a lot of building up to the moment in this one, with the past being described as well as the present. We have a man wanting to shoot Jackdaws for no reason whatsoever while a close-enough neighbour keeps an eye on his strange behaviour. I expected the twists, but overall was satisfied with the time I spent with it. (3 stars)
Death in a Cage by Josephine Bell (1958)
Given the ominous situation at the very beginning, I was quite sure about what events were set to occur. I was wrong about half of them. The death occurs in a zoo, and it is with extremely small chance encounters that the issue is resolved, but it feels possible for the reader to follow the logic without dwelling too much on it.(3 stars)
The Man who loved Animals by Penelope Wallace (1965)
I enjoyed the writing and the secrecy behind the narrating voice. A woman is chatting up a man who claims to have great skills with all animals. he seems like he is lonely and alone. I was, therefore, thrown by the ending, which felt almost unnecessary. I will not go any further into it because that twist is what drives the plot. (2 stars)
The Hornet’s Nest by Christianna Brand (1967)
This is a proper police procedural, with the entire family being introduced before dinner. Then a death occurs, and there are more suspects than the investigating officer (who was also present at the scene) would care for. the possibilities keep changing, to the point that I almost saw the ending coming, but the author sifted through all possibilities anyway so my guess had to be there somewhere!(4 stars)
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review si entirely based on my ownreading experience.
May 23, 2022
The British Library’s Crime Classic, Guilty Creatures, is once again edited by Martin Edwards. It’s a collection of 14 short stories, all featuring animals, birds, insects, etc.. The stories are:
'The Adventure of the Lion's Mane' - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
'The Case of Janissary' - Arthur Morrison
'The Sapient Monkey' - Headon Hill
'The Green Parrakeet' - F Tennyson Jesse
'The Oracle of the Dog' - GK Chesterton
'The Man Who Hated Earthworms' - Edgar Wallace
'The Courtyard of the Fly' - Vincent Cornier
'The Yellow Slugs' - HC Bailey
'Pit of Screams' - Garnett Radcliffe
'Hanging by a Hair' - Clifford Witting
'The Man Who Shot Birds' - Mary Fitt
'Death in a Cage' - Josephine Bell
'The Man Who Loved Animals' - Penelope Wallace
'The Hornets' Nest' - Christianna Brand
I’m glad I read the book, as it introduced me to some new authors, such as F Tennyson Jesse and Headon Hill. I thought Brand’s The Hornets’ Nest was well done, as Inspector Cockrell suggested various solutions, only to show that they couldn’t be right.
However, I’m afraid most of the tales left me cold. The Man who Hated Earthworms; Pit of Screams; and The Man Who Loved Animals are not mysteries at all and one wonders why they were included. Bailey’s The Yellow Slugs was disappointing. Reggie Fortune is hard going and this tale just wasn’t worth the effort.
Not up to the usual BLCC standard!
'The Adventure of the Lion's Mane' - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
'The Case of Janissary' - Arthur Morrison
'The Sapient Monkey' - Headon Hill
'The Green Parrakeet' - F Tennyson Jesse
'The Oracle of the Dog' - GK Chesterton
'The Man Who Hated Earthworms' - Edgar Wallace
'The Courtyard of the Fly' - Vincent Cornier
'The Yellow Slugs' - HC Bailey
'Pit of Screams' - Garnett Radcliffe
'Hanging by a Hair' - Clifford Witting
'The Man Who Shot Birds' - Mary Fitt
'Death in a Cage' - Josephine Bell
'The Man Who Loved Animals' - Penelope Wallace
'The Hornets' Nest' - Christianna Brand
I’m glad I read the book, as it introduced me to some new authors, such as F Tennyson Jesse and Headon Hill. I thought Brand’s The Hornets’ Nest was well done, as Inspector Cockrell suggested various solutions, only to show that they couldn’t be right.
