books in order

Freeman Wills Crofts Books In Order

Inspector French Books In Publication Order

  1. Inspector French’s Greatest Case (1924)
  2. Inspector French and the Cheyne Mystery (1926)
  3. Inspector French and the Starvel Hollow Tragedy (1927)
  4. Inspector French and the Sea Mystery (1928)
  5. The Box Office Murders (1929)
  6. Inspector French and Sir John Magill’s Last Journey (1930)
  7. Mystery in the Channel (1931)
  8. Sudden Death (1932)
  9. Death on the Way (1932)
  10. The Hog’s Back Mystery (1933)
  11. The 12.30 from Croydon (1934)
  12. Mystery on Southampton Water (1934)
  13. Crime at Guildford (1935)
  14. The Loss of the Jane Vosper (1936)
  15. Man Overboard (1936)
  16. Found Floating (1937)
  17. Antidote to Venom (1938)
  18. The End of Andrew Harrison (1938)
  19. Fatal Venture (1939)
  20. Golden Ashes (1940)
  21. James Tarrant, Adventurer (1941)
  22. A Losing Game (1941)
  23. Fear Comes to Chalfont (1942)
  24. The Affair at Little Wokeham (1943)
  25. Enemy Unseen (1945)
  26. Death of a Train (1946)
  27. Silence for the Murderer (1949)
  28. Dark Journey / French Strikes Oil (1951)
  29. Many a Slip (1955)
  30. Anything to Declare? (1957)

Standalone Novels In Publication Order

  1. The Cask (1920)
  2. The Ponson Case (1921)
  3. The Pit-Prop Syndicate (1922)
  4. The Groote Park Murder (1923)

Short Story Collections In Publication Order

  1. Murderers Make Mistakes (1947)
  2. Mystery of the Sleeping Car Express (1956)

British Library Crime Classics Books In Publication Order

  1. The Notting Hill Mystery (By:Charles Warren Adams) (1862)
  2. The Female Detective (By:Andrew Forrester) (1864)
  3. The Great Impersonation (By:E. Phillips Oppenheim) (1920)
  4. The Poisoned Chocolates Case (By:Anthony Berkeley) (1929)
  5. It Walks by Night (By:John Dickson Carr) (1930)
  6. The Secret of High Eldersham (By:Miles Burton) (1930)
  7. Castle Skull (By:John Dickson Carr) (1931)
  8. Mystery in the Channel (1931)
  9. The Incredible Crime (By:Lois Austen-Leigh) (1931)
  10. Murder of a Lady (By:Anthony Wynne) (1931)
  11. The Lost Gallows (By:John Dickson Carr) (1931)
  12. The Z Murders (By:J. Jefferson Farjeon) (1931)
  13. The Corpse in the Waxworks (By:John Dickson Carr) (1932)
  14. The Division Bell Mystery (By:Ellen Wilkinson) (1932)
  15. The Hog’s Back Mystery (1933)
  16. Portrait of a Murderer (By:Anne Meredith) (1933)
  17. Death in Fancy Dress (By:Anthony Gilbert) (1933)
  18. Family Matters (By:Anthony Rolls) (1933)
  19. Weekend at Thrackley (By:Alan Melville) (1934)
  20. The Murder of My Aunt (By:Richard Hull) (1934)
  21. Quick Curtain (By:Alan Melville) (1934)
  22. Murder Underground (By:Mavis Doriel Hay) (1934)
  23. Scarweather (By:Anthony Rolls) (1934)
  24. Death of an Airman (By:Christopher St. John Sprigg) (1934)
  25. The Spy Paramount (By:E. Phillips Oppenheim) (1934)
  26. The 12.30 from Croydon (1934)
  27. The Chianti Flask (By:Marie Belloc Lowndes) (1934)
  28. The Lake District Murder (By:John Bude) (1935)
  29. Death on the Cherwell (By:Mavis Doriel Hay) (1935)
  30. The Cornish Coast Murder (By:John Bude) (1935)
  31. Death of Anton (By:Alan Melville) (1936)
  32. Death in the Tunnel (By:Miles Burton) (1936)
  33. The Traitor (By:Sydney Horler) (1936)
  34. The Santa Klaus Murder (By:Mavis Doriel Hay) (1936)
  35. The Sussex Downs Murder (By:John Bude) (1936)
  36. Murder in Piccadilly (By:Charles Kingston) (1936)
  37. Mystery in White (By:J. Jefferson Farjeon) (1937)
  38. Bats in the Belfry (By:E.C.R. Lorac) (1937)
  39. The Cheltenham Square Murder (By:John Bude) (1937)
  40. Excellent Intentions (By:Richard Hull) (1938)
  41. Murder in the Museum (By:John Rowland) (1938)
  42. Antidote to Venom (1938)
  43. Thirteen Guests (By:J. Jefferson Farjeon) (1938)
  44. The Port of London Murders (By:Josephine Bell) (1938)
  45. The Arsenal Stadium Mystery (By:Leonard R. Gribble) (1939)
  46. Seven Dead (By:J. Jefferson Farjeon) (1939)
  47. Verdict of Twelve (By:Raymond Postgate) (1940)
  48. A Scream in Soho (By:John G. Brandon) (1940)
  49. Death of a Busybody (By:George Bellairs) (1942)
  50. The Dead Shall be Raised & Murder of a Quack (By:George Bellairs) (1942)
  51. Somebody at the Door (By:Raymond Postgate) (1943)
  52. Murder’s a Swine: A Second World War Mystery (By:Nap Lombard) (1943)
  53. Checkmate to Murder (By:E.C.R. Lorac) (1944)
  54. Fell Murder (By:E.C.R. Lorac) (1944)
  55. Murder by Matchlight (By:E.C.R. Lorac) (1945)
  56. Trouble on the Thames (By:Victor Bridges) (1945)
  57. Fire in the Thatch (By:E.C.R. Lorac) (1946)
  58. Death Makes a Prophet (By:John Bude) (1947)
  59. Smallbone Deceased (By:Michael Gilbert) (1950)
  60. Calamity in Kent (By:John Rowland) (1950)
  61. Death Has Deep Roots (By:Michael Gilbert) (1951)
  62. The Danger Within / Death in Captivity (By:Michael Gilbert) (1952)
  63. Murder in the Mill-Race (By:E.C.R. Lorac) (1952)
  64. Crossed Skis (By:Carol Carnac) (1952)
  65. Death on the Riviera (By:John Bude) (1952)
  66. The Man Who Didn’t Fly (By:Margot Bennett) (1955)
  67. The Colour Of Murder (By:Julian Symons) (1957)
  68. The Christmas Egg (By:Mary Kelly) (1958)
  69. The Progress of a Crime (By:Julian Symons) (1960)
  70. Sergeant Cluff Stands Firm (By:Gil North) (1960)
  71. The Methods of Sergeant Cluff (By:Gil North) (1961)
  72. The Spoilt Kill (By:Mary Kelly) (1961)
  73. The Body in the Dumb River (By:George Bellairs) (1961)
  74. Due to a Death (By:Mary Kelly) (1963)
  75. Surfeit of Suspects (By:George Bellairs) (1964)
  76. The Belting Inheritance (By:Julian Symons) (1965)
  77. The Last Best Friend (By:George Sims) (1967)
  78. The End of the Web (By:George Sims) (1976)
  79. Capital Crimes: London Mysteries (By:Martin Edwards) (2015)
  80. Resorting to Murder (By:Martin Edwards) (2015)
  81. Silent Nights (By:Martin Edwards) (2015)
  82. Murder at the Manor (By:Martin Edwards) (2016)
  83. Serpents in Eden (By:Martin Edwards) (2016)
  84. Crimson Snow (By:Martin Edwards) (2016)
  85. Foreign Bodies (By:Martin Edwards) (2017)
  86. The Long Arm of the Law (By:Martin Edwards) (2017)
  87. Miraculous Mysteries (By:Martin Edwards) (2017)
  88. Continental Crimes (By:Martin Edwards) (2017)
  89. Blood on the Tracks (By:Martin Edwards) (2018)
  90. The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories (By:Martin Edwards) (2018)
  91. Golden Age of Detection Puzzle Book (By:Kate Jackson) (2018)
  92. Deep Waters: Murder on the Waves (By:Martin Edwards) (2019)
  93. The Measure of Malice (By:Martin Edwards) (2019)
  94. The Pocket Detective 2: 100+ More Puzzles, Brainteasers and Conundrums (By:Kate Jackson) (2019)
  95. Settling Scores: Sporting Mysteries (By:Martin Edwards) (2020)
  96. A Surprise for Christmas and Other Seasonal Mysteries (By:Martin Edwards) (2020)
  97. Two-Way Murder (By:E.C.R. Lorac) (2021)
  98. Guilty Creatures: A Menagerie of Mysteries (By:Martin Edwards) (2021)

Inspector French Book Covers

Standalone Novels Book Covers

Short Story Collections Book Covers

British Library Crime Classics Book Covers

Freeman Wills Crofts Books Overview

Inspector French’s Greatest Case

Considered one of Freeman Wills Crofts best works, Inspector French’s Greatest Case is an out of print masterpiece of detective fiction. It was first published in 1924. It was selected by Howard Haycraft to be one of the works included in the ultimate mystery list: The Haycraft Queen Definitive Library of Detective Crime Mystery Fiction, Two Centuries of Cornerstones 1748 1948. Unlike other mystery writers who have made the police appear to be incompetent, Crofts has given us the brilliant Inspector French, a first class investigator, albeit within the ranks of Scotland Yard. Charles Gething, head clerk at London s Duke and Peabody s, diamond merchants, is found murdered in front of the firm s open safe. Inspector French is assigned the case, which he works on methodically, through a series of fascinating clues, in England and abroad. Crofts rewards us with a highly entertaining, thoroughly satisfying, classic British mystery story.

