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Great Detectives: Seven Original Investigations
Whatever did happen to Sherlock Holmes?
Was Marlowe no more than a figment of Chandler’s imagination, or was he really his alter ego?
Why did Simenon gloss over those details of Maigret’s private life?
Readers of the detective story have puzzled for decades over these and other intriguing questions about their heroes—and heroines. Now Julian Symons, himself a master crime writer, suggests some of the answers in the form of amusing and revealing incidents in the lives of the world’s most famous detectives, together with some hitherto undocumented case histories. With him we walk the roads and lanes of St Mary Mead in the company of its vicar, learning many fascinating details of Miss Marple’s past. We quiz Archie Goodwin in his den and gain a clue to the ultimate fate of Nero Wolfe. We disentangle the facts of Poirot’s career from the rumors, and uncover the history of Ellery Queen.
While the stealthiest detective buff will find this new information essential reading, the newcomer will simply be delighted by this introduction to the worlds of The Great Detectives.
(Publisher’s description)
Contents: How a hermit was disturbed in his retirement — About Miss Marple and St Mary Mead — In which Archie Goodwin remembers — Which expounds the Ellery Queens mystery — About Maigret and the stolen papers — The life of Hercule Poirot : based on the notes of Captain Arthur Hastings — About the birth of Philip Marlowe
Was Marlowe no more than a figment of Chandler’s imagination, or was he really his alter ego?
Why did Simenon gloss over those details of Maigret’s private life?
Readers of the detective story have puzzled for decades over these and other intriguing questions about their heroes—and heroines. Now Julian Symons, himself a master crime writer, suggests some of the answers in the form of amusing and revealing incidents in the lives of the world’s most famous detectives, together with some hitherto undocumented case histories. With him we walk the roads and lanes of St Mary Mead in the company of its vicar, learning many fascinating details of Miss Marple’s past. We quiz Archie Goodwin in his den and gain a clue to the ultimate fate of Nero Wolfe. We disentangle the facts of Poirot’s career from the rumors, and uncover the history of Ellery Queen.
While the stealthiest detective buff will find this new information essential reading, the newcomer will simply be delighted by this introduction to the worlds of The Great Detectives.
(Publisher’s description)
Contents: How a hermit was disturbed in his retirement — About Miss Marple and St Mary Mead — In which Archie Goodwin remembers — Which expounds the Ellery Queens mystery — About Maigret and the stolen papers — The life of Hercule Poirot : based on the notes of Captain Arthur Hastings — About the birth of Philip Marlowe
- GenresMysteryShort Stories
143 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1981
About the author
Julian Symons
245 books70 followersJulian Gustave Symons is primarily remembered as a master of the art of crime writing. However, in his eighty-two years he produced an enormously varied body of work. Social and military history, biography and criticism were all subjects he touched upon with remarkable success, and he held a distinguished reputation in each field.
His novels were consistently highly individual and expertly crafted, raising him above other crime writers of his day. It is for this that he was awarded various prizes, and, in 1982, named as Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America - an honour accorded to only three other English writers before him: Graham Greene, Eric Ambler and Daphne Du Maurier. He succeeded Agatha Christie as the president of Britain's Detection Club, a position he held from 1976 to 1985, and in 1990 he was awarded the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the British Crime Writer.
Symons held a number of positions prior to becoming a full-time writer including secretary to an engineering company and advertising copywriter and executive. It was after the end of World War II that he became a free-lance writer and book reviewer and from 1946 to 1956 he wrote a weekly column entitled "Life, People - and Books" for the Manchester Evening News. During the 1950s he was also a regular contributor to Tribune, a left-wing weekly, serving as its literary editor.
He founded and edited 'Twentieth Century Verse', an important little magazine that flourished from 1937 to 1939 and he introduced many young English poets to the public. He has also published two volumes of his own poetry entitled 'Confusions about X', 1939, and 'The Second Man', 1944.
He wrote hie first detective novel, 'The Immaterial Murder Case', long before it was first published in 1945 and this was followed in 1947 by a rare volume entitled 'A Man Called Jones' that features for the first time Inspector Bland, who also appeared in Bland Beginning.
These novles were followed by a whole host of detective novels and he has also written many short stories that were regularly published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. In additin there are two British paperback collections of his short stories, Murder! Murder! and Francis Quarles Investigates, which were published in 1961 and 1965 resepctively.
His novels were consistently highly individual and expertly crafted, raising him above other crime writers of his day. It is for this that he was awarded various prizes, and, in 1982, named as Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America - an honour accorded to only three other English writers before him: Graham Greene, Eric Ambler and Daphne Du Maurier. He succeeded Agatha Christie as the president of Britain's Detection Club, a position he held from 1976 to 1985, and in 1990 he was awarded the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the British Crime Writer.