However, I’m afraid most of the tales left me cold. The Man who Hated Earthworms; Pit of Screams; and The Man Who Loved Animals are not mysteries at all and one wonders why they were included. Bailey’s The Yellow Slugs was disappointing. Reggie Fortune is hard going and this tale just wasn’t worth the effort.
Not up to the usual BLCC standard!
September 28, 2022
Got this out the library! Yay libraries. And what an interesting variety of mysteries. Using the theme of animals in mysteries really conjured up stories that pushed the envelop and really brought in some different emotions and situations in each story. Also reminded me of how much we dismiss animals and nature around us in general.
If you want something to surprise you a bit more in the Golden Age of Detection- this is a book to pick up. Also, some stories by harder to find authors and authors who are just now being reprinted after decades.
If you want something to surprise you a bit more in the Golden Age of Detection- this is a book to pick up. Also, some stories by harder to find authors and authors who are just now being reprinted after decades.
September 30, 2022
While all of the stories involved animals (or insects), a couple were a stretch for "animal-themed mystery." Still, another very good collection in the series with one of my favorite Holmes stories.
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May 12, 2022Netgalley
pub date June 10 2022
Poisoned Pen Press
pub date June 10 2022
Poisoned Pen Press
February 17, 2022
I didn't like this one nearly as much as the other collections in the series. In this case, the theme of the book gives away what may otherwise have come as twists for some of the stories. Fewer of the stories than usual are actual murder mysteries, and more of the stories are from the perpetrators' viewpoints or otherwise unconventionally structured. Just overall not as fun as the locked room or Christmas ones, although I do appreciate that as usual the collection was full of more obscure stories readers are unlikely to have come across before.
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
September 5, 2022
Most of these are pretty crap. A few are ok, at best. Yet I still find it kind of an enjoyable read, even if I was flagging by the end. Some of these are real dregs and barely resemble anything you'd usually see in the mystery genre - they're mostly of historical interest. As other people have pointed out the lowlight is the absurd "The Man Who Was Scared of Earthworms", a story whose only point of mild interest is given away in the title it's total nonsense that sounds much more entertaining as a summary than it actually is. Another story is a racist one about the brutality of native Indian rulers but it also has a trial by ordeal where the method is "endurance bookkeeping" so who can say if it's bad or not (it's awful). A lot of these stories make sense as low effort filler written for short story magazines or newspapers at a time when that was a thing and people wanted some low engagement pulp. It's hard to see much appeal except as curiosities now. There's also one story where being included in a collection of animal-focused stories makes the title itself a spoiler: "The adventure of the lion's mane" is not a stellar Sherlock Holmes story but the one thing it has going for it - the unusual nature of the crime and how death occured - is ruined if you have any familiarity with the sea. Which is a shame.
And yet... I do enjoy the generic mystery format precisely because they can be so low effort and still give a measure of satisfaction, just due to having a puzzle and then explaining it. Again, most of the puzzles and explanations here are pretty rough. But still! It was a reasonably nice time reading through it. Just only worth it if you really like generic pulp mystery stuff.
And yet... I do enjoy the generic mystery format precisely because they can be so low effort and still give a measure of satisfaction, just due to having a puzzle and then explaining it. Again, most of the puzzles and explanations here are pretty rough. But still! It was a reasonably nice time reading through it. Just only worth it if you really like generic pulp mystery stuff.
May 27, 2022
I was so pleasantly surprised by this anthology. To be honest, I usually favor full-length novels over short story collections, but I had a great time reading this. There was so much variety in tone and style, so it never felt redundant or repetitive. The story introductions by editor Martin Edwards also gave some great insight into each of the writers and their careers—thanks to this, my TBR list just got even longer!
As for the stories themselves, here were a few of my personal favorites:
The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane by Arthur Conan Doyle
What a nice surprise to find a Sherlock Holmes story that I’d never read right at the start of this book. I love this type of mystery where the crime seems completely inexplicable and bizarre at first, only for there to be one simple solution at the end that explains everything easily.
