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Gideon #1
Gideon's Day
Available for the first time, The Gideon of Scotland Yard Series by 'JJ Marric' (pseudonym of Grand Master John Creasey). Gideon's day is a busy one. London is faced with the murder of a little girl and a policeman's murder. While trying to bring these killers to justice, Gideon has to deal with a criminal gang that is after one of it's own. One of the most senior officers within Scotland Yard, George Gideon's crime-solving abilities are in the finest traditions of London's world-famous police headquarters. His analytical brain and sense of fairness is respected by colleagues and villains alike.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1955
67 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Marric
44 books19 followersA pseudonym used by John Creasey.
The Gideon series was continued after Creasey's death by William Vivian Butler.
The Gideon series was continued after Creasey's death by William Vivian Butler.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 26, 2012
This is the first in a series written under a pseudonym by extremely prolific crime writer John Creasey, and purports to be a more "realistic" sort of mystery, chronicling a day in the life at Scotland Yard. Superintendent George Gideon is our protagonist and we follow him as he deals with the various crimes that make their way across Scotland Yard's desk, particularly an ongoing operation against a series of mail van robberies. In this way it's kind of like a book version of Barney Miller (although the book came first).
Overall I liked this book. There were a few stereotyping issues, given that the book was published in 1955: there's a sinister Chinese drug lord, probably a cliché even back then, and Gideon's thoughts about his wife, Kate, where he muses about how she's still pretty even though she's putting on weight in the usual middle-aged places. And some of the drug busting scenes had a "REEFER MADNESS" kind of feel that provided unintentional comedy.
But what really impressed me about this book was how it did not appear to have contracted First in Series Syndrome. Even though this is the first of a great many Gideon novels, it feels like an entry in a long-standing series; the characters are introduced with a minimum of fuss and just enough backstory to orient ourselves without drowning in unnecessary detail. A good start to the series, which I will be continuing to read.
Overall I liked this book. There were a few stereotyping issues, given that the book was published in 1955: there's a sinister Chinese drug lord, probably a cliché even back then, and Gideon's thoughts about his wife, Kate, where he muses about how she's still pretty even though she's putting on weight in the usual middle-aged places. And some of the drug busting scenes had a "REEFER MADNESS" kind of feel that provided unintentional comedy.
But what really impressed me about this book was how it did not appear to have contracted First in Series Syndrome. Even though this is the first of a great many Gideon novels, it feels like an entry in a long-standing series; the characters are introduced with a minimum of fuss and just enough backstory to orient ourselves without drowning in unnecessary detail. A good start to the series, which I will be continuing to read.
November 27, 2025
Well, I had to stay up half the night to finish this. That’s how good it was.
I have been trying to find early Police procedurals, procedurals that pre-date the mediocre (as procedurals, at least) procedurals of Ed McBain. The few American examples, like Hillary Waugh, are what they claim to be, but are also rather dry and uninspiring. One has to go to Europe in Japan, for some reason which I cannot fathom.
At any rate, John Creasey was one of those remarkable writers of mid century crime fiction. The founder of the UK CWA, he seems to have written 600 novels, starting in the early 30s. By the time he came to Gideon, he was a mature writer. And so this, the first of the series, is a mature work. It really is a procedural, but the urban darkness and the suspense are over, laid on it – rather than being the primary focus, as is nowadays often the case, with procedurals merely interwoven in it.
Like all such books it is not really a quick read. One has to go sentenced by sentence, paragraph by paragraph. And the patient reader will be rewarded with a brilliant mystery, rich characters, and what was for the time a true and original approach (the procedural) to crime fiction.
5 enthusiastic stars.
I have been trying to find early Police procedurals, procedurals that pre-date the mediocre (as procedurals, at least) procedurals of Ed McBain. The few American examples, like Hillary Waugh, are what they claim to be, but are also rather dry and uninspiring. One has to go to Europe in Japan, for some reason which I cannot fathom.
At any rate, John Creasey was one of those remarkable writers of mid century crime fiction. The founder of the UK CWA, he seems to have written 600 novels, starting in the early 30s. By the time he came to Gideon, he was a mature writer. And so this, the first of the series, is a mature work. It really is a procedural, but the urban darkness and the suspense are over, laid on it – rather than being the primary focus, as is nowadays often the case, with procedurals merely interwoven in it.
Like all such books it is not really a quick read. One has to go sentenced by sentence, paragraph by paragraph. And the patient reader will be rewarded with a brilliant mystery, rich characters, and what was for the time a true and original approach (the procedural) to crime fiction.
5 enthusiastic stars.
September 19, 2014
This series has its issues with gender and sexuality asides, as it is of its time, but as a read it's still pretty interesting stuff, and given it goes with values that were common when it was written and that aren't overly emphasised for the most part, I can endure that for a decent crime story.
November 11, 2017
Another of that generation of super-prolific writers, John Creasy wrote 600 - six hundred - novels, under many names, featuring many heroes. Gideon’s Day is a good starting place, but it’s only my first. It’s very good.
September 24, 2021
This book is more of a police procedural than a mystery. It is a mix of crimes being investigated where the police don't know who the perpetrator was though the reader does, crimes where the police know who they want and the focus is on finding them, and crimes where the police are on the scene as it is being committed. The focus of the book (and the series) is on George Gideon, the Senior Superintendent at Scotland Yard, and this is basically one day, from the beginning when he confronts an Inspector over allegations of bribery to the end where he arrives home after dealing with an in-progress robbery of a depository for valuables. Along the way we also deal with the molestation and murder of two young children, a petty theft with violence of a small shop, a series of mail van robberies, the hit and run death of the aforementioned inspector and the search by both the police and some criminals for an informant. We are also introduced to Kate Gideon, George's wife, Inspector Lem Lemaitre, George's right-hand man, and Fifi, Lemaitre's wife. As well there is the Assistant Commissioner (referred to as the AC) and other policemen who may appear in subsequent books in the series.
One word of caution. This book was originally published in 1955. As such it betrays the attitudes of that time. One should take this into account when reading it. One cannot fault a writer for being a product of his times and it is ridiculous to criticize a book because it fails to meet modern sensibilities.
All in all this is a decent introduction to the series. You should be aware though that the book can be found attributed to two different authors. When first published the name given as the writer was J.J. Marric. That was a pen name for John Creasey (a very prolific writer) and some later editions have that name on the cover.
One word of caution. This book was originally published in 1955. As such it betrays the attitudes of that time. One should take this into account when reading it. One cannot fault a writer for being a product of his times and it is ridiculous to criticize a book because it fails to meet modern sensibilities.
All in all this is a decent introduction to the series. You should be aware though that the book can be found attributed to two different authors. When first published the name given as the writer was J.J. Marric. That was a pen name for John Creasey (a very prolific writer) and some later editions have that name on the cover.
July 24, 2018
George Gideon of Scotland Yard has a *very* busy day, packed with crime. Some crimes tie together; some are resolved; some aren't.
This was probably my least favorite selection from the CWA Top 100 Crime Novels list; perhaps not coincidentally, the author founded the CWA. The main character, supposedly so insightful, never shows it, either in being able to solve crimes (he mostly just follows up on the obvious leads, and his intuitions go amuck) or in dealing with the people around him (he's not just racist and sexist, but doesn't understand enough about his coworkers to know when they're massively on the take).
However, from a mystery writing perspective, I think the book is worth reading - the format of "day in the life of" works surprisingly well. As far as police procedurals go, though, meh.
Watch the edition you pick up; I got the House of Stratus reprint edition, which has typos galore. Clearly a badly-formatted OCR conversion, where ! becomes l, etc.
