J.J. Marric

John Creasey, writing under the pen name J.J. Marric, was a prolific British author of crime and mystery novels. Born in 1908, he began writing at a young age, publishing his first novel at age 18. Marric is best known for his series featuring Superintendent Gideon of Scotland Yard. The first book in the series, "Gideon's Day," was published in 1955 and became a bestseller. Creasey continued to write the series until his death in 1973, with 17 novels and several short stories featuring the character. The Gideon series received critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of police work and its complex and well-developed characters. "Gideon's Day" won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 1956. Marric also wrote numerous other crime and adventure novels under various pen names. By the end of his career, he had published over 600 books, making him one of the most prolific authors of his time.