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.
Crossing Guard
The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars! Listened to this on a road trip and it made the hours fly by. Even my passengers who weren't following along commented on how nice the narrator's voice was.
Mallow Man
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! ListenBookโs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Cabbie
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a huge plus during long drives.
Easy Mac
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. ListenBook's intuitive design and thoughtful features have made my audiobook experience delightful. ๐ Simplifying my reading routine โ this app's user-friendly design ensures I'm always in sync with my favorite stories. ๐โจ The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Screwtape
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. ๐ผ Balancing responsibilities with relaxation โ audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. ๐ป๐ ๐ฑ It's like having a personal audiobook library at my fingertips! This app's functionality is a dream come true for book lovers. ๐๐ฅ
Danqqqqq
Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have! I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itโs a unique feature.
Lightening Trip
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. An audiobook Iโll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorโs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
NexusNomad
I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. ๐๐ Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration โ this app keeps me engaged on the road! ๐๐ง
EchoEnigma
Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while exercising. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasnโt blown away. The narratorโs performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
X-Dew
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind โ and this app is my partner in crime. ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. Simplifying my reading routine โ this app's ease of use is remarkable.
Cricket
ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch. Organizing my audiobook library has never been easier. The app keeps everything tidy.
Knight Light
๐ช Crushing workouts while devouring books โ this app makes fitness fun and educational! ๐๏ธโโ๏ธ๐ I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Cream
Audiobooks on this app have made my morning rituals something to look forward to. I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. User-centric audiobook joy โ this app's ease of use is impressive. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch. The app is so well-designed. Itโs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Snow Pharaoh
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. Automated metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is so organized now. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive.
SunVolt
Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand, transforming noisy environments into serene listening spaces. No more interruptions โ the auto-rewind feature is a genius solution for seamless listening. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Infinite Hole
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ๐โโ๏ธ๐ I'm conquering literary marathons with ease, all thanks to this app's intuitive controls and smooth functionality. ๐ฑ๐ Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. CUE playlist support is a fantastic addition. It helps me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
PixelPilgrim
I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content. ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureโitโs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Sw00sh
The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine.
Crazy Rox
Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Iron Butterfly
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories. The app is perfect for bedtime listening. The sleep timer is a must-have. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
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