This was probably my least favorite selection from the CWA Top 100 Crime Novels list; perhaps not coincidentally, the author founded the CWA. The main character, supposedly so insightful, never shows it, either in being able to solve crimes (he mostly just follows up on the obvious leads, and his intuitions go amuck) or in dealing with the people around him (he's not just racist and sexist, but doesn't understand enough about his coworkers to know when they're massively on the take).
However, from a mystery writing perspective, I think the book is worth reading - the format of "day in the life of" works surprisingly well. As far as police procedurals go, though, meh.
Watch the edition you pick up; I got the House of Stratus reprint edition, which has typos galore. Clearly a badly-formatted OCR conversion, where ! becomes l, etc.
December 3, 2014
Quite an interesting story of 24 hours in the job of a Scotland Yard detective: long-term and short-term investigations and successes, failures, psychological studies, negotiations, assessments and reassessments, surprises, missteps... It's really intriguing. Several years ago, I read "Gideon's Fire," which I liked it a tiny bit better, but that may have been because it was my first encounter with the series and I was pleasantly surprised. I will definitely read more Gideon novels (of which there are an abundance!). Also, I just bought the John Ford movie version of this book--he seems a good choice to direct this kind of material.
December 25, 2024
My disorganized stroll through the Mystery Writers of America's Grand Master Awards has brought me to 1969 winner John Creasey and the first of over twenty novels featuring Superintendent George Gideon. In addition to Creasey being so honored, this novel specifically was named the 87th best crime novel of all time by the Crime Writers Association, so I will be sure to take it very seriously, even though one of the main plot threads is about a sinister Chinese drug lord peddling the devil weed, and it includes the line “His own daughter got to like reefers, and he buried her at nineteen.”
The idea of the novel is in the title—we follow Gideon around for a day. The novel states its thesis as follows: “There was a never-ending war between the police and the criminals … the big cases were not the important ones ... man who had never committed a crime in his life might suddenly commit murder and his trial become a cause celebre, but the chief impact of the big case upon the Yard would be to keep some of the men away from their daily struggle against the run-of-the-mill vice and crime.” Whether it fully commits to it is another matter; it admits at one point that murders are not a daily occurrence in the district, and yet there are an awful lot of them here, including the aforementioned Chinese drug lord sending out a hit squad to murder a squealer. Granted that I can't speak to life in 1955 London, this feels much pulpier than it's probably meant to be. And although there are loose ends, as there should be, it's certainly lucky that so many major, long-running investigations converge by the end of this single day.
Still, whether it really commits to the bit, the novel certainly has its virtues. The number of subplots and short chapter lengths make it feel explosive; while a traditional murder mystery can sag towards the middle, here, something is always happening, and moments of suspense and violence are vividly wrought.
It feels like it stumbles in centering Gideon, though. Compared to a modern cop show, or my vague memories of Ed McBain novels, it feels like the police who are actually doing police-work are mostly faceless voices on a telephone, while Gideon does very little to justify his pride of place. He takes phone calls and gives the orders, but is a weirdly passive force for being the title character. An elderly shopkeeper is murdered. Gideon never investigates the crime; he's not the one who finds the clue that will identify the criminal; when that clue is found, it's the fingerprint man, not Gideon, who will use it; and Gideon won't be in on the arrest. I suppose at some point he tells someone over the phone to apprehend the suspect, and thereby involves himself in some minor way, but the reality is that the novel's thesis (big cases aren't the important ones, it's the constant, routine police-work that's important) clashes badly with the fact that Creasey seems to find that routine police-work dull, or at least not worth giving pages over to.
The idea of the novel is in the title—we follow Gideon around for a day. The novel states its thesis as follows: “There was a never-ending war between the police and the criminals … the big cases were not the important ones ... man who had never committed a crime in his life might suddenly commit murder and his trial become a cause celebre, but the chief impact of the big case upon the Yard would be to keep some of the men away from their daily struggle against the run-of-the-mill vice and crime.” Whether it fully commits to it is another matter; it admits at one point that murders are not a daily occurrence in the district, and yet there are an awful lot of them here, including the aforementioned Chinese drug lord sending out a hit squad to murder a squealer. Granted that I can't speak to life in 1955 London, this feels much pulpier than it's probably meant to be. And although there are loose ends, as there should be, it's certainly lucky that so many major, long-running investigations converge by the end of this single day.
