Stevyn Colgan Books

What is the link between the Sex Pistols and crude oil; between Isaac Newton, Pink Floyd and a suicidal dwarf on the set of The Wizard of Oz ? What is Scooby-Doo’s real name, and why should you make a point of avoiding armadillos? You’ll find out the answers to these questions and a whole lot more in Joined-Up Thinking . Each chapter of the book begins with a fascinating piece of information, spins a dizzying web of connected facts and, with a spine-tingling final flourish, brings the loop full circle. So open up the book, begin at the beginning – and end at the beginning… `I found myself fascinated and, like a child who thinks it`s fun to go round and round in circles, somewhat dizzy. Most impressive` Stephen Fry `The book that nails that odd, slightly unnerving feeling that everything really is connected` John Mitchinson, co-author of The Book of General Ignorance

Two aristocrats, a hidden fortune and the not-so-greatest show on Earth.

Can lollipops reduce anti-social behaviour? Or wizards halt street gambling? Do fake bus stops protect pensioners? Will organising a dog show stop young people killing each other? Stevyn Colgan believes that the answer to all of those questions is 'Yes'. Packed with fascinating anecdotes and important questions, this astonishing book reveals the innovative and imaginative ways Colgan tried to prevent crime during his thirty years on the police force. Colgan worked for twelve of those years as part of a unique team called The Problem Solving Unit. With no budget and laughable resources, they were given an extraordinary brief - to solve problems of crime and disorder that wouldn't respond to traditional policing. They were told they could try anything as long as it wasn't illegal, wasn't immoral, wouldn't bring the police into disrepute, and didn't cost very much. With amusing, insightful and sometimes controversial approaches to problem solving, Colgan mixes personal anecdotes from his time on the force with real-world examples of how The Problem Solving Unit helped build communities and prevent recurring crime. At its core, this book's message is simple: police should direct far more effort towards preventing crime before it happens rather than solving crime after it has happened.

When hordes of people descend on the picturesque village of Nasely for the annual celebration of its most famous resident, murder mystery writer Agnes Crabbe, events take a dark turn as the festival opens with a shocking death.