Gideon's Staff

Gideon #5

by John Creasey, Hugh Kermode (Reading)

Inspector Gideon of Scotland Yard has had enough. Enough, such that Gideon (or GG) lays his career on the line in opposition to budget cuts. Criminals are escaping through the thin blue line. And the Home Secretary is none too pleased at him for taking internal politics public. Will the great man save both the public and his job?



'The King of Crime' wrote an astonishing number of crime and mystery books, selling more than 80 million copies worldwide in 28 languages over five decades. His most famous characters include The Baron, Inspector West, and Gideon. The Creasey Dagger is the UK's top award for first time crime novelists with winners including Patricia Cornwell and Minette Walters. Creasey is an inspiration to the aspiring but as yet unpublished author. He had 743 rejection slips before his first book was accepted. He never stopped believing in himself and he never gave up. He wasn't afraid to take risks either - writing under 10 different names and changing styles with each character.

Genres: Mystery, Procedural, Fiction, British Literature

MP3 CD

Published August 16, 2016

About the author

AKA Gordon Ashe, M E Cooke, Norman Deane, Robert Caine Frazer, Patrick Gill, Michael Halliday, Charles Hogarth, Brian Hope, Colin Hughes, Kyle Hunt, Margaret Lisle, Abel Mann, Peter Manton, J.J. Marric, Richard Martin, Rodney Mattheson, Anthony Morton, Jeremy York, Henry St. John Cooper and Margaret Cooke.

John Creasey (September 17, 1908 - June 9, 1973) was born in Southfields, Surrey, England and died in New Hall, Bodenham, Salisbury Wiltshire, England. He was the seventh of nine children in a working class home. He became an English author of crime thrillers, published in excess of 600 books under 20+ different pseudonyms. He invented many famous characters who would appear in a whole series of novels. Probably the most famous of these is Gideon of Scotland Yard, the basis for the television program Gideon's Way but others include Department Z, Dr. Palfrey, The Toff, Inspector Roger West, and The Baron (which was also made into a television series). In 1962, Creasey won an Edgar Award for Best Novel, from the Mystery Writers of America, for Gideon's Fire, written under the pen name J. J. Marric. And in 1969 he was given the MWA's highest honor, the Grand Master Award.

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

JJ Marric's Commander Gideon police procedural series is always entertaining and good value for money. Gideon's Staff, the 5th book in the series, was no exception. Gideon is suffering from staff shortages and along with the other division heads in London's police hierarchy, is asked to examine the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to let the police commissioner what he can do without in an era of cutbacks. Gideon argues that it can't be done as it will seriously affect his division's ability to fight crime. So throughout this particular story, the embattled Gideon, now moved up a slot temporarily, due his supervisor's illness, must try to solve a variety of ongoing cases, present a case for more money and try to husband his tired resources.
A cop has been murdered and Gideon is trying to find Mickey the Slob, the gangster who orchestrated the killing. Gideon is helping a police force on the coast where a pervert has been assaulting and killing little girls. As well, a 'master criminal' plans to take advantage of CID's issues by planning a major heist.
There is nothing new in the Gideon series but the stories are always told so very well. You have a variety of viewpoints, from Gideon as the main one, but also those of his investigators and also those of the criminals in involved in the crimes. And there is always the added enjoyment of Gideon's lovely wife and great kids.
The format makes for engaging, interesting crime stories, page turners with enough excitement to keep you moving along. Added to this story is the issue of the whole funding matter and how Gideon tries to solve that. Entertaining and more than just a crime story. Check the series out. (4.0 stars)

[Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Systematic and effective, suspenseful and full of police action, competent and intelligent.

[laurel jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light and entertaining fast read

[C. John Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this book Gideon confronts a problem still with us, namely a police force that is already feeling the effects of not having the financial resources it needs and whose political masters want it to reduce expenses even more. Gideon is forced to take measures he would not normally do to drive home his worries. Of course this gives the criminal element, or at least some of them, ideas. Add to this a child molester/killer and Gideon certainly has his hands full. As always we have a number of other policemen involved in the various stories. Each one is distinct from the other, which gives an added texture to the book. As well we have a nice dose of Gideon's off-duty life. All in all a nice addition to the series.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Commander Gideon lays his career on the line in opposition to budget cuts. The Yard is already understaffed to the point that criminals are escaping through the thin police lines. Even if his press campaign wins support for Scotland Yard, he will probably be in trouble with the Home Secretary for taking internal politics public. It would favor his campaign if the criminals were seen to be winning, but Gideon can't allow that.

[Michael P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series about Commander Gideon of Scotland Yard, his staff, and his family improves with each volume. This is the fifth. John Creasey, writing under the name J. J. Merrick, concentrates on the members of the Yard in this story, and characterizations, usually Creasey's weakness, come into focus and grow in complexity. This is a satisfying crime novel.

[Delores Alger · Rating 4 out of 5]

creasey's gideon