Poisoned Pen Press to Publish British Library Crime Classics and Spy Classics Series in US

Here's something to celebrate. I spoke to Rob Rosenwald, President and Publisher at Poisoned Pen Press, at Bouchercon and Left Coast Crime about the PPP new venture--Publishing British Library Classics and Spy Classics in the U.S. I've now read several of these long unavailable novels, and I can tell you first hand that they're wonderful. Great books and beautifully done editions.

Here's the Press Release from Poisoned Pen Press.

Poisoned Pen Press announces the upcoming release of titles from the British Library Crime Classics series and the British Library Spy Classics series. Poisoned Pen Press will serve as the US publisher for the Crime Classics and Spy Classics series. 

The celebrated British Library Crime Classics and Spy series features historical mysteries rediscovered by the British Library. Focused on the Golden Age of British crime writing, the series includes works by both recognized and lesser-known writers. Poisoned Pen Press will release the first two titles in the Crime Classics series—Murder in Piccadilly by Charles Kingston and The Sussex Downs Murder by John Bude—in May 2015. Twelve additional titles, including two British Library Spy Classics, Trouble on the Thames by Victor Bridges and The Traitor by Sidney Horler, will follow later in 2015. Beginning in 2016, Poisoned Pen Press will be in sync with the British Library’s publishing schedule, with one title slated for release each month. 

Robert Rosenwald, President and Publisher at Poisoned Pen Press, said he was intrigued when initially approached about publishing the series in the US. According to Rosenwald, “The British Library Crime Classic and Spy Classic series are outstanding collections of books written at a time when there was no such thing as genre fiction. As a mystery book publisher with over 700 mysteries in print, we felt Poisoned Pen Press was uniquely positioned to fill the role of US publisher for these extraordinary series. We are thrilled to be able to bring these titles, many of which have been unavailable to the public for years, to the US.” 

Rosenwald added that Poisoned Pen Press is honored to publish works that laid the groundwork for popular crime fiction: “The British Library Crime and Spy Classics series provides important historical context for mystery enthusiasts. These titles are written by authors who were pioneers in crime fiction—the original masters of crime fiction writing. One of the May releases on our list, The Sussex Downs Murder is written by John Bude, which is the pen name for Ernest Elmore, co-founder of the Crime Writers’ Association. These are important books for readers, for writers, and for libraries.” 

Poisoned Pen Press will publish each title in the British Library Crime and Spy Classics series in both trade and eBook formats. Each title will feature cover art chosen by the British Library— smart, old-fashioned designs befitting these golden age crime tales—as well as introductions by well-known experts. 

Founded in 1997, Poisoned Pen Press is an independent publisher specializing in the highest quality mystery books. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Poisoned Pen Press is one of the largest publishers of hardcover mysteries in the world. Visit the new Poisoned Pen Press author blog and Discover Mystery™ at: www.poisonedpenpress.com.