The Incredible Crime: A Cambridge Mystery (British Library Crime Classics)
The Incredible Crime: A Cambridge Mystery (British Library Crime Classics) book cover

The Incredible Crime: A Cambridge Mystery (British Library Crime Classics)

Kindle Edition

Price
$9.99
Publisher
Poisoned Pen Press
Publication Date

Description

"Lois Austen-Leigh is the great-great grandniece of Jane Austen and she has something of her famous relative's deft touch at social satire in this mystery published in 1931. In this relatively short novel, the author casts a humorous eye the Golden Age mystery genre. She chooses both the academic mystery and the country house mystery as her subject." (Elaine Cichantk NetGalley )"Austen-Leigh, the great-great niece of Jane Austen who is said to have used Aunt Jane's writing desk to write four mysteries, provides fascinating details of what British high life was like at the time." (Connie Fletcher Booklist )"...the conclusion of the book is excellent in its execution. It is a nice read, and not at all heavy." (Matthew Barnes Carpe Libris ) --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition. LOIS AUSTEN-LEIGH was the author of four mystery novels published in the 1930s, which have been out of print for over 70 years until the publication of this new edition. Austen-Leigh was the great-great niece of Jane Austen. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

Features & Highlights

  • Mystery crime fiction written in the Golden Age of Murder
  • "This British Library Crime Classics reissue features richly evocative settings, an appealing romantic subplot, and sly nods to other fiction, including that of the author's illustrious ancestor." —
  • Publishers Weekly
  • Prince's College, Cambridge, is a peaceful and scholarly community, enlivened by Prudence Pinsent, the Master's daughter. Spirited, beautiful, and thoroughly unconventional, Prudence is a remarkable young woman.
  • One fine morning she sets out for Suffolk to join her cousin Lord Wellende for a few days' hunting. On the way Prudence encounters Captain Studde of the coastguard—who is pursuing a quarry of his own.
  • Studde is on the trail of a drug smuggling ring that connects Wellende Hall with the cloistered world of Cambridge. It falls to Prudence to unravel the identity of the smugglers—who may be forced to kill, to protect their secret.
  • This witty and entertaining crime novel has not been republished since the 1930s. This new edition includes an introduction by Kirsten T. Saxton, professor of English at Mills College, California.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
30%
(87)
★★★★
20%
(58)
★★★
15%
(44)
★★
7%
(20)
28%
(81)

Most Helpful Reviews

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Forgotten Gem

I don’t know why Lois Austen-Leigh became a forgotten Golden Age Mystery writer. Even though she lived well into the 1960’s, I could not fine a single portrait or photograph of her. THE INCREDIBLE CRIME is a masterful work especially for a first book. Anyone who enjoys a well plotted, well written mystery will enjoy this book.
3 people found this helpful
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Incredibly mediocre

This author was related to Jane Austin, which led me take a look at it. Fortunately, she only wrote a couple of mysteries. I usually like English mysteries from the classic era, but this book was written earlier than that. Not particularly engaging, characters not particularly interesting, not particularly well plotted. Not up to the standards set by the later British classic era mystery writers.
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Disappointingly misogynistic

Strong start with an interesting female lead but ends with her literally becoming meekly subject to her undeservingly 'heroic' love interest.