A Scream in Soho: A British Library Crime Classic    by John G. Brandon Order:  USA  Can Poisoned Pen, 2016 (2016) Softcover, e-Book     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth A Scream in Soho by John G. Brandon was published in England in 1940, just before the United States entered World War II. It was written in what was known as the Golden Age of crime writing – the 1930s and into the early 40s. The British Library Crime Classics arranged with Poisoned Pen Press to make other British classics available to today's reading public. The author of A Scream in Soho was born in Australia and wrote over a hundred detective novels! So, pick up a copy and enter a different time and age with a book that will stand the scrutiny of today's readers. A Scream in Soho begins as a terrible scream tears the air in Soho during one of the blackouts, necessary during World War II to prevent enemy planes from seeing light from the ground which would help them pick targets for their devastating bombs. A blood-curdling scream reverberates through Soho and a knife covered in blood is all that is found. Detective Inspector McCarthy is assigned to find whose blood and knife are involved. We, as readers, are now into the dark side of Soho where Italian gangsters, cross-dressing German spies, and glamorous Austrian aristocrats reside. Anti-aircraft defense plans are stolen, plans that could have changed the direction of the war. It becomes imperative to discover who had the opportunity to take them and to get them back. This fast-moving plot hardly gives the reader time to take deep breaths. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews