Back on my hobby-horse of cover design, I couldn't help taking an instant dislike to the new Faber & Faber cover for Cyril Hare's Tragedy at Law (below). Any of the above would have been preferable, I think, from the neutral Penguin in its green crime livery, to the older Faber version with its faint but discernible legal feel to - best of all - the coloured illustration which (I read) "captures the mood of the book".
In contrast, what does this one say? If the book's period feel is one of its charms, and its setting in the legal world a perfectly realised and important characteristic, is that conveyed by what's on the front? Not to me, and had I not had P.D. James' recommendation, I don't think I'd have picked up this book in a shop. Granted, I haven't read it yet and the design may turn out to be apposite, but I ha'e ma doots!
Dark Puss was asking about the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. I'm no expert so I can but point to this explanation, but if anyone knows more (or can supply a good link) please tell us. Or, we could all attend this course!
