By a Woman's Hand: A Guide to Mystery Fiction by Women [Paperback]

J. Swanson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996

"By a Woman's Hand" is the only book of its kind - an informative guide to today's women writers of mystery and suspense fiction.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Mysteries written by women have always been an important part of the genre and have constituted a growing trend over the past several years. This book provides information on more than 200 women writers. The editors state that they took 1977 as their starting date because that was the year of the publication of Marcia Muller's first Sharon McCone mystery, Edwin of the Iron Shoes, which is "often considered to have ushered in the era of the modern private eye." Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, and others from the "Golden Age" of mystery are not included. Among the newer writers who can be found here are Linda Barnes, Sarah Caudwell, Elizabeth George, Joan Hess, Lia Matera, and Sharon McCrumb. Coverage is given to writers of suspense, such as Mary Stewart, Phyllis Whitney, and Mary Higgins Clark; but not to writers of espionage, such as Evelyn Anthony and Helen MacInnes. Emphasis is on American, Canadian, and British writers who have published at least three books.

Entries are arranged alphabetically by author. There are separate entries for writers that produce under more than one name, for example, Ruth Rendell and Barbara Vine. For each writer, a brief essay gives information about style, series characters, and other significant features. Mentioned in entries are initial books in a series, award winners, and other important titles. Each entry refers readers to "read-alikes"; for example, in the entry on Dorothy Cannell, the editors state that "comedy-mysteries by Elizabeth Peters, Charlotte MacLeod, and Joan Hess also may be fun for readers of Cannell." This feature makes the work similar to What Do I Read Next? The volume concludes with a number of indexes: by series character, by place, and by type of detective, such as amateurs, clergy, and cooks. There is also a list of short story anthologies by women mystery writers.

There are now so many reference works on mystery fiction available that a new one has to provide something unique. By a Woman's Hand is the only one devoted exclusively to women writers. It is not intended as a bibliographic guide and so will need to be supplemented by other works for a more complete picture of a writer's output. (It may be difficult to find additional information, however, on some of the newer writers found here.) The lack of bibliographic information limits this work's use as a research tool, but other features, such as the recommendations about similar authors and titles, make it an extremely useful readers' advisory aid. Recommended for public libraries that serve avid mystery fans. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade; 2nd edition (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425154726
• ISBN-13: 978-0425154724
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,446,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mystery fan's must-have resource, April 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: By a Woman's Hand: A Guide to Mystery Fiction by Women (Paperback)

I have completely lost count of how many wonderful new authors I have discovered through this reference book. I love the fact that the authors don't give their opinions of each writer, instead leaving the reader to decide for themselves what themes and styles appeal to her. Very helpful, too, that they give the order of the first few of the authors works. A very worthwhile purchase!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource!, May 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: By a Woman's Hand: A Guide to Mystery Fiction by Women (Paperback)

Very helpful reference if you want to branch out and try new mystery authors (women). Books are cross-indexed by locale of story, type of sleuth, etc. (E.G. if you like mysteries that take place, say, in the South, or if you like lawyer-sleuths, you can check the indexes in the back.)Also, the blurb on your favorite author gives suggestions as to similar authors you may not have read yet. Superb if you're not surrounded by friends who don't like mysteries who can recommend their faves.