To Coin a Phrase

Edwin Isaac Radford (1891-1973) with his wife Mona A. Radford (born Mona Augusta Mangan) (1894-1990) made up the writing duo E. and M. A. Radford. Edwin Radford married Mona Augusta Mangan in 1939. Edwin worked as a journalist, holding many editorial roles on Fleet Street in London, and became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Mona was a popular leading lady in musical-comedy and revues until her retirement from the stage. Mona wrote poetry as well as works for the stage. The couple turned to crime fiction when they were both in their early fifties. Edwin described their collaborative formula as: “She kills them off, and I find out how she done it.” Their primary series detective was Harry Manson who they introduced in 1944. Between 1944 and 1972 the two wrote thirty novels, all published in England. They also edited the Encyclopaedia of Superstitions and wrote on folk lore and the origins of words and phrases. The Radfords spent their final years living in Worthing on the English South Coast. [from Dean Street Press]