E.C.R. Lorac was a British crime writer during the golden age of detective fiction best known for writing the Chief Inspector Robert Macdonald series of books. She also wrote under the pen names of E. C. R. Lorac, Carol Carnac and Mary Le Bourne.

Lorac was born in Middelsex in 1894. She would attend the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London which would serve her well as she’d work as a craft practitioner throughout her life. Her embroidery and calligraphy has been on display at Westminster Abbey. She made her debut as an author in 191 with The Murder on the Burrows. Edith passed away in 1958. Her books have since seen a resurgence thanks to the British Crime Classics series.

Publication Order of Inspector Ryvet Books

(as Carol Carnac)

Triple Death(1936)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Missing Rope(1937)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder at Mornington(1937)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Case of the First-Class Carriage(1939)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
When the Devil Was Sick(1939)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death in the Diving Pool(1940)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of Julian Rivers Books

(as Carol Carnac)

A Double for Detection(1945)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Striped Suitcase(1946)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Clue Sinister(1947)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Over the Garden Wall(1948)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Copy for Crime(1950)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Upstairs, downstairs(1950)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
It\'s Her Own Funeral(1951)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Crossed Skis(1952)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder As a Fine Art(1953)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
A Policeman At the Door(1953)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Impact of Evidence(1954)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder Among Members(1955)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Rigging the Evidence(1955)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Double Turn(1956)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Long Shadows(1958)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of Robert MacDonald Books

The Murder on the Burrows(1931)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Affair on Thor's Head(1932)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Greenwell Mystery(1932)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death On The Oxford Road(1933)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Case of Colonel Marchand(1933)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder in St. John's Wood(1934)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder in Chelsea(1934)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Organ Speaks(1935)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Post After Post-Mortem(1936)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
A Pall for a Painter(1936)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Crime Counter Crime(1936)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
These Names Make Clues(1937)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Bats in the Belfry(1937)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Slippery Staircase(1938)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Black Beadle(1939)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
John Brown's Body(1939)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Tryst for a Tragedy(1940)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death at Dyke's Corner(1940)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Case in the Clinic(1941)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Rope's End, Rogue's End(1942)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Sixteenth Stair(1942)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Checkmate to Murder(1944)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Fell Murder(1944)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder by Matchlight(1945)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Fire in the Thatch(1946)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Relative to Poison(1947)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Part for a Poisoner(1948)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death Before Dinner(1948)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Policemen in the Precinct(1949)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Still Waters(1949)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Accident by Design(1951)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder of a Martinet(1951)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder in the Mill-Race(1952)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Dog It Was That Died(1952)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Crook O'Lune(1953)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Let Well Alone(1954)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Shroud of Darkness(1954)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Ask A Policeman(1955)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder in Vienna(1956)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Picture of Death(1957)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Dangerous Domicile(1957)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder On a Monument(1958)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Last Escape/Dishonour Among Thieves(1959)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Theft of the Iron Dogs(1960)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Devil and the C.I.D.(2012)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death Came Softly(2021)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

The Burning Question (As: Carol Carnac)(1957)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death in Triplicate(1958)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death of a Lady Killer (As: Carol Carnac)(1959)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Two-Way Murder(2021)Description / Buy at Amazon.com

