Archive for
Spenser for Hire – Robert B Parker (1932 – 2010)
When I became a bookseller in the second half of the 1980s one of the biggest names of American crime fiction was Robert B Parker. Following the success of his fourth Spenser novel Promised
CREOLE BELLE by James Lee Burke
A new book by James coming soon, reserve your copy now! read more...
The Dizzy Talent of LIONEL DAVIDSON (1922-2009)
I have long been impressed with the crime and adventure thrillers of Lionel Davidson. When we came to publish Original Sins, the Crime Writers’ Association anthology edited Martin Edwards, he asked if I would
Michael Dibdin Remembered
Michael Dibdin was a little underrated by the crime fiction fraternity because he was a bit of an outsider living much of the time abroad. As a person I liked him for his charm,
Richard Ford – Literary Lion of mellow Crime Novels?
Richard Ford (born 1944 in Jackson, Mississippi) is no stranger to British readers, he has visited and done readings since he became known with The Sportswriter (1986) and the sequel, Independence Day (1995). The
Scorpion Press Blog Posts
- What is Tom Wolfe’s America
From the early 20th century, for example the USA Trilogy of John Dos Passos, writers have given us contemporary portraits of America. One of the best, and most varied chronicles of the second half of …
- FUTURISTIC FIRST SF NOVEL TO BE NETFLIX SERIES
Following the success of hugely popular series like The Crown, streaming channel Netflix is looking to develop original novels as drama series. The latest is based on Richard Morgan’s Altered Carbon.
Although obviously marketed as science … - SUE GRAFTON – ONE OF THE GREATS
One of the great mystery writers of recent times, Sue Grafton has passed away aged 77. Grafton came to prominence in the 80s when she began her alphabetical series of Kinsey Millone private eye novels.
The … - Ann Cleeves Diamond Dagger Winner 2017
Ann Cleeves, author of four detective series and a professional writer for three decades has been awarded the Crime Writers’ of the UK Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement. Those that read British crime fiction will …
- Val McDermid’s The Wire in the Blood 20th anniversary
It is twenty years on from the publication of the Scorpion Press collector’s edition of Val McDemid’s The Wire in The Blood. The collectors edition appeared on 23 October 1997 and all 99 copies quickly sold …
- Colin Dexter | Tribute from the Scorpion Press
Colin Dexter, creator of Inspector Morse, died at his home in Oxford on 20 March, 2017, aged 86. Although he started writing rather late – he was in his mid forties – and as a …
- Electing the President | Ted Allbeury’s The Twentieth Day of January
A former MI6 analyst finds that the American President Elect has advisors with Moscow links. The President Elect says he wants to be friends with the Kremlin, and his electoral campaign was given a boost …
- Super Evelyn Waugh sells for £50k
A rare first edition of Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited has sold at Sotherby’s auction for the staggering sum of £52,500.
The popular novel, published in 1945, was one of 50 pre-publication copies issued by the author … - Mr Burke’s “Rising Sun” landmark for Scorpion
Delighted that the latest James Lee Burke, HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN by the small UK publisher Scorpion Press will have an insightful tribute by his daughter and noted thriller writer Alafair. The edition is …
- Name of the Rose
The Name of the Rose (1983) was not just a novel but a way of thinking about the world. At the passing of its author Umberto Eco it is appropriate to reflect on the book …
- Charles Cumming – A Colder War
In A Colder War Britain’s secret intelligence operations in the Middle East are severely curtailed; botched schemes and the deaths of double agents suggests to the spymasters that a mole is a work. When SIS’s …
- Wallander’s creator Mankell passes
Henning Mankell, creator of Kurt Wallander, passed away after a year long fight with cancer. His novels were favourites with modern crime fans across the world for ironically displaying an angst about the state of …