Can a crime novel help us understand the long shadow cast by the First World War?

In this episode of Oh! What a Lovely Podcast, we explore Christina Koning's acclaimed Blind Detective series. The novels follow Frederick Rowlands, a veteran who lost his sight at Ypres and must navigate the challenges of postwar Britain using his memory, hearing, and sharp intuition.

Set against the backdrop of the 1920s and 1930s, the series combines engaging mystery stories with a rich portrayal of a nation living with the social, cultural, and personal consequences of the Great War.

Jessica, Chris, and Angus are joined by Christina Koning to discuss the inspiration behind Frederick Rowlands, the realities of blindness in the interwar years, and perhaps how crime fiction can illuminate the lasting legacy of the First World War.

References:Koning, C. (2023) Blind Detective. London: Allison & Busby. Faulks, S. (1993) Birdsong. London: Hutchinson. Barker, P. (1991) Regeneration. London: Viking. Barker, P. (1993) The Eye in the Door. London: Viking. Barker, P. (1995) The Ghost Road. London: Viking. Light, A. (1991) Forever England: Femininity, Literature and Conservatism between the Wars. London: Routledge. Chesterton, G. K. (1911) The Innocence of Father Brown. London: Cassell. Sayers, D. L. (1923) Whose Body?. London: T. Fisher Unwin. Winspear, J. (2004) Maisie Dobbs. London: John Murray.