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Classic Crime Short Stories
Discover a world of heroes and villains, suspense and intrigue. This riveting and comprehensive collection brings together some of the best crime writing of all time. Ruth Rendell and Frances Hegarty spearhead the modern genre, moving through the popular and rarely recorded Graham Greene, to Edgar Wallace and G.K. Chesterton and his master detective Father Brown. And that's not all. You can find the following on this "Loopy", "The Missing Romney", "Insufficient Evidence", The Compleat Criminal", "The Case for the Defence", "Markheim", "The Blue Cross", "Bluebeard's Bathtub", "Nine Point of the Law", "Arsene Lupin in Prison".
This collection includes stories from Ruth Rendell, Frances Hegarty, E.W. Hornung, Graham Greene, Margery Allingham, Charles Dickens, G.K. Chesterton, Maurice Leblanc, Edgar Wallace, and Robert Louis Stevenson.
This collection includes stories from Ruth Rendell, Frances Hegarty, E.W. Hornung, Graham Greene, Margery Allingham, Charles Dickens, G.K. Chesterton, Maurice Leblanc, Edgar Wallace, and Robert Louis Stevenson.
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First published February 1, 2001
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About the author
Ruth Rendell
456 books1,625 followersA.K.A. Barbara Vine
Ruth Barbara Rendell, Baroness Rendell of Babergh, CBE, who also wrote under the pseudonym Barbara Vine, was an acclaimed English crime writer, known for her many psychological thrillers and murder mysteries and above all for Inspector Wexford.
Ruth Barbara Rendell, Baroness Rendell of Babergh, CBE, who also wrote under the pseudonym Barbara Vine, was an acclaimed English crime writer, known for her many psychological thrillers and murder mysteries and above all for Inspector Wexford.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
November 22, 2025
10 stories of the criminal and macabre.
Loopy, by Ruth Rendell. The story of an amateur actor who finds himself drawn to behaving like a wolf when no-one else is around. His mother, to whom he has an unhealthy attachment, calls him Loopy. She soon joins him in his weird and disturbing behavior, and it all takes a very dark turn when one day the man's fiancé comes home to find the "wolves" at play...4 stars.
The Missing Romney, by Edgar Wallace. The female thief Four Square Jane is famous for her methods and habit of only stealing from the rich and corrupt. A heavily guarded Romney goes missing from an art exhibit and is held for ransom. The plot mainly revolves around the method of the theft— a sort of locked room mystery situation. fun and satisfying. 4 stars.
Insufficient Evidence, by Frances Hegarty. A young girl is hit with a car and badly injured; her mother, convinced of the neighbor's guilt, plots revenge. Every day she stakes out the street and watches the house and its occupants, her hatred fueled by the judge's ruling of "Insufficient Evidence". The story ends with the tables turned; perhaps "insufficient evidence" of guilt will be ruled again? 3 stars.
The Complete Criminal, by Edgar Wallace. An established lawyer who knows the criminal class well enough to become one. After embezzling a clients money, a respected solicitor fakes his death and retires to the countryside under a new name. His plan is flawless and his new life well established when a policeman drops by to request money for a fundraiser. Old habits die hard. 3 stars.
The Case for the Defense, by Graham Greene. The narrative of a strange murder case involving a several trustworthy eyewitnesses, the death of an elderly woman, and a suspect . The trials ends with the suspect acquitted, but as the defendant steps out into the street he's hit by a bus: has justice been served? 3 stars.
Markheim, by Robert Louis Stevenson. More a moral tale than one of crime, but i thought it was very good nonetheless. A desperate man becomes a murderer for want of money, and struggles with his conscience throughout the act of theft. A man comes to him (the Devil? the human incarnation of his tormented conscience?) and much discourse on the nature of man ensues. 5 stars.
The Blue Cross, by G.K. Chesterton. a classic that i just now have read. Father Brown has a run-in with the notorious thief Flambeau, and leads the police to the criminal through a series of perplexing and clever clues. engaging as well as thought-provoking. 5 stars.
Three is a Lucky Number; or, Bluebeard's Bathtub, by Margery Allingham. a 'brides in the bath' situation told from the perspective of the murderer. the third victim, however, may be cleverer than she seems...the overall moral being "don't underestimate a woman". 4 stars.
Nine Points of the Law, by E.W. Hornung. My first Raffles story (I've been meaning to read him for a while). The gentleman thief and his companion Bunny embark on the morally ambiguous venture of stealing a painting that was stolen by another. a bit of a miscommunication ensues and the well-meaning Bunny upsets Raffles' plans—but just a bit. 4 stars.
