John Creasey ​

John Creasey was an English crime and science fiction writer who wrote more than six hundred novels using twenty-eight different pseudonyms. He created several characters which are now famous. These include The Toff, Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard, Inspector Roger West, The Baron, Doctor Emmanuel Cellini and Doctor Stanislaus Alexander Palfrey.

Quick Facts ​

• Wrote more than 600 novels using 28 different pseudonyms.
• Was awarded the Mystery Writers of America's highest honor, the Grand Master award.
• Sales of his books have exceeded 80 million copies.
• Created two popular characters named Toff and Gideon.
• Several of his books were made into movies and TV series.

Background ​

Creasey was born in 1908 in Southfields, Surrey, England, to a working-class family. He failed to pass the entrance exam to the Royal Navy at age 13, and subsequently began to write. His first novel, Seven Times Seven, was rejected by eight publishers before it was accepted for publication in 1932. He went on to write more than 600 books under 28 different pseudonyms. His works included science fiction, westerns, romances, and crime novels. He created several popular series, such as The Toff, Dr. Palfrey, and Commander George Gideon of Scotland Yard. Creasey also founded the Crime Writers Association in 1953 and was the inaugural chairman. He passed away in 1973, leaving behind a vast body of work.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Creasey's writing is characterized by brisk pacing, well-constructed plotlines, and keen attention to detail. His works span across various genres, but he is most celebrated for his crime fiction. His books have been noted for their social commentary and exploration of social issues of his times, subtly woven into the narrative. He has been lauded for developing the procedural police detective genre and has had a considerable influence on crime fiction writers who came after him.

Notable Works ​

• Inspector West Takes Charge (1942)
• The Toff in Town (1957)
• A Case for Inspector West (1960)
• Gideon's Day (1955)
• Murder, London-Australia (1975)