2018 Macavity Award winner for Best Nonfiction
2018 Anthony Award nominee for Best Critical/Nonfiction Book
This book tells the story of crime fiction published during the first
half of the twentieth century. The diversity of this much-loved genre is
breathtaking, and so much greater than many critics have suggested. To
illustrate this, the leading expert on classic crime discusses one
hundred books ranging from The Hound of the Baskervilles to Strangers
on a Train which highlight the entertaining plots, the literary
achievements, and the social significance of vintage crime fiction. This
book serves as a companion to the acclaimed British Library Crime
Classics series but it tells a very diverse story. It presents the
development of crime fiction--from Sherlock Holmes to the end of the
golden age--in an accessible, informative and engaging style.
Readers who enjoy classic crime will make fascinating discoveries and
learn about forgotten gems as well as bestselling authors. Even the most
widely read connoisseurs will find books (and trivia) with which they
are unfamiliar--as well as unexpected choices to debate. Classic crime
is a richly varied and deeply pleasurable genre that is enjoying a
world-wide renaissance as dozens of neglected novels and stories are
resurrected for modern readers to enjoy. The overriding aim of this book
is to provide a launch point that enables readers to embark on their own
voyages of discovery.
