MYSTERY SUNDAY

Curl up this Sunday with a classic mystery novel. Follow the clues with Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, and Hercule Poirot in some of these beautifully designed books by the Folio Society, HarperCollins, and Thomas & Mercer. Although I enjoy the convenience of eBooks, which have less impact on my budget and shelf space, there is still something unique about reading an artfully produced edition. Looking at the cover designs and illustrations, feeling the texture of the boards and paper, and even hearing the subtle sound of turning a page all add up to a sensual experience that informs the story blooming in our imagination. 

The Complete Sherlock Holmes Heirloom Edition was published last November by Thomas & Mercer and contains four individual hardcover volumes in an elegant case. The series also features color illustrations (see images below). The audiobook edition was just released on September 1st, and features the voice of Simon Vance, reader of Penguin's James Bond collection. Spy Vibe's interview with Simon Vance about 007 and Holmes here. Heirloom Edition on Amazon here. The Folio Society published Complete Sherlock Holmes story and novel collections in 1993 and 2004 with some re-print editions. You can track them down on the used book market and on auction sites. Heirloom Edition:

Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist in history, with over two billion books sold in over 45 languages. HarperCollins picked up the English language rights to her work in 2010 and published the series with cool, vintage-style cover designs (many by the Brighton firm Crush Designs). 

The Folio Society has printed a few Agatha Christie editions over the years. The Miss Marple and Poirot collections sport vintage-style designs with whimsical spot illustrations of characters and convention elements. Below: The Complete Miss Marple Short Stories (2003-2005) and The Complete Hercule Poirot Short Stories (2003). The Folio Society currently has a complete collection of Miss Marple novels in print here. Our announcement for the new Agatha Christie continuation novel: Poirot Returns. Spy Vibe's coverage of the Folio Society: Folio Spies, Mystery Book Exhibit. Spy Vibe's Mystery/Adventure archive on Pinterest here. 

Recent Spy Vibe posts: Steranko S.H.I.E.L.D. Artist Editions, David Tennant's Ian Fleming audio books, The Prisoner & Captain Scarlet, HMV returns to Oxford st w Beatles promo, Diego Fortunato & Verner Panton,  Saturday Morning Cartoons, Assassination Bureau on DVD, new Young Bond series,  Peter Asher, Gerry Marsden tour, Elio Petri on Blu-ray, Sophia Loren, new Beatles BBC album, new Hercule Poirot novel, Beatles fall 2013 releases, A Hard Days Night cinematographer dies, Magic Christian on Blu-ray, Early Beatles image archive, Julie Newmar, Erno Goldfinger, Hitchcock tribute.

Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: Erno Goldfinger, Ian Fleming Music Series links: Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address.