Arsene Lupin in Prison by Maurice Leblanc. Yet another gentleman thief, though perhaps a more famous one. A fantastic burglary is carried out, apparently by the notorious Lupin even as he sits in prison. a locked room mystery of sorts as well. the lead detective visits the thief in prison and begs an explanation; everything is satisfactorily revealed. 4 stars.
Overall: a very good collection of stories, entertaining and not too mainstream. I don't think there was one i truly disliked out of the lot. 4 stars.
Loopy, by Ruth Rendell. The story of an amateur actor who finds himself drawn to behaving like a wolf when no-one else is around. His mother, to whom he has an unhealthy attachment, calls him Loopy. She soon joins him in his weird and disturbing behavior, and it all takes a very dark turn when one day the man's fiancé comes home to find the "wolves" at play...4 stars.
The Missing Romney, by Edgar Wallace. The female thief Four Square Jane is famous for her methods and habit of only stealing from the rich and corrupt. A heavily guarded Romney goes missing from an art exhibit and is held for ransom. The plot mainly revolves around the method of the theft— a sort of locked room mystery situation. fun and satisfying. 4 stars.
Insufficient Evidence, by Frances Hegarty. A young girl is hit with a car and badly injured; her mother, convinced of the neighbor's guilt, plots revenge. Every day she stakes out the street and watches the house and its occupants, her hatred fueled by the judge's ruling of "Insufficient Evidence". The story ends with the tables turned; perhaps "insufficient evidence" of guilt will be ruled again? 3 stars.
The Complete Criminal, by Edgar Wallace. An established lawyer who knows the criminal class well enough to become one. After embezzling a clients money, a respected solicitor fakes his death and retires to the countryside under a new name. His plan is flawless and his new life well established when a policeman drops by to request money for a fundraiser. Old habits die hard. 3 stars.
The Case for the Defense, by Graham Greene. The narrative of a strange murder case involving a several trustworthy eyewitnesses, the death of an elderly woman, and a suspect . The trials ends with the suspect acquitted, but as the defendant steps out into the street he's hit by a bus: has justice been served? 3 stars.
Markheim, by Robert Louis Stevenson. More a moral tale than one of crime, but i thought it was very good nonetheless. A desperate man becomes a murderer for want of money, and struggles with his conscience throughout the act of theft. A man comes to him (the Devil? the human incarnation of his tormented conscience?) and much discourse on the nature of man ensues. 5 stars.
The Blue Cross, by G.K. Chesterton. a classic that i just now have read. Father Brown has a run-in with the notorious thief Flambeau, and leads the police to the criminal through a series of perplexing and clever clues. engaging as well as thought-provoking. 5 stars.
Three is a Lucky Number; or, Bluebeard's Bathtub, by Margery Allingham. a 'brides in the bath' situation told from the perspective of the murderer. the third victim, however, may be cleverer than she seems...the overall moral being "don't underestimate a woman". 4 stars.
Nine Points of the Law, by E.W. Hornung. My first Raffles story (I've been meaning to read him for a while). The gentleman thief and his companion Bunny embark on the morally ambiguous venture of stealing a painting that was stolen by another. a bit of a miscommunication ensues and the well-meaning Bunny upsets Raffles' plans—but just a bit. 4 stars.
Arsene Lupin in Prison by Maurice Leblanc. Yet another gentleman thief, though perhaps a more famous one. A fantastic burglary is carried out, apparently by the notorious Lupin even as he sits in prison. a locked room mystery of sorts as well. the lead detective visits the thief in prison and begs an explanation; everything is satisfactorily revealed. 4 stars.
Overall: a very good collection of stories, entertaining and not too mainstream. I don't think there was one i truly disliked out of the lot. 4 stars.
September 2, 2020
Audiobook: 05hr 05m
A nice collection with a variety of flavours, like a pre-dinner charcuterie board of mysteries that will help you decide on the main course. I have heard / read the first few stories before (I suspect in a similar anthology of the genre) but they are worth re-reading and I wasn't disappointed.
A nice collection with a variety of flavours, like a pre-dinner charcuterie board of mysteries that will help you decide on the main course. I have heard / read the first few stories before (I suspect in a similar anthology of the genre) but they are worth re-reading and I wasn't disappointed.
June 18, 2019
Another audio collection of classic short stories, with great British narrators. As implied by the "Crime" in the title of this collection, these aren't murder mysteries, though there is murder in some, it often happens in the course or at the end of the stories.