Still, whether it really commits to the bit, the novel certainly has its virtues. The number of subplots and short chapter lengths make it feel explosive; while a traditional murder mystery can sag towards the middle, here, something is always happening, and moments of suspense and violence are vividly wrought.
It feels like it stumbles in centering Gideon, though. Compared to a modern cop show, or my vague memories of Ed McBain novels, it feels like the police who are actually doing police-work are mostly faceless voices on a telephone, while Gideon does very little to justify his pride of place. He takes phone calls and gives the orders, but is a weirdly passive force for being the title character. An elderly shopkeeper is murdered. Gideon never investigates the crime; he's not the one who finds the clue that will identify the criminal; when that clue is found, it's the fingerprint man, not Gideon, who will use it; and Gideon won't be in on the arrest. I suppose at some point he tells someone over the phone to apprehend the suspect, and thereby involves himself in some minor way, but the reality is that the novel's thesis (big cases aren't the important ones, it's the constant, routine police-work that's important) clashes badly with the fact that Creasey seems to find that routine police-work dull, or at least not worth giving pages over to.
December 9, 2025
I was not sure what exactly to expect of this novel, except the rather obvious crime novel of the 1950s. I have to say that it is rather unique because the whole novel is structured, for the most part, as following one very long day of Superintendent George Gideon. The novel is from the perspective of a higher-ranked lawman, so unlike typical police procedurals that follow the grunt work of beat cops and bulls, the reader gets a different view of the operations.
The best skill the author shows us is how he is able to expand the entire day without it getting boring or tedious, without making everything hurried or irrelevant, and keeping the cases/events rolling in. Beyond that, the author even fills out the home life of Gideon and gives us a number of nicely rounded-out characters. Somehow the pacing manages to keep the reader engaged in the long day and yet does not keep the reader tied to the desks in the C.I.D. offices. How often do readers actually praise the pacing in a novel?
Overall the novel is fully-contained; though there are over twenty Gideon novels to read, one could read this novel and be happily satisfied without having to read further. Definitely for fans of police procedural mysteries as well as for British crime fiction fans.
The best skill the author shows us is how he is able to expand the entire day without it getting boring or tedious, without making everything hurried or irrelevant, and keeping the cases/events rolling in. Beyond that, the author even fills out the home life of Gideon and gives us a number of nicely rounded-out characters. Somehow the pacing manages to keep the reader engaged in the long day and yet does not keep the reader tied to the desks in the C.I.D. offices. How often do readers actually praise the pacing in a novel?
Overall the novel is fully-contained; though there are over twenty Gideon novels to read, one could read this novel and be happily satisfied without having to read further. Definitely for fans of police procedural mysteries as well as for British crime fiction fans.
May 8, 2022
I read a couple of the Gideon series as a teenager in the 70’s. I was surprised how well it holds up nearly 70 years after it was written. It details one day in the life of Commander Gideon of Scotland Yard. Ok, the day is slightly over-filled with drug dealing, a major bank raid, the murder of a child, the murder of an elderly shopkeeper and the murderous intent of an underworld Gand against an informer.
Given the issues the Met has today, it was interesting to read that the first thread begins with the unveiling of a corrupt officer, taking bribes from the mob. Also that the abuse of a child was so prominent, when it was hardly mentioned in those days.
Of course, there are aspects of the book that are unacceptable today. One of the villains is of Chinese origin and is purely described in racist terms. Most criminals are presented as lower class, but Marric (John Creasey) does have a variety of backgrounds there. It is taken as read that the police force is exclusively male. As are the criminals.
Given the issues the Met has today, it was interesting to read that the first thread begins with the unveiling of a corrupt officer, taking bribes from the mob. Also that the abuse of a child was so prominent, when it was hardly mentioned in those days.
