Crime and Mystery: The 100 Best Books

by H.R.F. Keating

Traces the growth of the mystery genre and selects what he considers to be the top one hundred, giving a perceptive and informative account of each

Genres: Mystery, Nonfiction, Books About Books, Crime, Reference

219 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Henry Reymond Fitzwalter Keating was an English writer of crime fiction most notable for his series of novels featuring Inspector Ghote of the Bombay CID.

H. R. F. KEATING was well versed in the worlds of crime, fiction and nonfiction. He was the crime books reviewer for The Times for fifteen years, as well as serving as the chairman of the Crime Writers Association and the Society of Authors. He won the CWA Gold Dagger Award twice, and in 1996 was awarded the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger for outstanding service to crime fiction.

Series:
. Inspector Ghote
. Harriet Martens

Series contributed to:
. Malice Domestic
. Perfectly Criminal

Reviews

[Jill H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is what I call a bedtime book..........a break from large non-fiction tomes. I read this is 2011 but don't remember much about it since I have read many mystery short story collections. And, of course, certain classics are included which show up in most lists of "best mystery books".

The noted author H.R.F. Keating chooses his favorite 100 best mystery books and I agree with most of them. I have to admit, there were at least two of which I was unfamiliar but I was also relieved to see that I have read the majority of them. This is a little book that every mystery lover should have in their collection.

[AC · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful collection of ideas, but the actual write ups of each piece are not terribly interesting. Keating also shows himself very much a man of his culture and time. That is not meant as a compliment.

[Two Envelopes And A Phone · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reading guide that got me to read The False Inspector Dew, by Peter Lovesey - probably my favourite Mystery novel (though Black Water Lilies by Bussi likes to think of itself as co-favourite, and I'm OK with that). Often these lists of books (in this case, buttressed by 2-page essays discussing the book) have that one recommendation that - even if all the other books were awful - would make investing in the list worthwhile anyway; that is not the situation here, as Keating put me on to many delights. I loved The Documents in the Case, The New Sonia Wayward, The Man Who Killed Himself, and so many others.

Unlike when I reviewed David Pringle's reading guide, Science Fiction: The 100 Best Books, I haven't quite gotten to all the recommendations, before doing this review (I've finally picked up Murder Against the Grain - but, oh my, McCloy's Mr. Splitfoot needs a re-issue, or it's going to cost me!). But I have read all the illuminating, charming essays on each book. Of course H. R. F. Keating doesn't spoil any of the whodunits...except for giving away part of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, beforehand letting the reader known he's going to do that so that anyone can bail on the essay. He feels he cannot discuss the book properly without giving up the murder's solution, and I suppose he's right, since that leads to what reactions were to that finale.

When I committed to this reading guide, around 1989 or so, its last several entries were fairly fresh publications; now it is a dusty but reliable guide to old classics, but also hidden gems, from the various Crime & Mystery sub-genres.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

H. R. F. Keating's Crime & Mystery: The One Hunderd Best Books (1987) gives mystery readers his highly authoritative list of the best in crime and mystery fiction to that date. Is it a subjective list--of course. Any list of the best of anything is going to be subjective. But Keating is a well-respected mystery author in his own right as well as a critic for The Times and has a pretty fair knowledge of the genre. We may quibble over the lack of one of our favorites or the submission of a novel of which we just can't quite see the value, but over-all mystery fans should be pleased with Keating's offerings. The most useful part of this collection goes beyond the list itself. Keating gives each selection a two-page synopsis--making the case for its place on the list as well as whetting the appetites of those who have not yet read these books. I was pleased to see how many of these novels I have already read and how many I would probably include on my own "Best of" list. A reference book that every mystery lover should want on their shelves. Four stars.

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.

[Toby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I trust H.R.F. Keating's judgment when it comes to crime fiction. The man is clearly enamoured of the genre (much like my impression of P.D. James after reading Talking About Detective Fiction) and you don't get to review crime fiction for The Times if your opinion is a bit shit.

Upon reading his synopses and opinions in this book I decided to attempt to read them all. Over the course of my life, not this week. If ever there was a respected list to educate the casual fan of the crime genre then this is it.

If anyone is interested in the format etc it is as follows:
A foreword by the Queen of Suspense Patricia Highsmith
An introduction to the rules of the list by the author
A chronological journey from Tales of Mystery and Imagination in 1845 through to A Taste For Death in 1986 (the year before this list was published)
An added bonus of book 101 by the publisher promoting the new novel from Mr Keating The Murder of the Maharajah

Obviously there's a lot of time between 1986 to the present day and there's bound to be a few select pieces of excellent crime fiction released in that period but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

[Paul Hasbrouck · Rating 5 out of 5]

All lovers of the mystery story should have this book. Read the excellent mini-reviews of classic mysteries and discover ones that you have missed. It was published in 1987, but it is still fun.

[Randy Money · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fun testing my preferences against the preferences of someone more widely read in the genre than I am. First published in 1987, the later choices made by Keating seem to me to hold up -- even the ones I haven't read I've heard of. This book will be influencing my future reading.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing

[Denis Gorovenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the best book I've ever read.

[Sheri Nar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something