Publication Order of British Library Crime Classics Books

The Notting Hill Mystery (By: Charles Warren Adams)(1862)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Poisoned Chocolates Case (By: Anthony Berkeley)(1929)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
It Walks by Night (By: John Dickson Carr)(1930)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Secret of High Eldersham / The Mystery of High Eldersham (By: Miles Burton)(1930)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Castle Skull (By: John Dickson Carr)(1931)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Mystery in the Channel (By: Freeman Crofts)(1931)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Incredible Crime (By: Lois Austen-Leigh)(1931)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder of a Lady (By: Anthony Wynne)(1931)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Lost Gallows (By: John Dickson Carr)(1931)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Z Murders (By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)(1931)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Corpse in the Waxworks / The Waxworks Murder (By: John Dickson Carr)(1932)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Division Bell Mystery (By: Ellen Wilkinson)(1932)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Portrait of a Murderer (By: Anne Meredith)(1933)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death in Fancy Dress (By: Anthony Gilbert)(1933)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Family Matters (By: Anthony Rolls)(1933)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Hog's Back Mystery (By: Freeman Crofts)(1933)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Mysterious Mr. Badman (By: William Fryer Harvey)(1934)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder Underground (By: Mavis Doriel Hay)(1934)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Scarweather (By: Anthony Rolls)(1934)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death of an Airman (By: Christopher St. John Sprigg)(1934)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Spy Paramount (By: E. Phillips Oppenheim)(1934)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The 12.30 from Croydon (By: Freeman Crofts)(1934)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Chianti Flask (By: Marie Belloc Lowndes)(1934)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Weekend at Thrackley (By: Alan Melville)(1934)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Quick Curtain (By: Alan Melville)(1934)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Lake District Murder (By: John Bude)(1935)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death on the Cherwell (By: Mavis Doriel Hay)(1935)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Cornish Coast Murder (By: John Bude)(1935)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Traitor (By: Sydney Horler)(1936)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Santa Klaus Murder (By: Mavis Doriel Hay)(1936)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Sussex Downs Murder (By: John Bude)(1936)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death of Anton (By: Alan Melville)(1936)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Wheel Spins (By: Ethel Lina White)(1936)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death in the Tunnel / Dark in the Tunnel (By: Miles Burton)(1936)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder in Piccadilly (By: Charles Kingston)(1936)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Mystery in White (By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)(1937)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Bats in the Belfry(1937)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Cheltenham Square Murder (By: John Bude)(1937)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Excellent Intentions (By: Richard Hull)(1938)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder in the Museum (By: John Rowland)(1938)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Antidote to Venom (By: Freeman Crofts)(1938)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Thirteen Guests (By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)(1938)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Port of London Murders (By: Josephine Bell)(1938)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Arsenal Stadium Mystery (By: Leonard R. Gribble)(1939)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Seven Dead (By: J. Jefferson Farjeon)(1939)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Verdict of Twelve (By: Raymond Postgate)(1940)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
A Scream in Soho (By: John G. Brandon)(1940)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death of a Busybody (By: George Bellairs)(1942)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Dead Shall be Raised & Murder of a Quack (By: George Bellairs)(1942)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Somebody at the Door (By: Raymond Postgate)(1943)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder's a Swine (By: Nap Lombard)(1943)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Checkmate to Murder(1944)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Fell Murder(1944)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder by Matchlight(1945)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Trouble on the Thames (By: Victor Bridges)(1945)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Fire in the Thatch(1946)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death Makes a Prophet (By: John Bude)(1947)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Smallbone Deceased (By: Michael Gilbert)(1950)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Calamity in Kent (By: John Rowland)(1950)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death Has Deep Roots (By: Michael Gilbert)(1951)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Last Seen Wearing (By: Hillary Waugh)(1952)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Danger Within / Death in Captivity (By: Michael Gilbert)(1952)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder in the Mill-Race(1952)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Crossed Skis (As: Carol Carnac)(1952)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death on the Riviera (By: John Bude)(1952)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Man Who Didn't Fly (By: Margot Bennett)(1955)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Colour Of Murder (By: Julian Symons)(1957)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Christmas Egg (By: Mary Kelly)(1958)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Progress of a Crime (By: Julian Symons)(1960)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Sergeant Cluff Stands Firm (By: Gil North)(1960)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Spoilt Kill (By: Mary Kelly)(1961)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Body in the Dumb River (By: George Bellairs)(1961)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Due to a Death (By: Mary Kelly)(1963)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Surfeit of Suspects (By: George Bellairs)(1964)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Belting Inheritance (By: Julian Symons)(1965)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Last Best Friend (By: George Sims)(1967)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The End of the Web (By: George Sims)(1976)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Capital Crimes (By: Martin Edwards,Richard Marsh)(2015)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Resorting to Murder (By: Martin Edwards)(2015)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Silent Nights (By: Martin Edwards)(2015)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Murder at the Manor (By: Martin Edwards)(2016)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Serpents in Eden (By: Martin Edwards)(2016)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Crimson Snow (By: Martin Edwards,Fergus Hume)(2016)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Foreign Bodies (By: Martin Edwards,Palle Rosenkrantz)(2017)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Long Arm of the Law (By: Martin Edwards)(2017)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Miraculous Mysteries (By: Martin Edwards)(2017)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Continental Crimes (By: Martin Edwards)(2017)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Blood on the Tracks (By: Martin Edwards)(2018)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Christmas Card Crime and Other Stories (By: Martin Edwards)(2018)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Golden Age of Detection Puzzle Book (By: Kate Jackson)(2018)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Deep Waters (By: Martin Edwards)(2019)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Measure of Malice (By: Martin Edwards)(2019)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
The Pocket Detective 2: 100+ More Puzzles, Brainteasers and Conundrums (By: Kate Jackson)(2019)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Settling Scores (By: Martin Edwards)(2020)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
A Surprise for Christmas and Other Seasonal Mysteries (By: Martin Edwards)(2020)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Two-Way Murder(2021)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Guilty Creatures (By: Martin Edwards)(2021)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Death of an Author(2024)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
Crimes of Cymru (By: Martin Edwards)(2024)Description / Buy at Amazon.com
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Publication Order of Anthologies

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If You Like E.C.R. Lorac Books, You’ll Love…

Checkmate to Murder takes palace as World War II is taking its toll on London. While at a party, a civil servant and a government scientist play chess while an artist paints a portrait. In the kitchen of the home, the artist’s sister is hosting the charlady of the miser next door. When the miser turns up dead, Inspector Macdonald of Scotland Yard is called to the scene. Macdonald and his team will need to figure out if one of the members of the studio party is responsible, or it was some other neighbor.

Another Macdonald book is Bats in the Belfry. The case involves Bruce Attleton who had great success in London’s literary scene with his first two novels, but his star faded after that. He is married to a glittering actress who now considers him a failure and the two lead separate lives. Bruce is called away on a trip to Paris and vanishes completely. His suitcase and passport are found in an artist’s studio and now Inspector Macdonald must sort through Bruce’s secrets to find out the truth.

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