This is a history of the development of detective fiction with illustrations of favourite scenes, characters and international editions of the books. Throughout, special features add enlightenment, classic puzzles are analyzed and women private eyes are celebrated. The afterlife of popular characters is revealed and the "Ten Commandments" for the detective story 1920s-style are defined. Bean-shooters, gats, heats, heaters, rods and roscoes are all explained in the dictionary. A world round-up of current crime novels testifies to the continuing appeal of the genre in its many forms.
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
In France, it's a "polar," in Germany a "Krimi." The mystery novel is sometimes defined as paraliterature, but here it receives serious treatment. Ousby (editor of Cambridge Guide to Literature in English, Cambridge Univ., 1994) chronicles the international development of the crime and detective story from its origins to the current state of the art, covering authors from Europe to South Africa. With a well-rounded blend of critical analysis and goodies for the mystery fan, he examines hard-boiled detectives, pulp fiction, female private eyes, and other elements of the crime novel. A film noir filmography, awards lists, chronologies, maps, and glossaries are scattered throughout. Deadly Women is a random compilation of individual essays and interviews with prominent female mystery authors like Nancy Pickard and Janet Evanovich. The articles range from historical accounts of founding ladies like Honey West, the "sexiest private eye ever to pull a trigger," to a discussion of the trials and tribulations of writing a novel and getting it published. Less of an "indispensable companion" than a fireside chat with favorite authors, Grape's work will appeal to budding mystery writers and fans. Ousby's book is recommended for public and academic libraries needing a world overview of the genre for both circulating and reference collections, while Grape's work will circulate in public collections where mysteries are popular.?Kelli N. Perkins, Herrick P.L., Holland, Mich.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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