Inspector French and the Cheyne Mystery

When young Cheyne finds things going wrong and a dangerous gang of criminals unpleasantly interested in him, he tries to outwit them on his own. When things get serious and his life attempted, he goes to Scotland Yard. French comes into the case, and carries out one of his usual investigations of untiring thoroughness directed by flashes of inspiration.

Inspector French and the Starvel Hollow Tragedy

AN INSPECTOR FRENCH MYSTERY. The burning down of Simon Averill’s house, Starvel Hollow, appears at first to be an accident. The house has been reduced to ash, killing three people including its owner and incinerating the contents of the safe in which he kept his entire fortune in cash over thirty thousand pounds. But when one of these notes appears in circulation, surely it cannot be an accident? Once again, Inspector French doggedly pursues the trail across Europe before finally unlocking the mystery when all appears to be lost.

Inspector French and the Sea Mystery

1928. From the Anglo Irish writer of nearly forty detective stories, featuring the tireless and fastidious Detective French comes The Sea Mystery. The story: The problem which came to French from the sea took the form of a crate containing the body of a murdered man. There was no evidence to show how it had reached the place where it was found nor whose was the body it contained. As it stood, the problem seemed insoluble, but by imagining what might have happened and by testing his theories with his accustomed thoroughness, French at last arrived at a clue which provided the solution to an ingenious and very terrible crime.

The Box Office Murders

A girl employed in the box office of a London cinema falls into the power of a mysterious trio of crooks. A helpful solicitor sends her to Scotland Yard. There she tells Inspector French the story of the Purple Sickle. Her body is found floating in Southampton Water the next day. French discovers that similar murders have taken place. After gathering evidence he learns the trio’s secret and runs them to ground.

The Loss of the Jane Vosper

AN INSPECTOR FRENCH MYSTERY. The Jane Vosper is plunged to the bottom of the Atlantic by a series of explosions in her hold. It is clear that something is wrong, as there is no innocent explanation of the cause. The only possibility appears to be that someone has sunk the ship for the insurance money either for the goods on board or the ship itself. The loss of the goods will cause a problem for The Land and Sea Insurance Co., and they decide to look into matters themselves. When their private detective goes missing, Inspector French of Scotland Yard is called in and he decides that the only way to solve the missing person case is to solve the mystery of the Jane Vosper as well. But even he is baffled, until his hard work and assiduous following of the clues leads him to the correct conclusion.

Found Floating

Old William was losing touch and a younger man was needed to take over the family business. Jim was the obvious choice but William had other ideas. When Mant was brought in to run the firm, from the forgotten side of the family in Australia, murder was the result.

Antidote to Venom

In an English city zoo a murderer plans to use snake venom to kill an old professor, hoping to inherit a fortune. In this unusual detective story we are shown the planning of the crime. When Inspector French is called in to solve the mystery we learn how an ingenious murder has been committed and follow the actions of the guilty men.

Golden Ashes

The new Sir Geoffrey Buller is working in an office when he unexpectedly inherits the title and Forde Manor with its collection of priceless art. Widow, Betty Stanton, takes the post of housekeeper and is surprised when she finds Sir Geoffrey is having paintings cleaned. The house is empty and Sir Geoffrey in Italy when disaster strikes. Inspector French reconstructs the cunning and complex crime from a mosaic of detail.

Death of a Train

There are only enough radar valves for the Home Forces or for North Africa, not for both. The only means of distribution is a special train and the only person who can prevent information being revealed to the enemy is Inspector French Another riveting crime novel from the author of The Cask and Crime at Guildford

The Cask

When a cask breaks open in a busy London shipping yard, the discovery of its contents leads to a puzzling case for Inspector Burnley of Scotland Yard. As the Inspector begins to trace the mysterious movements of The Cask, his investigative procedures bring him to Paris and onto the path of a meticulously plotted murder, one step at a time.