The Man Who Hated Earthworms by Edgar Wallace
I absolutely loved this one. So bizarre and quirky, just the kind of tone I like in a classic. I really enjoyed the personalities of these characters, and the criminal that they manage to thwart was just hilarious.
The Yellow Slugs by H.C. Bailey
This is a completely different tone than any of the others in the anthology. It almost has the atmosphere of an episode of Law and Order or House. I wasn’t sure if I really liked it at first, but it ended up being one of the most memorable in the collection for me.
The Man Who Shot Birds by Mary Fitt
I love birds, especially corvids, so this endearing story about a jackdaw who plays a role in clearing up an unsolved crime was a nice surprise. The writing style was very readable as well.
The Hornet’s Nest by Christianna Brand
A great whodunit mystery full of back-and-forth twists and red herrings, and a strong note to end the book on.
Overall, I thought this collection was brilliant. I would highly recommend checking it out if crime classics are your cup of tea. And a huge thank-you to Poisoned Pen Press for granting me access to the ARC!
As for the stories themselves, here were a few of my personal favorites:
The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane by Arthur Conan Doyle
What a nice surprise to find a Sherlock Holmes story that I’d never read right at the start of this book. I love this type of mystery where the crime seems completely inexplicable and bizarre at first, only for there to be one simple solution at the end that explains everything easily.
The Man Who Hated Earthworms by Edgar Wallace
I absolutely loved this one. So bizarre and quirky, just the kind of tone I like in a classic. I really enjoyed the personalities of these characters, and the criminal that they manage to thwart was just hilarious.
The Yellow Slugs by H.C. Bailey
This is a completely different tone than any of the others in the anthology. It almost has the atmosphere of an episode of Law and Order or House. I wasn’t sure if I really liked it at first, but it ended up being one of the most memorable in the collection for me.
The Man Who Shot Birds by Mary Fitt
I love birds, especially corvids, so this endearing story about a jackdaw who plays a role in clearing up an unsolved crime was a nice surprise. The writing style was very readable as well.
The Hornet’s Nest by Christianna Brand
A great whodunit mystery full of back-and-forth twists and red herrings, and a strong note to end the book on.
Overall, I thought this collection was brilliant. I would highly recommend checking it out if crime classics are your cup of tea. And a huge thank-you to Poisoned Pen Press for granting me access to the ARC!
February 16, 2024
A collection of ripe, vintage crime stories where an important character is an animal. We start with Holmes – that man who so often lets a crook walk free, but here is seen to kill off the guilty. Next, someone supposed to prevent a racehorse getting drugged out of the running, doesn't. Is this young man really the guilty felon who has taken a whole £500 from the bank that employs him? Can a woman detective really identify evil where the average man cannot? Does a dog really howl at the death of his master some way away, stabbed in a perfect locked-room mystery?
Can a devastation of Europe's vermian population be prevented? What kind of fly can steal away a ridiculously valuable pearl necklace? Did a child really intend to kill his younger sister, to keep her from joining him in hell? How can an accountancy contest result in such a gory death, in a pit of Indian vipers? Can a cat-hating philanderer get away with murder? Why is someone determined to keep a known thief away from a gunman who might be able to put the world to rights? Why has someone been found dead and being disposed of by Regent's Park Zoo's vultures? How can the world's best animal lover have it bad? Finally, cold meets at a wedding breakfast aren't quite the funeral foods of Hamlet, but they look destined to serve a further ceremony when the groom pitches dead into the pudding.
All told nothing here is wonderful, but nothing poor (apart perhaps from the way the female contributors are all lumped into the later pages through chronology). It's certainly the varied and diverse collection that does manage to justify its perhaps doubt-inspiring premise. Those with the predilection for such antiques will find this a fine time-passer.
