British Library Crime Classics

The first BLCC book that I came across was 'Mystery in White' by J. Jefferson Farjeon which was their 5th book reprinted and timed for Christmas 2014. It had a very appealing cover and was an instant best seller, introducing many people to these reprints.

They've just reprinted it again this year in a hardback copy with lovely cover although I think I like  the paperback cover better.

In the 11 years since the beginning there have now been 144 Crime Classics, from authors who originally wrote in the early 1900's right up to the 1960s and most are books that had completely disappeared and had never been reprinted. Number 145 is published this month and is by an author they've already published many times  before -  E.C.R Lorac. She also wrote as Carol Carnac and her books are always good, they've got another one coming out in February.

The book they published specially for the Christmas market this year is this one. Luckily the library bought a copy and I read it last month.

It was a really good read, a very clever story with lots of suspects, originally published in 1952. (Details Here)  One of the things I like about the Crime Classics  is the bit at the beginning, an introduction to the author by Martin Edwards. (Martin Edwards is a crime author in his own right and also edits and compiles the several collections of short stories in the BLCC collection). Susan Gilruth was the pen name of Susannah Margaret Hornsby-Wright and she only ever wrote 7 crime books between 1951 and 1973 which were mainly aimed at the library market so old copies became very hard to find and were never reprinted although some of her books were turned into BBC radio serials.

The story of the covers they use for the reprints is also interesting. Occasionally they are able to use original covers but many of their earlier books used some of the old tourist illustrations used in railway carriages in the 1930s and 40s. The cover of Death in Ambush above is an illustration by Gwen White so I googled her and found she was an author and illustrator who died in 1986.This is one of her books and she also illustrated many Enid Blyton stories.

Finding out more about the authors and illustrators can be nearly as interesting as reading the book.

Yesterday's  coffee  for  advent was 'French Vanilla' -it was nice but I couldn't find any vanilla flavour!

Wartime Christmas

I'm  hoping to do some Christmassy posts this month...........So here is   a Wartime Christmas from Chesterfield Borough Council.

This is the  link ..................... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYE5eBul2i8 in case the above doesn't work.

In my collection of books about the Home Front in WWII I have some about Christmas at that time.

It's  interesting to read how people coped when so many men and women were in the forces and away from home. Food was basic - no extras - everyone was glad to eat whatever was available. Many factories and businesses had been turned to war production and taxes were high to fund it all.

Typical wartime gifts in a child's Christmas stocking.

There wasn't much money to spare for Christmas in wartime and people were pleased with even one gift, often home made or recycled. How things have changed in the 80 years since. Maybe we all expect too much now.

What's Happening in December?

I usually schedule posts for 6am but this one is delayed due to waiting to open the first day of my coffee advent calendar so I could include a photo here - great excitement!

And the Christmas mug is out of the cupboard for the duration. The coffee for the 1st was Italian which is what I get from Aldi anyway. There is way more than enough to fill the press thing on my machine - probably enough for 3 mugs - I shall have to use the cafetière. I had frothy milk and chocolate sprinkles to celebrate the beginning of winter!

There are a dozen different flavours to try so I'm expecting two of each.

What's else is happening in December? ...........well, I'm going to be paying too many bills! Everything, everywhere all at once! 

There will be bills for dentist, hygienist, car repairs, boiler service and repairs, car insurance and there are still Christmas presents to finish sorting out. The grown up children are getting a small gift and money as I struggle with ideas, grandchildren are having toys, games or craft things of course, although even the 9 year old  grandson is liking money towards an x box - whatever that is! (I know it's a rather expensive game thing!). I didn't make chutneys etc for Christmas hampers for sister and sister in law this year, but have found some small things to put together for presents, including some items from charity shops but haven't a clue for BiL - neither has he.

There are Christmas cards and notes to write - not my favourite job - although I love receiving them so I keep sending. Stamps are ready, I think they are lovely and colourful this year.

What else is coming up? Well, friends from Essex are popping up for the afternoon next week.

And it will probably rain on the 13th! - that's the date of the one off Christmas car-boot sale, which will only happen in good weather.

Then  the ED and family are here from Surrey for Christmas. They are renting a cottage with room for all of us to go there for the day. It would be far too complicated for everyone to go to Surrey and my bungalow isn't big enough and she really wanted to host a big family Christmas. I'm on dessert duty (but not Christmas pud) and will take the umpteen  Christmas Crackers found at boot-sales.

Boxing Day will probably be me and BiL at my bungalow. He usually goes to his sister's home for Christmas Day. I asked him what he'd like to eat for Boxing Day - he said "food" - no help at all.🙄 Although I will make a small Wartime Christmas Pudding - that was a success last year.

If December goes at the same speed as the rest of the year it will soon be 2026!