Grumpy Old Bookman: Thrilling returns
A new publishing trend brings forgotten greats to new readers, Michael Allen observes
In recent months I have noticed an interesting development in the world of crime, thrillers, and mysteries. This takes the form of the current republishing of books which were successful in their way some decades ago; and then, after a few years, they went out of print. Until recently these books were only available, if at all, in the shape of discarded library copies, or as hard-to-read secondhand paperbacks. But now they are being reprinted.
These books are not classics in the usual sense: I doubt that anyone is using them as teaching material for an Eng Lit degree. But they are good solid examples of intelligent, thoughtful, and well-researched popular fiction.