Can a devastation of Europe's vermian population be prevented? What kind of fly can steal away a ridiculously valuable pearl necklace? Did a child really intend to kill his younger sister, to keep her from joining him in hell? How can an accountancy contest result in such a gory death, in a pit of Indian vipers? Can a cat-hating philanderer get away with murder? Why is someone determined to keep a known thief away from a gunman who might be able to put the world to rights? Why has someone been found dead and being disposed of by Regent's Park Zoo's vultures? How can the world's best animal lover have it bad? Finally, cold meets at a wedding breakfast aren't quite the funeral foods of Hamlet, but they look destined to serve a further ceremony when the groom pitches dead into the pudding.
All told nothing here is wonderful, but nothing poor (apart perhaps from the way the female contributors are all lumped into the later pages through chronology). It's certainly the varied and diverse collection that does manage to justify its perhaps doubt-inspiring premise. Those with the predilection for such antiques will find this a fine time-passer.
June 17, 2022
“Guilty Creatures: A Menagerie of Mysteries” is one of the latest offerings in the British Library Crime Classics series, edited and introduced by Martin Edwards, a superb set of books that brings out some lesser-known mysteries and thrillers from the gold age of mysteries. This release is a collection of short stories, all having to do with animals in one form or another. As is usual with these short story collections, we have a mix of known authors and unknown, interesting stories and some that may be better off forgotten.
What were some of the highlights/lowlights? We start off with Sherlock Holmes, in one of lesser efforts. “The Green Parrakeet” was an odd story, with an odd resolution. I am still quite unsure about my feelings for Father Brown, and this entry didn’t make me feel much better about him. “The Courtyard of the Fly” was an odd story as well, with mystery taking years to solve. “Pit of Screams” was a short macabre morality tale. “The Man Who Loved Animals” is another dark tale…. I guess most of these were a bit to odd/dark for my liking. “The Hornet’s Nest” ends the collection, another dark tale but really probably the most enjoyable story in this collection.
For some reason, I feel that this was the weakest collection so far – there were many of these stories that I had forgotten as soon as I turned the page, it was really only towards the end of the book that they became much more interesting. Oh well, not every collection can be a winner.
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
What were some of the highlights/lowlights? We start off with Sherlock Holmes, in one of lesser efforts. “The Green Parrakeet” was an odd story, with an odd resolution. I am still quite unsure about my feelings for Father Brown, and this entry didn’t make me feel much better about him. “The Courtyard of the Fly” was an odd story as well, with mystery taking years to solve. “Pit of Screams” was a short macabre morality tale. “The Man Who Loved Animals” is another dark tale…. I guess most of these were a bit to odd/dark for my liking. “The Hornet’s Nest” ends the collection, another dark tale but really probably the most enjoyable story in this collection.
For some reason, I feel that this was the weakest collection so far – there were many of these stories that I had forgotten as soon as I turned the page, it was really only towards the end of the book that they became much more interesting. Oh well, not every collection can be a winner.
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
June 3, 2022
Aptly-named Guilty Creatures is a delicious collection of fourteen short mysteries written by well-known and lesser-known authors mostly during the Golden Age of crime classics. Martin Edwards does a splendid job of showcasing these authors, many of whom are familiar to me and some of whom I was happy to learn more about in his descriptions which preface each mystery. Animals such as monkeys, horses, dogs and birds are highlighted and are victims, witnesses and detectives in these impossible crimes. Far fetched? You decide.
Amongst my favourites are G. K. Chesterton's riveting The Oracle of the Dog, Penelope Wallace's The Man Who Loved Animals (the ending in particular) and Christianna Brand's The Hornet Nest. The most memorable will always be the short but effective The Pit of Screams by Garnett Radcliffe. Not exactly realistic but it need not be. Each author has his/her unique writing style, some are more engaging than others, all fascinating.
It is not necessary to be an animal lover like myself to enjoy these stories. They are pure joy to read. Just get lost in them whether they are believable or not and be transported
My sincere thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this marvelous book!
Amongst my favourites are G. K. Chesterton's riveting The Oracle of the Dog, Penelope Wallace's The Man Who Loved Animals (the ending in particular) and Christianna Brand's The Hornet Nest. The most memorable will always be the short but effective The Pit of Screams by Garnett Radcliffe. Not exactly realistic but it need not be. Each author has his/her unique writing style, some are more engaging than others, all fascinating.