The Pit-Prop Syndicate

Freeman Wills Crofts 1879 1957 was an Irish English mystery author, one of the Big Four of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. His first novel, The Cask 1920 established him as a new master of detective fiction. Crofts continued to write steadily, producing a book almost every year for thirty years, in addition to a number of short stories and plays. He is best remembered for his favourite detective, Inspector Joseph French, who was introduced in his fifth book, Inspector French’s Greatest Case 1924. He also wrote one religious book, The Four Gospels in One Story, several short stories, and short plays for the BBC. Amongst his other works are The Mystery of the Sleeping Car Express 1921, The Greuze 1921, The Ponson Case 1921, The Pit Prop Syndicate 1922, Inspector French and the Starvel Tragedy 1927, The Sea Mystery 1928, Sudden Death 1932 and Found Floating 1937.

The Groote Park Murder

The mutilated body of Albert Smith is found lying beside the railway line at the north end of the Dartie Tunnel near Groote Park. A passing train has hit him. Although his death appears straightforward, Inspector Vandam isn t satisfied that it is accidental. When his suspicions are justified he embarks on a baffling mystery.

The Great Impersonation (By:E. Phillips Oppenheim)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www. million books. com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III Mr. John Lambert Mangan of Lincoln’s Inn gazed at the card which a junior clerk had just presented in blank astonishment, an astonishment which became speedily blended with dismay. ‘Good God, do you see this, Harrison?’ he exclaimed, passing it over to his manager, with whom he had been in consultation. ‘ Dominey Sir Everard Dominey back here in England! ‘ The head clerk glanced at the narrow piece of pasteboard and sighed. ‘ I’m afraid you will find him rather a troublesome client, sir,’ he remarked. His employer frowned. ‘ Of course I shall,’ he answered testily. ‘ There isn’t an extra penny to be had out of the estates you know that, Harrison. The last two quarters’ allowance which we sent to Africa came out of the timber. Why the mischief didn’t he stay where he was! ‘ ‘What shall I tell the gentleman, sir?’ the boy enquired. ‘ Oh, show him in!’ Mr. Mangan directed ill temperedly. ‘ I suppose I shall have to see him sooner or later. I’ll finish these affidavits after lunch, Harrison.’ The solicitor composed his features to welcome a client who, however troublesome his affairs had become, still represented a family who had been valued patrons of the firm for several generations. He was prepared to greet a seedy looking and degenerate individual, looking older than his years. Instead, he found himself extending his hand to one of the best turned out and handsomest men who had ever crossed the threshold of his not very inviting office. For a moment he stared at his visitor, speechless. Then certain points of familiarity the well shaped nose, the rather deep set grey eyes presented themselves. The surprise enabled him to infuse a little real heartiness into his welcome. ‘ My dear Sir Everard ! ‘ he exclaimed. ‘ This is a most unex…

The Poisoned Chocolates Case (By:Anthony Berkeley)

Sir Eustace is a cad of the first water, with a specialty in other men?s wives, and the list of people who might want to do him in could fill a London phone book. But which of them actually sent the chocolates with their nasty hidden payload? Scotland Yard is baffled. Enter the Crime Circle, a group of society intellectuals with a shared conviction in their ability to succeed where the police have failed. Eventually, each member will produce a tightly reasoned solution to the Case of the Poisoned Chocolates, but each of those solutions will identify a different murderer. First published in 1929, this is both a classic of the golden age of mystery fiction, and one of the great puzzle mysteries of all time.

The Murder of My Aunt (By:Richard Hull)

In this darkly comic, quite immoral masterwork, Edward is an effete, poor young man who has something in store for his only relative, his wealthy aunt. First published in 1934, this classic mystery is considered a masterpiece of the inverted detective story, in which it is known ‘whodunit.’ The question is ‘how will they catch ’em?’ Highly unpredictable, it contains one of the most surprising denouements in all of detective fiction.

The Colour Of Murder (By:Julian Symons)

John Wilkins was a gentle, mild mannered man who lived a simple, predictable life. So when he met a beautiful, irresistible girl his world was turned upside down. Looking at his wife, and thinking of the girl, everything turned red before his eyes the colour of murder. Later, his mind a blank, his only defence was that he loved his wife far too much to hurt her…
‘A book to delight every puzzle suspense enthusiast’ The New York Times

The Progress of a Crime (By:Julian Symons)

Hugh Bennett, young reporter on a local paper, witnessed a terrible crime a group of boys stabbed a man to death on Guy Fawkes’ night, right in front of the fire on the village green. But as Bennett attempts to write the story for his paper, doubts begin to creep in about what he had actually seen and he finds himself in an immense moral dilemma. On first publication, The Progress of a Crime was seen as setting new standards in crime fiction. ‘Brilliant’ The Guardian

The Belting Inheritance (By:Julian Symons)

When a stranger arrives at Belting, he is met with a very mixed reception by the occupants of the old house. Claiming his so called rightful inheritance the stranger makes plans to take up residence at once. Such a thing was bound to cause problems amongst the family but why were so many of them turning up dead?

Related Authors

Leave a Comment