title: Mystery in the Channel (British Library Crime Classics)
author:  Freeman Wills Crofts 
description: Wills Crofts is one of the masters of the golden age of British detective fiction. Not only is this a first-rate puzzler, but Crofts' outrage over the financial firm's betrayal of the public trust should resonate with today's readers. (Connie Fletcher <i>Booklist</i>)<br /><br />Good story, very likeable characters,and a unexpected twist at the end. The pace is perhaps somewhat slower but it doesn't interfere with the pleasure of reading. Just perfect for a rainy weekend. (Karina Dumiati <i>NetGalley</i>)<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed Mystery In The Channel, my first but not last taste of Mr Crofts' work, as it is a good old fashioned puzzle which had me baffled so I have no hesitation in recommending it as a very good read. (Elaine Tomasso <i>Goodreads</i>)<br /><br />A standout in the British Crime Classics series. Nary a woman to be seen onstage, though if you're interested in ships and sailing this book will suit your fancy. A greatly enjoyable police procedural from 1931. (Lauren LaTulip <i>Goodreads</i>)<br /><br />It was an interesting case and I liked the main character, so it was an enjoyable read. (Deborah White <i>Goodreads</i>)<br /><br />I really enjoyed this deviously difficult detective story. It was full of twists and turns, action and danger, and a hell of a lot of mystery. Admittedly, I had my suspicions as to the murderer, but even still I was kept guessing until near the end. It was more full of red herrings than a fisherman's net! (Matthew Barnes <i>Carpe Libris</i>)<br /><br />First published in 1931 Mystery in the Channel by Freeman Wills Crofts is a classic crime fiction novel written during the Golden Age of detective fiction between the two world wars.~~~ I thought the comments on the effect of the company's crash on ordinary people is still as relevant today as it was in the 1930s and the Assistant Police Commissioner's views on crime and punishment showing a surprising sympathy with the criminal are interesting. He deplored the punishment of the out-of-work or poorly paid thief who had stolen to provide for his familys needs. And he had 'the most profound enmity and contempt' for the wealthy thief who stole through the manipulation of stocks and shares or by other financial methods, whether those means were within or without the limits of the law. (Margaret Freeman <i>Books Please</i>)<br /><br />This particular novel is a fine example of meticulous police work before the advent of computers, DNA analysis, and instant communications. The novel, published in 1931, is in period, but definitely not dated. (Elaine Cichantk <i>LibraryThing</i>)
zlib_text: An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd
  1 London Bridge Street
  London SE1 9GF
  www.harpercollins.co.uk
  First published in Great Britain by W. Collins Sons & Co. Ltd 1921
  Published by The Detective Story Club Ltd 1932
  Copyright © Estate of Freeman Wills Crofts 1921
  Introduction © Dolores Gordon-Smith 2016
  Cover design © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 1932, 2016
  A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.
  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and
  incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any
  resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is
  entirely coincidental.
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