We are pleased to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to Joe Gaute, crime historian of fond memory, whose inspiration it was to compile a ‘Who’s Who of Murder’. The initial concept has been conveyed in various editions published over the last twenty-five years. Thanks are extended to Susan Fennell and the late Richard Floyd for providing a flow of press cuttings and crime references and to Loretta Lay and booksellers on both sides of the Atlantic for finding numerous crime titles.
The support and encouragement of Jonathan Goodman and Jeremy Beadle are gratefully acknowledged and thanks are due to the many faithful crime readers who have taken the time to write to us with information and comments.