Never underestimate the power of the press (to sell books)

The NY Times recently ran an article reprinting their original reviews of classic crime novels from the 1920s and 1930s. Some – like the novels of Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Dorothy Sayers, Dashiell Hammett and others – have retained their popularity nearly a century later.

Others are less well-known today. Included in the list was a review of Gladys Mitchell‘s fourth novel, which was the first one of her books to be published in the United States: “The Saltmarsh Murders.” Within hours all 3 of our copies were gone (sorry). We enjoyed the sudden demand, but for those who couldn’t find a copy of Saltmarsh, I can guarantee that most of her other books are just as eccentric and just as enjoyable – and they all feature Mrs (later Dame) Bradley.