Jack Batten

Jack Batten is a well-known Canadian author, best recognized for his Crang Mystery series. Prior to his foray into fiction, Batten primarily wrote non-fiction works. His writing career spans over many years and includes a diverse range of topics, from sports to the law.

Batten's foray into fiction began in the 1980s, with the release of the first book in the Crang series, "Crang Plays the Ace" in 1987. The series follows the adventures of Crang, a Toronto-based criminal lawyer and part-time private investigator. Over the years, the series has gained a loyal following and critical acclaim.

After a brief and unhappy career as a lawyer, Batten has been a successful freelance writer for many years. He has written over thirty books on a wide range of subjects, including biography, crime fiction, law and court cases, and sports. Batten's personal interests, such as jazz, movies, and crime, often find their way into his Crang series. He currently resides in Toronto.
Crang Mystery Books
# Title Year
1 Crang Plays the Ace 1987
2 Straight No Chaser 1989
3 Riviera Blues 1990
4 Blood Count 1991
5 Take Five 2013
6 Keeper of the Flame 2016
7 Booking In 2017
Non-Fiction Books
# Title Year
1 The Inside Story of Conn Smythe's Hockey Dynasty 1969
2 Champions 1971
3 Honest Ed's Story 1972
4 The Leafs in Autumn 1975
5 The Complete Jogger 1977
6 Canada Moves Westward, 1880/1890 1977
7 LAWYERS. 1981
8 In court 1982
9 Robinette, The Dean Of Canadian Lawyers 1985
10 Judges 1987
11 Everyday Law 1987
12 On Trial 1988
13 Class of '75 1992
14 Rosedale: The First 100 Years of Rosedale Golf Club 1993
15 The Maple Leafs 1994
16 Hoopla 1996
17 Canada at the Olympics 1996
18 Mind Over Murder 1997
19 A History of Bennett Jones Verchere 1997
20 The Man Who Ran Faster Than Everyone 2002
21 Hockey Dynasties 2002
22 The Annex 2004
23 A Brilliant and Appalling Life 2005
24 Learned Friends 2005
25 Silent in An Evil Time 2007
26 The War to End All Wars 2009
27 Oscar Peterson 2012
28 Ross Mackay, The Saga of a Brilliant Criminal Lawyer 2020