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Talking About Detective Fiction Paperback – May 3, 2011

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P. D. James (Author)
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P. D. James (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 36 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Vintage; Reprint edition (May 3, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0307743136
  • ISBN-13: 978-0307743138
  • Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.4 x 8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #637,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsThis is a marvelous and instructive work by the mistress of detective fiction
By Israel Drazin TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on December 11, 2009
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
Imagine Copernicus explaining astronomy to you, or Einstein teaching you physics, or Moses clarifying difficult biblical passages that confused clergy and prompted discord and even wars. Imagine also that the expert could write clearly, interestingly and with wit, such as Sigmund Freud explaining the principles of psychology with examples from fascinating case studies.

This is what happens with P.D. James marvelous book. James is the queen of modern detective fiction, certainly, without any doubt, one of the royal family.

James states that mystery novels are composed of several basic elements: a crime, usually murder; a small circle of suspects, each having a motive to commit the crime; opportunity; a detective; and a solution that is inserted into the novel with deceptive cunning, but with fairness. The last point means that readers will realize when they hear the detective's solution that the solution fits what was disclosed previously in the novel.

James describes the differences between detective stories, thrillers and horror tales. Each genre has its own elements and its own purposes. A reader who knows the elements and purposes can appreciate the tale better. Detective stories, she writes, do not, or at least should not, investigate a murder or another crime; nor should they dwell on the bizarre happenings; they should focus on the tragic fate of the people involved.

James describes the history of detective fiction and introduces her readers to over a dozen of the best writers, generally focusing on British women. She gives special attention to Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Margery Allingham and Ngaio Marsh. She discusses the strength and weaknesses of these stories, their history, psychology and sociology.Read more ›
10 Comments 57 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
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3.0 out of 5 starsTalking Elegantly but Selectively
By Red Rivere on December 19, 2009
Format: Hardcover
A typically well-written book by James, though it nowhere comes close to replacing Julian Symons' classic "Bloody Murder" as a comprehensive survey of the detective fiction genre, being quite short (almost pamphlet size) and selective in its coverage. A great deal of "Talking About Detective Fiction" is given over to authors from the so-called British Golden Age of detective fiction (roughly 1920 to 1940), particularly the Crime Queens (Christie, Sayers, Allingham, Marsh and sometimes Tey). James touches on some writers who may not be familiar to her readers, like Gladys Mitchell and Cyril Hare, as well as the American hardboiled triumvirate of Hammett, Chandler and Macdonald, but many significant names are left out (such as S. S. Van Dine, Ellery Queen, Anthony Berkeley/Francis Iles, Freeman Wills Crofts and John Dickson Carr), giving a rather narrow picture of the period. Her readers, for example, might come away with the impression that no American wrote traditional puzzles during the Golden Age, or that British women detective novelists outnumbered the men. Neither impression would be accurate.

As one reviewer has noted, James is rather disparaging toward Christie, though this is nothing new for James, who has been rather disparaging toward Christie for decades now. What is new is that James admits rereading some Christie and finding some of her works, like A Murder Is Announced, better than she recalled. One wishes James had gone back and read, say, Five Little Pigs, And Then There Were None, Endless Night or The Hollow; she might have altered her assertion that Christie simply creates pasteboard characters in whom the reader can have no possible interest apart from their contribution to the puzzle.Read more ›
2 Comments 34 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
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5.0 out of 5 starsSprightly and intelligent
By Natalie on December 15, 2009
Format: Hardcover
PD James provides readers with a beautiful survey of significant detective fiction from its beginnings up through contemporary times. Her analysis of the four "grande dames" of the "Golden Age"--Christie, Allingham, Sayers, and Marsh--is deeply intelligent and insightful. Nor does she neglect the hard-boiled American genre or the Oxford dons. While I understand that the intended audience may perhaps be other writers, as a devout reader of detective fiction I was mesmerized by every page. Providing both perceptions about writers I have read and names of new writers for me to try out, this book makes me want to revisit and reread many of the books I've read before.

Brava, Dame James!
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3.0 out of 5 starsEasy, informative read
By Master Cineaster VINE VOICE on March 4, 2010
Format: Hardcover
An interesting but by no means enthralling survey of the genre, with the author's analysis of how and why some authors succeed (eg, the fun of giving a reader a puzzle to solve like Agatha Christie, or Conon Doyle's charming immortal sleuth) and the requisite rules of the game for all writers (eg, clues available to detective and reader simultaneously; no supernatural forces at play; no real investigation into the murderer's mind). The role of the female author in the genre (Christie, Sayers, Tey, etc) is highlighted especially well. As is often the case, a review of the genre holds little excitement next to its best reads, but recommendations abound (though some, like The Moonstone, are duds) and James' style is particularly fluid. Her own output is impressive, though the mysteries are uneven, but it's fun to hear about the shoulders she likes to stand on.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

P.D. James is always interesting

Published 4 months ago by Aileen S Schafer
4.0 out of 5 starsnice study

This little book covers the topic nicely, and is enjoyable to read.

Published 10 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsMysteries galore and glorious

P. D. James proves herself not only a master of detective fiction, but the master of talking about mystery writing and writers in this slim but fascinating volume.

Published 11 months ago by L. Wadley
5.0 out of 5 starsA Must for Mystery Writers

Every aspiring mystery writer can benefit from PD James' insights.

Published 16 months ago by Nanci R
5.0 out of 5 starsMust reading for all who love the genre

A brilliant exploration of the origins, substance and evolution of an ever popular genre. This would be required reading for any attempting to write detective fiction.

Published 18 months ago by Amy
5.0 out of 5 starsDetective's criticism by a detective's writer

I loved reading this book. So wise with so many references to detective's novels. I really recommend it to everyone interested in this theme

Published on March 19, 2014 by AndreaF
4.0 out of 5 starsKey Reading for Mystery Buffs -- By a Mistress of the Genre

A brief history of detective fiction from the beginning (Wilkie Collins) up to the present day. The most interesting chapter is that in which James discusses the structure of a... Read more

Published on December 29, 2013 by Anne Mills
5.0 out of 5 starsAn insider's look at detective fiction

If you needed more proof that great writers are also great readers, this book adds to the evidence. James has written an entertaining survey of the detective fiction she likes, and... Read more

Published on June 10, 2013 by Richard L. Hamilton
5.0 out of 5 starsA good overview

In this very conversational book, James gets the reader to think not only about types of mysteries and authors but also about the basics -- what does it take for a book or story to... Read more

Published on February 20, 2013 by Nancy K. Applegate
4.0 out of 5 starsEscxellent Overview

P.D. James is not only an excellent writer of Detective Fiction but she has covered the whole genre very well and from an excellent point of view. Read more

Published on February 8, 2013 by Donald R. Quayle

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