Most of the stories are solid. I didn't love them, but liked listening to them. "Insufficient Evidence" by Frances Hegarty was one of the more memorable stories for me. I found one or two rather tedious. "The Complete Criminal" by Edgar Wallace just didn’t engage me at all. And "Markheim" by Robert Louis Stevenson didn’t hold my interest either; seemed to be him exploring the nature of good and evil, perhaps.
At first, I didn’t think I’d enjoy "The Blue Cross" by G.K. Chesterton, but it ended strongly. When the name Father Brown came up late in the story, I wondered if it was the Father Brown I’ve heard of. It is, and this is actually the first of his stories. I'd read more of the Father Brown stories based on this story. I also liked "Bluebeard's Bathtub" by Margery Allingham, another that ended strongly with a nice twist.
Most of the stories are solid. I didn't love them, but liked listening to them. "Insufficient Evidence" by Frances Hegarty was one of the more memorable stories for me. I found one or two rather tedious. "The Complete Criminal" by Edgar Wallace just didn’t engage me at all. And "Markheim" by Robert Louis Stevenson didn’t hold my interest either; seemed to be him exploring the nature of good and evil, perhaps.
At first, I didn’t think I’d enjoy "The Blue Cross" by G.K. Chesterton, but it ended strongly. When the name Father Brown came up late in the story, I wondered if it was the Father Brown I’ve heard of. It is, and this is actually the first of his stories. I'd read more of the Father Brown stories based on this story. I also liked "Bluebeard's Bathtub" by Margery Allingham, another that ended strongly with a nice twist.
July 8, 2018
What an excellent choice of stories. The RL Stevenson was the only one I didn't like, and that's only because of the flowery way of writing, and it's a little too moralistic for my taste. It's like a very heavy precursor of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray" with a twist.
I really enjoyed the Raffles story by Hornung. He's not included these days much of anywhere. The Arsene Lupin by Leblanc was a truly pleasant surprise. Another 'lost' classic.
I really enjoyed the Raffles story by Hornung. He's not included these days much of anywhere. The Arsene Lupin by Leblanc was a truly pleasant surprise. Another 'lost' classic.
April 7, 2019
As usual with a short story collection, some were better than others, but overall a very enjoyable listen. The only negative for me was that, being an audiobook, I had no idea how many stories there were, or which was the last. Consequently, the ending felt very abrupt.
March 22, 2021
This collection was okay. The Robert Lewis Stephenson story was tedious in the extreme, and I had read a few before many times, so I skipped those. The rest were enjoyable enough. I listened through twice in succession, but I doubt I will listen to it again.
January 26, 2022
"Loopy" by Ruth Rendell
A furry writing from a psychiatric prison. WTF. I feel worse for the fiancee he murdered.
"The Missing Romney" (originally, "The Stolen Romney") by Edgar Wallace
Entertaining, might be better in a mystery collection. Curious to read more about "Four-square Jane"
"Insufficient Evidence" by Frances Hegarty
More like a horror story, planning a murder focused on the wrong person and then killing the responsible person who wronged you, even if it wasn't the one you intended.
"The Compleat Criminal" by Edgar Wallace
Entertaining, not even the perfect criminal can escape without leaving a trace.
"The Case for the Defence" by Graham Greene
Brief, did I miss the point of this one?
Robert Louis Stevenson: "Markheim"
A murder, a mental breakdown, and then a discussion with the devil? Moralistic and dull.
"The Blue Cross" by G.K. Chesterton
This was at least entertaining. So much better to have the priest both fool the thief and get the police along than have the priest be secretly the thief in disguise.
"Bluebeard's Bathtub" by Margery Allingham
Much more interesting to read the foiling of a murder attempt than the rest of the murders in this story.
"Nine Points of the Law" by E.W. Hornung
Entertaining enough, 3 thefts of the same item and everyone comes out looking the worse for it.
"Arsene Lupin in Prison" by Maurice Leblanc
Read this before, still amusing!
A furry writing from a psychiatric prison. WTF. I feel worse for the fiancee he murdered.
"The Missing Romney" (originally, "The Stolen Romney") by Edgar Wallace
Entertaining, might be better in a mystery collection. Curious to read more about "Four-square Jane"
"Insufficient Evidence" by Frances Hegarty
More like a horror story, planning a murder focused on the wrong person and then killing the responsible person who wronged you, even if it wasn't the one you intended.
"The Compleat Criminal" by Edgar Wallace
Entertaining, not even the perfect criminal can escape without leaving a trace.
"The Case for the Defence" by Graham Greene
Brief, did I miss the point of this one?
