Few writers of detective fiction can match both John Dickson Carr and Freeman Wills Crofts at their own game. Included in this superb collection by Tetsuya Ayukawa, recognized as the doyen of the honkaku mystery, are four impossible crime stories and three unbreakable alibi tales. The final story “The Red Locked Room” can lay claim to be one of the finest ever written in the genre.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088B579S4

Until yesterday, I hadn’t been out of the apartment since March 13, but cabin fever and sunshine persuaded me and my lovely wife to take a stroll in Riverside Park (observing all the rules, of course). Here’s a photo. We look like Bonnie and Clyde.

Being confined to barracks has allowed me to make progress on two new projects: a collection of honkaku stories by the Japanese maestro Tetsuya Ayukawa (imminent) and a brand new Halter novel. Watch this space.

And keep safe…

John

https://vimeo.com/399733860

My wife Helen (who escaped from Communist China many moons ago and despises the party) and I are now in the epicentre of the epidemic: New York City has one third of total US deaths to date. We are both well but in self-isolation.

Amazon has decided to abandon all book production and shipment for at least another two weeks, to concentrate on food and medical supplies. Can’t argue with that, but it does mean that I won’t even be able to order proof copies for the stuff I’m currently working on, such as a great collection of honkaku short stories and a brand new Paul Halter novel.

Hopefully the nightmare (and the overblown hysteria that came with it–see above–will soon be over.

John P.

“… one of the most purely enjoyable rides I’ve been on for a long time.”

https://theinvisibleevent.com/2020/02/27/death-out-of-nowhere-by-alexis-gensoul-charles-grenier

“…. wonderfully controlled yet dramatic madness …”

https://mysteriesahoy.com/2020/02/27/death-out-of-nowhere-by-alexis-gensoul-and-charles-grenier-translated-by-john-pugmire/

“A gem. A must-read for impossible crime fans.”

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3204401103

What more can I say, except thanks to Santosh

John P.

The French Golden Age classic featuring four impossible murders, each preceded by a mysterious incantation, will baffle you and entertain you. The sensation of a noose inexorably tightening is inescapable.  A starred review from Publisher’s Weekly.

https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-677840-22-9

“Bucketloads of fun’… ‘A vicarious pleasure.’

A lengthy analysis from a thoughtful blog:

#624: Bob’s Yer Uncle – Locked Room Murders Supplement (2019) ed. Brian Skupin

Thanks, Jim!

John P.

Martin Edwards, the author of the award-winning The Golden Age of Murder and noted author in his own right, writes about the recently published Locked Room Murders Supplement:

http://doyouwriteunderyourownname.blogspot.com/

Thanks, Martin!

John P.

LRI’s contract with the Japanese publisher Kodansha expired on Dec 31, 2019 and the harsh reality is that I was outbid by Pushkin Press for a new contract. The title will continue to be shown on Amazon because there are re-sellers who still have inventory.

Ayatsuji-san, who is a gentleman, expressed his regrets at having to make the decision, but I’m just glad to have had the opportunity to publish such a great book for so long.

John P.

P.S. There are still a few more years on my other Kodansha offering, The 8 Mansion Murders.