This introductory book offers a coherent history of twentieth century crime and the law in Britain, with chapters on topics ranging from homicide to racial hate crime, from incest to anarchism, from gangs to the death penalty. Pulling together a wide range of literature, David Nash and Anne-Marie Kilday reveal the evolution of attitudes towards criminality and the law over the course of the twentieth century. Highlighting important periods of change and development that have shaped the overall history of crime in Britain, the authors provide in-depth analysis and explanation of each theme. This is an ideal companion for undergraduate students taking courses on Crime in Britain, as well as a fascinating resource for scholars.

"Murder and Mayhem provides a timely and accessible study of crime and criminality in twentieth-century Britain. Exploring and contextualising key themes in the history of crime, the text is an invaluable resource for students and researchers alike." - Samantha Pegg, Nottingham Law School, UK

"Every student of twentieth-century British crime should read this book. Written by experts in the field, each chapter addresses a key theme in the history of crime and criminal justice. Not only do the chapters summarise what we know, but also what we don't about the chosen themes. Students looking for research project ideas will find plenty to inspire them." - Mark Roodhouse, University of York, UK