It is not necessary to be an animal lover like myself to enjoy these stories. They are pure joy to read. Just get lost in them whether they are believable or not and be transported
My sincere thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this marvelous book!
June 18, 2021
I wonder if it is now time for BLCC to stop issuing these under themes and perhaps just calling them Summer and Christmas collections? For me an animal centred set of tales came out as a bit of a mongrel.
This was rather a stolid bunch with nothing very outstanding but nothing too awful either. It was just... middling.
I also wonder about the organization of the stories. In the past it has been roughly chronological. Here it was in date order from the seventh to fourteenth but jumbled before that. A recent American anthology I read used alphabetical by author's surname which worked quite well. Only five of the authors are women, who are generally under-represented in these compilations.
The stories range over the period 1892-1967, from a lion's mane which has no lion, to a nest which has no real hornets.
Some were downright dull. As I get older I like Chesterton less and less and the Father Brown story sat like a lump in the middle of this. However it was worth buying for Clifford Witting, Tennyson Jesse, Mary Fitt, Vincent Cornier and Garnet Radcliffe.
3.5 stars especially since the notes on the authors and the bibliographical information were useful and interesting.
This was rather a stolid bunch with nothing very outstanding but nothing too awful either. It was just... middling.
I also wonder about the organization of the stories. In the past it has been roughly chronological. Here it was in date order from the seventh to fourteenth but jumbled before that. A recent American anthology I read used alphabetical by author's surname which worked quite well. Only five of the authors are women, who are generally under-represented in these compilations.
The stories range over the period 1892-1967, from a lion's mane which has no lion, to a nest which has no real hornets.
Some were downright dull. As I get older I like Chesterton less and less and the Father Brown story sat like a lump in the middle of this. However it was worth buying for Clifford Witting, Tennyson Jesse, Mary Fitt, Vincent Cornier and Garnet Radcliffe.
3.5 stars especially since the notes on the authors and the bibliographical information were useful and interesting.
July 31, 2022
It's been many years since I've read short stories, so I was interested in structure, plotting, and characterization. Most of these short stories ran about 20 pages, so there wasn't much time for characterization or nuance. The writer had to get straight to the point and start building the case immediately. Two or three of the authors used a hypothetical newspaper article to set the crime, so they could jump straight into the resolution. In at least two, the crime is delayed until the end. The writer of "The Yellow Slugs," the longest of the stories, had a little more time to develop the crime and build a character. Fortune is, because of the luxury of more time, an interesting and entertaining character. On the other hand, "The Man Who Loved Animals" is the shortest, but Sam is well enough developed that the reader develops an attachment to him. There's a great deal of variation in how the writers build the story and how many words are devoted to each of the elements of story-telling. The final short story, "The Hornet's Nest" is a classic locked room mystery. The writer packs a lot into a few pages, yet does it well.
January 22, 2025
About 3.4 stars, for another mixed bag. I most enjoyed "The Yellow Slugs", for the characterizations, and "Pit of Screams" for the breezy humor, but also liked "The Green Parakeet", "The Courtyard of the Fly", "The Man Who Shot Birds," and "Death in a Cage". These managed to do the best within the limitations of the short story.
I liked least Conan Doyle's "The Adventure of the Lion's Mane", mostly because the state of scientific knowledge was so poor at the time compared to today when I imagine most modern readers are similarly able to solve the so-called mystery immediately, as well as "Hanging by a Hair", which just seemed too brief and unrealized, and "The Man Who Loved Animals", which despite an interesting style of writing just didn't quite work.
I also continue to not be a fan of GK Chesterton, who's Father Brown complains
Oh, the irony.
I liked least Conan Doyle's "The Adventure of the Lion's Mane", mostly because the state of scientific knowledge was so poor at the time compared to today when I imagine most modern readers are similarly able to solve the so-called mystery immediately, as well as "Hanging by a Hair", which just seemed too brief and unrealized, and "The Man Who Loved Animals", which despite an interesting style of writing just didn't quite work.
