Robert Richardson 1940 - 2021
Robert Richardson, journalist and crime writer, has died aged 80.
He enjoyed a life-long career in journalism with the Welwyn & Hatfield Times before a move to national newspapers including the Daily Mail, and as a sub-editor on The Independent and The Guardian.
He turned to crime writing in 1985 with The Latimer Mercy (also entitled An Act of Evil), a deliberately traditional mystery with the flamboyantly-named Augustus Maltravers as his detective, which won the CWA’s John Creasey Award for best first novel.
It was the start of Richardson’s long association with, and stalwart supporter of, the CWA. He was to become, uniquely, the only crime-writer to serve as Chairman twice – in 1993-94 and again in 2006-07 – and was involved in the Association’s activities long after the last of his nine novels Victims appeared in 1997.
In 2020 he was award The CWA Red Herrings Award for giving generously of his time and expertise, benefiting not only the CWA but the wider crime-writing community.
The Latimer Mercy by Robert Richardson (Victor Gollancz Ltd)
The story begins with the theft of the Latimer Mercy Bible, which contains the misprint ''merry'' corrected by the martyr Hugh Latimer during the 16th century. Augustus (Gus) Maltravers, playwright, is visiting his sister and brother-in-law in Vercaster when the treasure is stolen from the cathedral. A planned festival there goes on, nonetheless, and Gus's friend Diana Porter is a smash hit in the one-woman show he has created for her. Then Diana vanishes, as suddenly as the Bible, and the dramatist helps the police interrogate the many suspects, including members of the clergy. A small clue leads Gus to the guilty person but not in time to prevent a hideous crime.
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