Serpents in Eden (British Library Crime Classics) Paperback – March 1, 2016 by Martin Edwards (Poisoned Pen Press)

The quaint, remote British village where crime rears its ugly head has long been a setting loved by writers of classic mystery. Somehow cities with their abundance of people promote a sense of safety. While the village, with its remote environs and its sparse population makes suspense and danger easy to create.

Serpents in Eden is an anthology that every lover of classic British mystery should possess. Several authors are well known favorites, while others are relatively unknown to modern readers. The majority of the stories included in Serpents in Eden will new to the reader, making it a delicious repast for any lover of classic mystery.

My personal favorites include The Naturalist at Law, Direct Evidence, and Inquest, the last of which involves a murder that looks like a standard murder for profit, but where there is a surprising twist. The former two both involve looking beyond the obvious to find the truth. I don't want to say much because I don't want to spoil the reader's fun.

Serpents of Eden is an incredible volume containing a vast array of short fiction written by some of the finest authors in the history of British mystery. Whether you are looking for a pleasant puzzle to pass the time or are a die hard mystery fan, you won't be disappointed by Serpents in Eden.