Book description
Nominated for the 2023 Edgar Award for Best Critical/Biographical book. In the first major history of crime fiction in fifty years, The Life of Crime: Detecting the History of Mysteries and their Creators traces the evolution of the genre from the eighteenth century to the present, offering brand-new perspective on the world's most popular form of fiction.Author Martin Edwards is a multi-award-winning crime novelist, the President of the Detection Club, archivist of the Crime Writers' Association and series consultant to the British Library's highly successful series of crime classics, and therefore uniquely qualified to write this book. He has been a widely respected genre commentator for more than thirty years, winning the CWA Diamond Dagger for making a significant contribution to crime writing in 2020, when he also compiled and published Howdunit: A Masterclass in Crime Writing by Members of the Detection Club and the novel Mortmain Hall. His critically acclaimed The Golden Age of Murder (Collins Crime Club, 2015) was a landmark study of Detective Fiction between the wars. The Life of Crime is the result of a lifetime of reading and enjoying all types of crime fiction, old and new, from around the world. In what will surely be regarded as his magnum opus, Martin Edwards has thrown himself undaunted into the breadth and complexity of the genre to write an authoritative - and readable - study of its development and evolution. With crime fiction being read more widely than ever around the world, and with individual authors increasingly the subject of extensive academic study, his expert distillation of more than two centuries of extraordinary books and authors - from the tales of E.T.A. Hoffmann to the novels of Patricia Cornwell - into one coherent history is an extraordinary feat and makes for compelling reading.
Freeze Queen
Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win. AirDrop and sharing make it easy to spread the audiobook love with friends. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content. Listening to audiobooks on my iPad has never been easier. Highly recommend ListenBook! A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Dove Dolce
The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing β it's my relaxation therapy. π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§ Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Racy Lady
This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive.
ReiGnZ
Thanks to this app, listening to audiobooks has become a delightful habit. This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules β it's like time travel through stories. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments.
Irish Dze
The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like having a personal reading guide. ListenBookβs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Stud Buster
With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls.
Sweetness
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Night Train
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a high-quality playback experience sets it apart from other apps. ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. This app has transformed my daily routine into moments of literary delight. No more converting files β this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort.
Sofa King
β° Maximizing my time with efficient features β this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. πβ³ I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Zero Charisma
π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³ Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward β thank you, app! Audiobooks made accessible β this app's ease of use is a true blessing. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content.
Lunar Treat
ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content.
Good William
Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys β thank you, app! ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
Bom Crossed
π Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ππ Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection.
Fast Draw
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is commendable. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
Aqua Monsoon
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true β no more hassles! ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. I'm amazed at how this app has made my workouts more motivating and my audiobooks more accessible. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Liquid Death
ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. πͺ Crushing workouts while devouring books β this app makes fitness fun and educational! ποΈββοΈπ π Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks β this app turns errands into epic quests! ππ Audiobook enjoyment has never been this convenient. This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and enjoyable. ππ The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
NexusNomad
The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
The Happy Jock
The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
Tall Sally
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
Tokyo Dream
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. βοΈ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality β I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ππ§ ListenBook has redefined how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an essential tool for my literary pursuits.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience