An Underworld at War by
Donald Thomas
hbk out July 03
Published by John Murray
at £20
Donald Thomas has a wide range of writing credits: crime novels, Sherlockian pastiches,
poetry and biographies. His study of the Victorian underworld, published six years ago, made
fascinating reading and he has now turned his attention to underworld activities of more
recent date. The success of the television series Foyle's War has highlighted criminal activity
on the home front during the second world war and Thomas's book paints in a good deal of
detail. There are accounts of various celebrated murder cases, including the short-lived career
of 'the Blackout Ripper', Harry Dobkin's murder of his wife and the bizarre folie-a-deux case
of the American Karl Hulten and his floosie Elizabeth Jones, better known as 'Chicago Joe
and the Showgirl'. But Thomas also describes many less dramatic, but nonetheless intriguing
crimes. He gives special emphasis to topics like the black market, crime in shady clubs and
dog racing. Diverse material is, as in his earlier book, well presented and above all we get an
authentic flavour of an extraordinary period in British history.
(
Martin Edwards
- author of the highly acclaimed Harry Devlin Mysteries)
An Underworld at War by
Donald Thomas