I also continue to not be a fan of GK Chesterton, who's Father Brown complains
People readily swallow the untested claims of this, that, or the other. It's drowning all your old rationalism and skepticism, it's coming in like a sea; and the name of it is superstition ... It's the first effect of not believing in God that you lose your common sense and can't see things as they are.
Oh, the irony.
May 27, 2022
"Guilty Creatures" is a collection of 14 short story mysteries written between the 1890s and 1960s. These stories either had an animal as the intended victim (a racehorse, etc.) or an animal provided a clue or was a part of committing the crime. In one case, an animal was simply the excuse for buying the poison. Most of the cases were simply a walk-through of the events with the solution at the end, but a few were clue-based puzzle-mysteries. In general, I enjoyed the stories, and I hadn't read any of them before. I will note, though, that I didn't like the India viper story. The vipers in that story didn't act like what little I know about vipers and snakes. First, snakes can climb (even slick metal). Also, it's not like they could eat a human, so why would they come out of hiding to attack a human? Anyway. There were only a few uses of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, the stories were interesting and enjoyable.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
November 15, 2023
Lions ,tigers and bears oh dear
Guilty Creatures is a collection of short stories from the golden age of British mysteries. It a wonderful collects of stories with animals being the heroes or villains take your pick. Not a big fan of short stories I didn't think I would enjoy the book as much as I did. Great writers with great stones to tel!. Some You'll hate ,some will scare you and some You will just love. One of the best things about short stories is the small time comment to read they can be pick up and put down at anything. This would be a good travel book , a little time here a little time there. A bonus in one of the stories you get to meet a bird named Jack ,which You can't help falling in love with. But remember wild birds need to be free and in the wild. Enjoy these little treasures at home or on the road.
Guilty Creatures is a collection of short stories from the golden age of British mysteries. It a wonderful collects of stories with animals being the heroes or villains take your pick. Not a big fan of short stories I didn't think I would enjoy the book as much as I did. Great writers with great stones to tel!. Some You'll hate ,some will scare you and some You will just love. One of the best things about short stories is the small time comment to read they can be pick up and put down at anything. This would be a good travel book , a little time here a little time there. A bonus in one of the stories you get to meet a bird named Jack ,which You can't help falling in love with. But remember wild birds need to be free and in the wild. Enjoy these little treasures at home or on the road.
August 1, 2022
Martin Edwards is an excellent editor. He has curated many story collections for Poisoned Pen Press. Here he has put together another interesting group of stories.
As is noted in this title’s introduction, animals are an often overlooked element in mystery fiction. Well, no longer with this collection of fourteen stories. Here are Monkeys, Dogs, Parakeets, even Earthworms, and more.
Those who enjoy mystery stories and are looking for a slightly different focus will enjoy this title. Following the interesting and intelligent introduction, dive into this collection in any order. Each story is ably introduced by Mr. Edwards, beginning with the first entry by Arthur Conan Doyle.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
As is noted in this title’s introduction, animals are an often overlooked element in mystery fiction. Well, no longer with this collection of fourteen stories. Here are Monkeys, Dogs, Parakeets, even Earthworms, and more.
Those who enjoy mystery stories and are looking for a slightly different focus will enjoy this title. Following the interesting and intelligent introduction, dive into this collection in any order. Each story is ably introduced by Mr. Edwards, beginning with the first entry by Arthur Conan Doyle.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
March 9, 2022
Published in 2021, 'Guilty Creatures' is an anthology of 14 crime/mystery short stories originally published over the years 1892-1958, and with some notable exceptions rarely in print since. An example of a 'notable exception' is a 'Father Brown' story 'The Oracle of the Dog'. I enjoyed all of them, my personal favourite being 'The Yellow Slugs' by HC Bailey from 1935. There is a common theme to the anthology, as all involve various creatures but this is but a mere pretext for a fine selection of past treasures.
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