Of course, there are aspects of the book that are unacceptable today. One of the villains is of Chinese origin and is purely described in racist terms. Most criminals are presented as lower class, but Marric (John Creasey) does have a variety of backgrounds there. It is taken as read that the police force is exclusively male. As are the criminals.
June 4, 2017
Written in the 1950s and '60s under one of John Creasey's many pseudonyms, the Gideon mystery series makes for good kick-back relaxation. George Gideon is senior Superintendant at Scotland Yard. The books don't focus on one mystery: they were pretty much written to a formula of three major cases per book. In this first one, a work day running well past midnight, Gideon clamps down on a child-killer, puts away a repeat offender in a robbery-with-violence case, and at last closes in on a master criminal.
While the series is relaxing for readers, I don't see how it could have been easy for "Marric" to churn out so many of these. They have a fine sense of detail and organization, and time has been taken to bring many of the characters to life, even by a passing touch.
While the series is relaxing for readers, I don't see how it could have been easy for "Marric" to churn out so many of these. They have a fine sense of detail and organization, and time has been taken to bring many of the characters to life, even by a passing touch.
March 14, 2019
It surprises me that this book was written in 1956, as it has the feel of a contemporary police procedural (New York based police dramas come to mind - NYPD Blue, Law and Order, CSI), and is very ahead of its time. A deceptively simple story, chronicling one working day in the life of Scotland Yard Super George Gideon. A day full of robberies, murders, assaults, sex crimes, bribery, and blackmail. Diverse characters, multiple plot lines that mostly tie up in the end (and those that don’t are mourned), and engaging writing. I was further impressed when I found out that this was the first of a long series, and that the author, John Creasey was the founder of the Crime Writers Association. Excellent work.
February 17, 2026
Great
I've seen both the movie and the TV series but this is the first time I've read the book.
Well written, nicely paced, and gripping, so much is crammed into this single day in the life of Superintendent George Gideon. It is mostly police work but there is also some focus on his home life.
Published in 1955 the book is a bit of a revelation in its subject matter: a corrupt police officer, murder, drugs, armed robbery, a child molester/killer, criminal gangs, burglary, and more.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I've seen both the movie and the TV series but this is the first time I've read the book.
Well written, nicely paced, and gripping, so much is crammed into this single day in the life of Superintendent George Gideon. It is mostly police work but there is also some focus on his home life.
Published in 1955 the book is a bit of a revelation in its subject matter: a corrupt police officer, murder, drugs, armed robbery, a child molester/killer, criminal gangs, burglary, and more.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
July 29, 2019
Published 1955. One day in the exciting life of Scotland Yard‘s Inspector George Gideon. Within 15 hrs, he matches wits with hoodlums, dope pushers and other criminals. Gideon is a most believable and well-drawn character. I would love to read more about Gideon. Read for my #CenturyofMysteryChallenge Recommended for mystery lovers. Full of nostalgia of 50/60 era. Also a popular TV series staring John Gregson.
June 19, 2023
A new author to me & my first encounter with DSI George Gideon.
Written in the mid 1950’s it has a lot to thank the Golden Age for.
Gideon’s Day is just as the title says - a book about a day in the life of a Flying Squad DSI & his team.
We start with him dressing down & suspending a crooked DS & range through jewel heists, drugs gangs & mail van robberies to a paedophille killing 2 little girls…
Written in the mid 1950’s it has a lot to thank the Golden Age for.
Gideon’s Day is just as the title says - a book about a day in the life of a Flying Squad DSI & his team.
We start with him dressing down & suspending a crooked DS & range through jewel heists, drugs gangs & mail van robberies to a paedophille killing 2 little girls…
March 26, 2021
Very enjoyable day in the life of Superintendent George Gideon. A number of crimes seen through his eyes and the eyes of the villains, old lags and victims.
