From Aconite to the Zodiac Killer

Amanda Lees

'The Dictionary of Crime is now the first book I reach for when beginning a new novel. An essential resource it's packed with explanations insider information contemporary and historical slang as well as some downright bizarre laws and practices. It's funny fascinating and a damn good read'
M. W CRAVEN winner of the 2019 Crime Writers Association Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year for The Puppet Show

'A really good idea . . . executed neatly to come up with the perfect gift for crime lovers'
MAT COWARD Morning Star

'I found myself rolling around in it for hours like a gangster's moll on a bed full of money. Sheer delight!'
CATRIONA McPHERSON

'Where was this book when I started writing? From Aconite to the Zodiac Killer is the essential companion for any serious reader or writer of crime'
LEYE ADENLE author of When Trouble Sleeps

'A fascinating compendium of crime facts which should be on the shelves of every crime writer ­­- and every crime reader'
SIMON BRETT

'This is a dangerous book in so many ways chock full of ways of killing people from undetectable poisons to various types of guns. It contains riveting accounts of notorious murderers is crammed with fascinating details of slang and precise particulars of police procedures. The perfect gift for any true crime enthusiast and an indispensable guide for all crime fiction writers.'
S. W. WILLIAMS author of Small Deaths and How to Write Crime Fiction

'A remarkable achievement. At once elucidating and compelling indispensable and unputdownable. It reads like a page-turning thriller. Whether a crime writer who needs to distinguish a blood agent from a bum beef or a reader with an interest in queer coal makers this lexicon will keep you hooked and leave you sublimely informed.'
GARY DONNELLY author of Killing in Your Name and Blood Will Be Born

'Fascinating insightful and taking up permanent residency on my desk. Amanda Lees' Dictionary of Crime is my new bible!'
CHRIS WHITTAKER award-winning author of Tall Oaks All The Wicked Girls and We Begin at the End

'What a little gem this is ­- such a great idea and a valuable resource for writers. I found myself dipping into it at intervals and marvelling at the extent of the research that's gone into it as well as chuckling over some of the more unusual entries. My personal favourites? BINGO seat nicker moll buzzer and lully-prigger. Wouldn't have had a clue what they meant . . . but I'm determined to work them in somewhere in a future novel!'
G. J. MINETTT author of The Syndicate


'A fascinating journey through the dark side of the human psyche. Highly recommended for anyone interested in criminals and crime'
PATRICK REDMOND bestselling author of The Wishing Game

An essential popular A-Z reference guide for fans of crime fiction and true crime in books TV and film helping to make sense of everything from asphyxiation to VX nerve agent.

This is an indispensable guide for fans of true crime and crime fiction whether in books film or on TV who want to look behind the crime to understand the mechanics of an investigation to walk in their favourite detectives' shoes and most importantly to solve the clues.

To do that one needs to be fluent in the language of the world of crime. We need to know what that world-weary DI is talking about when she refers to another MISPER. We have to immediately grasp the significance of the presence of paraquat and precisely why it is still a poison of choice.

If you want to know how many murders it takes for a killer to be defined as a serial killer what Philip Marlowe means when he talks about being 'on a confidential lay' and why the