Our May Crime Collective author, Kelly Mullen, shares her take on a truly timeless pairing: Martinis & Murder - exclusively for Crime Collective authors.
A martini is so much more than just the drink itself. It’s a ritual that transports the person sipping it to a moment of clear, crisp elegance. That’s why it’s mythologized in pop culture and has remained a steadfast presence in our bars and on our dining tables since the 1800s.
This iconic cocktail is also indelibly woven into the fabric of many a murder mystery novel. They pair well with one another because they both invite glamour. No one does this better than Agatha Christie. There’s something quietly masterful about the way her characters casually order and sip on cocktails as dark plotlines unfold. Humour is often present, as are sumptuous surroundings that beg you to sit down next to a blazing fireplace with your own favourite tipple in hand.
While whodunits were not solely invented by Christie, I would argue that she did invent the overall vibe of the genre. She creates worlds you want to savor and luxuriate in, especially in difficult times when nothing is more comforting than a puzzle with a clear solution. And the drinks she highlights (whether sherry, daiquiris, or martinis) are always chic. A cyanide-laced champagne is the murder weapon of choice in Sparkling Cyanide, and in Peril at End House, the martinis are ordered dry.
But dry is not the only way to serve a martini. To use the words of Sir Kingsley Amis, “The best martini known to man is the one I make myself for myself.” That’s why the platonic ideal of a martini does not exist. It should be made bespoke to a person’s individual tastes.
That being said, whether you prefer gin or vodka, there are three basic tenets that should always be observed:
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Temperature is everything. Whenever possible, chill the glass beforehand.
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Use a real martini glass. It’s a stylish visual, and the wide mouth allows the aromas to be inhaled as you drink, intensifying the flavours.
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Always stir—do not shake—your martini.
As much as I love The Thin Man and the sparkling crime-fighting couple that is Nick and Norah, Dashiell Hammett gets it all wrong. In a scene at a bar, Nick explicitly instructs the bartender to shake his martini with a particular rhythm. Whether you have rhythm or not, do not shake your martini because ice chips ruin its clarity and smooth texture.
While cosmopolitans, dirty martinis and Manhattans are all wonderful variations on the classic martini, my personal preference is the “onionised” version: the Gibson. It features prominently in my debut novel This Is Not a Game as my protagonist Mimi’s drink of choice. The onions give the alcohol a tangy fusion of strength and saltiness, just like her.
The Gibson is also effortlessly cool. It’s a drink that isn’t trying too hard. This fits well with Bette Davis’ Margo Channing in All About Eve, Mad Men’s Roger Sterling, and Cary Grant’s Roger Thornhill in North by Northwest. In fact, I think it is fair to say there is nothing cooler than Cary Grant sipping a Gibson while flirting with Eva Marie Saint in the lounge car of a speeding train.
Speaking of trains, martini-sipping is all about setting and atmosphere. For classic ambience and a great martini, I’d first and foremost recommend The Savoy or Duke’s in London. But there are also hidden jewels where you can slip inside with a well-worn copy of your favourite Ngaio Marsh or the latest Anthony Horowitz in hand. Mine is a basement-level hideaway in Fitzrovia called Reverend JW Simpson. It’s an understated spot located in the former apartment of its namesake, where they serve well-made martinis at a good price.
Never been to a cocktail bar alone with a book before? Trust me, it’s a lovely experience for an hour or two before stepping back into quotidian life. Try it out in the early evening, when you don’t have anywhere to be and you can enjoy an indulgent moment all to yourself. Settle in and let the kick of alcohol inspire a feeling of anticipation and pleasure. That’s why a martini is the perfect aperitif, because it whets the appetite for whatever’s next. Be that a delicious meal, or the next chapter of a great murder mystery.