Written in 1955 it’s a different era, different style of police work and values. But I loved it! It’s a very early police procedural and highly readable.
Written in 1955 it’s a different era, different style of police work and values. But I loved it! It’s a very early police procedural and highly readable.
August 18, 2021
Excellent
Good old fashioned policing at its best with the highs and lows, victories and losses. I particularly loved some of the characters both police and criminals especially Birdy who didn’t like drugs because of what happened to his daughter. I will certainly look for more John Creasey novels in the future.
Good old fashioned policing at its best with the highs and lows, victories and losses. I particularly loved some of the characters both police and criminals especially Birdy who didn’t like drugs because of what happened to his daughter. I will certainly look for more John Creasey novels in the future.
January 26, 2026
Hello John Creasey
When I saw this name I remembered it from my younger years. I was born in the UK and read his books while living there until I moved to Canada. When I saw the name on Kindle unlimited I was thrilled to be able to read him again. His work is a really great illustration of police work in the UK, I was an officer myself before I moved.
When I saw this name I remembered it from my younger years. I was born in the UK and read his books while living there until I moved to Canada. When I saw the name on Kindle unlimited I was thrilled to be able to read him again. His work is a really great illustration of police work in the UK, I was an officer myself before I moved.
November 19, 2023
Classic Police novel
The Gideon of Scotland Yard novels picture a long-gone London, but show one of black police cars, police without guns and villains getting arrested....John Creasey always wrote a good story, and the Gideon books were his finest.
The Gideon of Scotland Yard novels picture a long-gone London, but show one of black police cars, police without guns and villains getting arrested....John Creasey always wrote a good story, and the Gideon books were his finest.
November 18, 2025
A Great Police Procedural
I am a huge fan of Gideon novels and this one sets them all up in recounting what wasn't A typical day for Gideon. I highly recommend this novel and I plan to read all of the new Gideon novels that have been translated to Kindle format.
I am a huge fan of Gideon novels and this one sets them all up in recounting what wasn't A typical day for Gideon. I highly recommend this novel and I plan to read all of the new Gideon novels that have been translated to Kindle format.
January 4, 2019
24. A book that takes place in a single day
&
40.Favourite prompt from a past Popsugar reading challenge :
2017 : First book in a series #PopSugarReadingChallenge2019
&
40.Favourite prompt from a past Popsugar reading challenge :
2017 : First book in a series #PopSugarReadingChallenge2019
November 30, 2020
A page turner!
February 19, 2012
Written in the 1950s, Gideon's Day recounts a long shift for Detective Superintendent George Gideon of Scotland Yard. It's barely a thriller -although there is a kind of climax. It really is more a heavily fictionalised 'day in the life of': numerous crimes and criminals, numerous phone calls and car journeys, numerous sandwiches and beverages. I was surprised at how modern some of the crime seems (especially the drugs). I won't be hunting down the other Gideon novels, but this was a fine genre read.
February 12, 2013
Very dated. The reviews of the time were very encouraging. The author won an Edgar, so I will read at least one more in this series to see if I can determine why. Very politically incorrect; see my opening sentence.
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.(less)
Page 65
"Don't ask for credit," said a little printed card in a fly-blown showcase, "and you won't be refused." That hint worked.
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.(less)
Page 65
"Don't ask for credit," said a little printed card in a fly-blown showcase, "and you won't be refused." That hint worked.
July 5, 2010
This was published in 1955. It was a very well done crime fiction, but I couldn't get past all of the heavily racist parts. It doesn't hold up well over time. If it wasn't for that, this would be a 4 star book.
September 6, 2010
The first and least of John Creasey's Gideon mystery novels, but with a promise of better things to come.
July 1, 2014
creasdy's gideon
June 30, 2019
Workmanlike.
Read
May 18, 2024Unable to finish, the book fell apart
Want to read
March 19, 2019Synopsis: a John Creasey pseudonym. Gideon is with Scotland Yard; he balances family commitments with solving seemingly unrelated crimes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews