An eclectic collection of London-based crime stories from the Golden Age of Mystery, featuring work by Arthur Conan Doyle, Edgar Wallace and others.Capital Crimes presents seventeen tales of murder and mayhem that blend the familiar with the unexpected in a way that reflects the personality of London. Alongside classics by Margery Allingham, Anthony Berkeley and Thomas Burke are excellent and unusual stories by authors who are far less well known. The stories give a flavor of how writers have tackled crime in London over the span of more than half a century. Their contributions range from grizzly vignettes, cerebral whodunits, and an early serial-killer thriller set on the London Underground. What they have in common is an atmospheric London setting, and enduring value as entertainment. Each story is introduced by the editor, Martin Edwards, who sheds light on the authors' lives and the background to their writing.

Mystery crime fiction written in the Golden Age of Murder"Despite its title, this British Library Crime Classics reissue of a 1936 novel isn't just an entertaining Christmas read. It's a fine example of the old-time country-house murder mystery, with loads of suspects, lots of period atmosphere, and much caustic wit." —BooklistAunt Mildred declared that no good could come of the Melbury family Christmas gatherings at their country residence Flaxmere. So when Sir Osmond Melbury, the family patriarch, is discovered—by a guest dressed as Santa Klaus—with a bullet in his head on Christmas Day, the festivities are plunged into chaos. Nearly every member of the party stands to reap some sort of benefit from Sir Osmond's death, but Santa Klaus, the one person who seems to have every opportunity to fire the shot, has no apparent motive. Various members of the family have their private suspicions about the identity of the murderer, and the Chief Constable of Haulmshire, who begins his investigations by saying that he knows the family too well and that is his difficulty, wishes before long that he understood them better. In the midst of mistrust, suspicion and hatred, it emerges that there was not one Santa Klaus, but two.

1922. Amateur sleuth Mabel Canning is surrounded by the bright lights of London as she chaperones a young American woman to a dance. But when someone is murdered, a deadly tango begins…Meet plucky woman-about-town Mabel Canning, leader of the London Ladies’ Murder Club and trusted assistant to gentlewomen. When she is tasked with accompanying Roxy, a fun-loving heiress, on a glamorous night out, Mabel can’t wait to sip champagne and practice the foxtrot. But just as Roxy sashays out of sight, a mysterious man warns Mabel that the feisty young redhead is in danger. And someone is dead before the music stops...Roxy was the last person to see the victim alive, and she stumbles into Mabel’s arms with her daffodil-yellow dress splashed with blood. Determined to protect her ward, Mabel gathers her dashing beau Winstone and her pals from the murder club. Together they trace the weapon back to the ballroom, but when its twin goes missing, it is clear time is running out to prevent another murder on the dance floor…The police conclude the killer is in Roxy’s family, but Mabel finds herself spinning between a motley troupe of suspects. Mr Bryars, the anxious ballroom manager, is constantly tripping over himself to hide his secrets. But would he kill to protect his reputation? And young Ned Kettle may have looked dashing while waltzing around with Roxy, but he was once a notorious thief. Is the sticky-fingered rogue also a dab hand at murder?Just as Mabel and her murder club friends quickstep closer to the truth, Roxy is kidnapped, and Mabel comes cheek to cheek with the killer. Can she save poor Roxy and herself? Or has she danced her last dance?A delightfully witty and utterly addictive whodunnit absolutely bursting with 1920s sparkle, from USA Today bestselling author Marty Wingate. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Richard Osman, Verity Bright and T.E. Kinsey.What readers are saying about The Body at the Dance Hall:‘A favourite of mine… The best… I read this book in one sitting… Sucked me in from page one!’ NetGalley reviewer ?????'I wept with joy… Starts with a bang… Such a cracking story.' Goodreads reviewer'Wonderful… My favourite… Excellent and twisty.' A Wordy Woman ?????What readers are saying about The London Ladies’ Murder Club series:‘Loved everything about this… Outstanding. The characters were all amazing… I was shocked by who the villain was… My favourite cozy mystery series!’ Goodreads reviewer ?????‘YES. I completely inhaled this in one day… So gripping… Charming… Definitely kept me guessing.’ Goodreads reviewer, audio edition‘I spat my tea out across the room… Excellent… no notes whatsoever… I couldn’t find a single thing to nit-pick about!’ Goodreads reviewer ?????‘Just loved this! Couldn't get enough. I just had to know how this would end. I couldn't stop reading. The culprit was totally unexpected. I was so surprised. Wonderful mystery.’ NetGalley reviewer, audio edition‘I absolutely loved this… I read it one day!’ NetGalley reviewer ?????‘Absolutely wonderful and fun… Perfect. A must read!’Goodreads reviewer ?????‘I have read many, many books and there are very, very few that I’ve been unable to put down. [This] is the exception. Reader, I was hooked… sheer joy and worthy of P.G. Wodehouse.’ NetGalley reviewer ?????