For the first time, all of the short stories written by John Creasey under the name J.J. Marric have been collected in one volume, Gideon and the Young Toughs and Other Stories. And, there’s really no one more prepared to introduce the collection than Martin Edwards. Edwards’ vast knowledge of English mysteries is an asset to any reader interested in the background of authors or books.
J.J. Marric was the name the prolific author John Creasey used to write about Scotland Yard detective George Gideon. He wrote twenty-one novels about Gideon, and there were five more written by William Vivian Butler. The stories are gathered together here for the first time, although they had all been published by Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine.
Commander George Gideon of the C.I.D. was created in 1955. Creasey’s aim was to present his police officers in a positive, yet credible light. He was compassionate, and family was important to him. He did have a hard streak, though, and he was shrewd, honest and determined to get to the truth.
Gideon’s compassion and belief in family life is obvious in some of the stories as he deals with young delinquents who may have just fallen in with the wrong crowd. He’s tackling crimes and social challenges in these stories, issues such as juvenile delinquency. There are clever solutions to some of the stories, solutions that come about only because Gideon is shrewd when it comes to knowledge about his community and people. They are solid short police procedurals.
All of the stories are similar, and about the same length because they were published in magazines. They stand out as examples of Creasey’s writings about Gideon. Crippen & Landru, the publishers, not only include an introduction by Martin Edwards, but also a reflection by Francis M. Nevins, and an afterword by Creasey’s son, Richard. It’s an excellent addition to the offerings from Crippen & Landru.
Gideon and the Young Toughs and Other Stories by John Creasey writing as J.J. Marric. Crippen & Landru, 2022. ISBN 9781936363681 (paperback), 126p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I bought a copy of the book.
My mom would probably enjoy this since she has all of his books but it doesn’t seem to be available for purchase anymore.
Sandy, I think you have to buy it directly through Crippen & Landru.
Thanks
I got my copy (as a subscriber) last week, and will start it as soon as I finish the two collections I’m reading now. I’ve read all the Gideon novels by Creasey (none of the later ones by Butler) and enjoyed them, and I’m sure I’ll enjoy these. I also got Martin Edwards’s massive new book on mysteries at the library last week. And Mike Nevins is certainly the right person to write about Creasey and his various series.
I’m not a subscriber, Jeff, but I’m not surprised that you are when I was reading about subscriptions the other day. I had pre-ordered this one. You have your work cut out for you if you have Martin Edwards’ book from the library!
Somehow I’ve missed the Gideon novels, but I remember watching the movie directed by John Ford.
I do have some affection toward The Baron and The Toff novels.
Oh, that means you have twenty-one Gideon novels to read if you want, Glen!