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Gideon's Press

by John Creasey

John Creasey was a prodigious writer, and one who often wrote under different pseudonyms – in this case, using J. J. Marric. Mr. Creasey's enormous output was especially famous during his lifetime for the Gideon novels, and Gideon's Press was published just shortly after Creasey's death in June of 1973. Although written about problems between British politics, British media and British police, Gideon's Press has the clarion ring of truth involving all three of those organizations anywhere in the world. Mr. Creasey, like his protagonist, was adept at seeing beyond any current situation to the causes behind it.

The delivery failure of his morning newspaper is the first intimation Commander George Gideon has that something other than his paper boy's laziness is happening. Stopping at the newsagents on his way to Scotland Yard, he discovers that the distribution of newspapers is being held up by a proposed dock strike. And such a strike will influence more than just newspapers – it will stop England's intake of many necessities, including some foods.

No sooner is he made aware of this than he's contacted by the City Police Commissioner, Sir Giles Rook, and requested to go to that office rather than Scotland Yard. When Gideon arrives, he discovers Inspector Lawless of the Port of London Authority Police there before him. They inform Gideon that a right wing group known as The Strikebreakers are planning to surprise the dockworkers and break up the strike. Police presence beforehand would not only notify The Strikebreakers that they had been infiltrated by spies, but the media would be certain to focus on clashes between the cops and whoever else was there – with accompanying cries of police brutality, etc. etc. etc.

Charles Mesurier, editor of The Daily News is on Gideon's side. Together they plan to 'leak' a story about the proposed strike. Malcolm Brill, one of Mesurier's reporters, is sent to cover the docks and the expected fight between the dock workers and the Strikebreakers. Brill was scheduled to take his wife to the ballet that evening, and had to find his replacement in a hurry – unfortunately he decides on a friend of a friend, Jack Leddon, who happens to be a longtime admirer of Rose, Brill's wife. Needless to say, Leddon takes advantage of his opportunity, and Rose responds.

Without any awareness of Brill, Rose, or Leddon, another complication on Gideon's plate is the constant influx of illegal aliens into the country. Pakistanis, especially – most of them crowded into the hold of a boat – and treated by the ship's officers as completely disposable cargo if the boat comes into any danger of being discovered by authorities before offloading. Indeed, of the two ships presently spotted offshore, one had already been abandoned, cargo hatches battened down, holed drilled and the boat left to sink - its hold filled to capacity with living men.

Alan Holmes, known as 'Old Homer' is also a reporter, and in the pub favored by dockworkers before Malcolm Brill arrives. He determines to follow Brill to find out what's going on, since he's seen weapons disappearing into pockets when Brill came in. But after visiting an outdoor latrine, he's knocked unconscious and finds himself bound, gagged, and left in a dark and lonely building.

The deserted building happens to adjacent to Number One Dock Gate, where most of the action for the strike is to take place, so while Old Homer lies helpless he can also hear first the loudspeaker speech, then the following roar, which increases when the Strikebreakers enter the scene. Armies of police, which had been in hiding, come out to stop the fighting, and helicopters spray the huge crowd with tear gas – some of which leaks into the building occupied by (Old Homer.

It eventually develops that Strikebreakers, illegal immigrants, crooked landlords and even drug importation are all connected. When at last the mess is
cleared up, Old Homer is found on the edge of death, and Gideon himself is attacked and almost killed by a wrathful and disappointed right winger.

No actual murders take place in this novel, although the book is filled with suspense. With Gideon's Press, John Creasey brings several important factors to the British (and American) public attention – primarily the scandal surrounding illegal immigrants and their handling by profiteering landlords as well as smuggling in general. Both countries are being inundated with illegals by these greedy men.

John Creasey was a major figure in British crime fiction. He will be missed.

Alan Paul Curtis

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