Robert Louis Stevenson: "Markheim"
A murder, a mental breakdown, and then a discussion with the devil? Moralistic and dull.
"The Blue Cross" by G.K. Chesterton
This was at least entertaining. So much better to have the priest both fool the thief and get the police along than have the priest be secretly the thief in disguise.
"Bluebeard's Bathtub" by Margery Allingham
Much more interesting to read the foiling of a murder attempt than the rest of the murders in this story.
"Nine Points of the Law" by E.W. Hornung
Entertaining enough, 3 thefts of the same item and everyone comes out looking the worse for it.
"Arsene Lupin in Prison" by Maurice Leblanc
Read this before, still amusing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2018
A good listen. Several short stories from masters of the past combine to for, this compendium. Some of these are short stories that revolve around a character created by the varied authors that had a number of adventures at the time. You will do well if you already are familiar with the characters, prior to reading or listening to this book. The final story is from a French Author and the names were so foreign that I had trouble listening and following along. I did however find a version of the short story in public domain and re-read. This made it much more understandable.
June 27, 2018
A series of short stories written in an older English style that was very enchanting and entertaining. Some stories were medium (just a nice little adventure) and some stories were great, but all good!
November 6, 2025
Hmm 3.5 stars? I loved the first story, so was very excited for the rest, but it remained my top one throughout. A few other good stories, and a handful of meh ones. But I’m not a huge lover of short stories, so this was pretty good as a picky critic.
January 16, 2018
A few of the stories I listened to were interesting. Some were tedious.
November 26, 2019
3.5 nostalgic stars. Entertaining stories in the vein of classic mysteries; the locked room, the revenge with a twist, the lady killer, and a few surprises.
December 13, 2019
old short crime stories. it was ok.
October 4, 2022
Some good stories, some a bit odd.
October 7, 2022
One great story, a couple of good stories, and the rest, not so much. So it goes, with collections.
June 20, 2023
Fun introduction to several mystery writers.
July 12, 2025
Oldies but goodies. British crime stories best.
January 16, 2020
Loopy by Ruth Rendell was out of control
March 10, 2015
Ruth Rendell: "Loopy" ****
Edgar Wallace: "The Missing Romney" ***
Frances Hegarty: "Insufficient Evidence" ***
Edgar Wallace: "The Compleat Criminal" ***
Graham Greene: "The Case for the Defence" ****
Robert Louis Stevenson: "Markheim" ***
G.K. Chesterton: "The Blue Cross" ****
Margery Allingham: "Bluebeard's Bathtub" ****
E.W. Hornung: "Nine Point of the Law" ***
Maurice Leblanc: "Arsene Lupin in Prison" ***
Edgar Wallace: "The Missing Romney" ***
Frances Hegarty: "Insufficient Evidence" ***
Edgar Wallace: "The Compleat Criminal" ***
Graham Greene: "The Case for the Defence" ****
Robert Louis Stevenson: "Markheim" ***
G.K. Chesterton: "The Blue Cross" ****
Margery Allingham: "Bluebeard's Bathtub" ****
E.W. Hornung: "Nine Point of the Law" ***
Maurice Leblanc: "Arsene Lupin in Prison" ***
November 28, 2016
Like every good appetizer sampler at a fine restaurant, each little nugget of crime fiction has a flavor that is distinct as it is of high quality. From the horror of "Loopy", to the emotion of "Markhiem", to the side splitting antics of "Arsene Lupin in Prison" and "The Blue Cross", each is a primer in nearly all of the major sub genres of the writing that digs a deep well into humanities worse humors.
January 6, 2015
Uneven collection of short stories. I really enjoyed Ruth Rendell's "Loopy," Frances Hegarty's "Insufficient Evidence," and Margery Allingham's "Bluebeard's Bathtub." I found some of the older crime stories less compelling, but interesting as insight into how the crime genre has developed over time.
October 16, 2011
This was fine as the short stories allowed for a fast commute--about a story a trip. Gave me exposure to some other authors without investing in a full-length book. Of course, some stories I enjoyed more than others (least favorite was "Loopy").
July 24, 2011
ok. English Crime stories.
September 26, 2011
Some good, some bad.
October 2, 2011
A couple of good shorts, quick so worth in all.
May 10, 2012
An enjoyable read of classic crime stories. Scotland yard type, set mainly in old england.
December 11, 2012
An enjoyable collection of crime stories, not one true mystery among them.
September 3, 2013
Good in parts.
August 28, 2014
A refreshing diversion - actually several!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews