Stephen Knight's fascinating book is a comprehensive analytic survey of crime fiction from its origins in the nineteenth century to the present day. Knight explains how and why the various forms of the genre have evolved, explores a range of authors and movements, and argues that the genre as a whole has three parts--the early development of Detection, the growing emphasis on Death, and the modern celebration of Diversity. The expanded second edition has been thoroughly updated in the light of recent research and new developments, such as ethnic crime fiction, the rise of thrillers in the serial-killer and urban collapse modes, and feel-good 'cozies'. It also explores a number of fictional works which have been published in the last few years and features a helpful glossary. With full references, and written in a highly engaging style, this remains the essential short guide for readers of crime fiction everywhere. --From cover.
Previous ed.: published as Crime fiction, 1800-2000. 2004.
Bibliography (note)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Processing Action (note)
committed to retain
Contents
Beginning detection. Before detection ; Enter the detective ; Realistic police ; Edgar Allan Poe's initiative -- Developing detection. Early English detection ; Sensation ; Gaboriau and the 1870s-1990s ; Detective apotheosis : Sherlock Holmes -- After Sherlock Holmes. Enter death ; Scientific detectives ; Ironic anti-heroes ; Low-level detection ; Women on the case -- Forming the clue-puzzle. Had they but known ; How golden was the age? ; Golden royalty : Agatha Christie ; American gold ; English variations ; Supporting cast ; Themes and explanations -- American versions. Origins and attitudes ; Hammett's initiative ; Chandler's variation ; Other American crime writers ; The crime novelists ; The 'Tough Guy' abroad -- Continuity and diversity. After the 'Golden Age' in Britain ; The private eye modernised ; Other continuities ; The psychothriller ; Police procedurals -- Diversifying gender. Towards feminist detection ; Feminist detection in America ; Feminist detection around the world ; The lesbian detective ; Male gay detection -- Diversifying race and ethnicity. Black male detection ; Black female detection ; Other ethnicities -- Diversity : postmodernity, body, city. Postmodern crime fiction ; Generic violence to city and body ; Urban collapse ; Serial killers.