Symons held a number of positions prior to becoming a full-time writer including secretary to an engineering company and advertising copywriter and executive. It was after the end of World War II that he became a free-lance writer and book reviewer and from 1946 to 1956 he wrote a weekly column entitled "Life, People - and Books" for the Manchester Evening News. During the 1950s he was also a regular contributor to Tribune, a left-wing weekly, serving as its literary editor.
He founded and edited 'Twentieth Century Verse', an important little magazine that flourished from 1937 to 1939 and he introduced many young English poets to the public. He has also published two volumes of his own poetry entitled 'Confusions about X', 1939, and 'The Second Man', 1944.
He wrote hie first detective novel, 'The Immaterial Murder Case', long before it was first published in 1945 and this was followed in 1947 by a rare volume entitled 'A Man Called Jones' that features for the first time Inspector Bland, who also appeared in Bland Beginning.
These novles were followed by a whole host of detective novels and he has also written many short stories that were regularly published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. In additin there are two British paperback collections of his short stories, Murder! Murder! and Francis Quarles Investigates, which were published in 1961 and 1965 resepctively.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 2, 2021
I've had this book for some time so decided it was about time that I read it. It was okay. The Sherlock Holmes story, with which the book opened, was undoubtedly the best of the lot. I found the others rather disappointing but it was interesting to read this fictionalised account of the famous detectives.
May 25, 2011
***REVIEW INCOMPLETE***
GREAT DETECTIVES, Julian Symons, 1981
subtitled: "Seven Investigations", illustrated by Tom Adams
[illustrated short story/article anthology - A/4.5]
A beautifully illustrated, large-sized book filled with stories and/or articles about seven of the most famous fictional detectives as per Julian Symons, with the help of illustrator Tom Adams. many beautiful pictures, and one long story or article each concerning Miss Jane Marple, Sherlock Holmes, Philip Marlowe, Ellery Queen, Inspector Maigret, Hercule Poirot, and Nero Wolfe. Snappy writing, great pix.
1. Sherlock Holmes: "How a Hermit was Disturbed in his Retirement"
— a young lady seeks his help - shades of Laurie King! -
2. Miss Jane Marple: "About Miss Marple and St. Mary Mead"
— Miss Jane remembered, by the vicar, a nice "stroll" through the village reminiscing
3. Nero Wolfe: "In which Archie Goodwin Remembers"
—
4. Ellery Queen: "Which Expounds the Ellery Queens Mystery"
—
5. Inspector Maigret: "About Maigret and the Stolen Papers"
—
6. Hercule Poirot: "The Life of Hercule Poirot - based on the notes of Captain Arthur Hastings"
—
7. Philip Marlowe: "About the Birth of Philip Marlowe"
—
Also includes "Notes to the Investigations" - the articles are heavily footnoted and carefully referenced; and includes complete bibliographies for each detective as of 1981. A very thoughtful - and funny - compilations of varying styles and methods of both writing and detection. Tour de force.
2011
GREAT DETECTIVES, Julian Symons, 1981
subtitled: "Seven Investigations", illustrated by Tom Adams
[illustrated short story/article anthology - A/4.5]
A beautifully illustrated, large-sized book filled with stories and/or articles about seven of the most famous fictional detectives as per Julian Symons, with the help of illustrator Tom Adams. many beautiful pictures, and one long story or article each concerning Miss Jane Marple, Sherlock Holmes, Philip Marlowe, Ellery Queen, Inspector Maigret, Hercule Poirot, and Nero Wolfe. Snappy writing, great pix.
1. Sherlock Holmes: "How a Hermit was Disturbed in his Retirement"
— a young lady seeks his help - shades of Laurie King! -
2. Miss Jane Marple: "About Miss Marple and St. Mary Mead"
— Miss Jane remembered, by the vicar, a nice "stroll" through the village reminiscing
3. Nero Wolfe: "In which Archie Goodwin Remembers"
—
4. Ellery Queen: "Which Expounds the Ellery Queens Mystery"
—
5. Inspector Maigret: "About Maigret and the Stolen Papers"
—
6. Hercule Poirot: "The Life of Hercule Poirot - based on the notes of Captain Arthur Hastings"
—
7. Philip Marlowe: "About the Birth of Philip Marlowe"
—
Also includes "Notes to the Investigations" - the articles are heavily footnoted and carefully referenced; and includes complete bibliographies for each detective as of 1981. A very thoughtful - and funny - compilations of varying styles and methods of both writing and detection. Tour de force.
2011
January 21, 2016
The title is misleading -- there really are only two investigations. The others are merely fake bios and conjectures of famous fictional sleuths. Extensive bibliography -- but superfluous for fans of these detectives since you really have to be deeply into them in order to figure out what's going on. The Nero Wolfe was especially disappointing since it teased but did not deliver. I liked the Sherlock Holmes and Maigret stories, though.
But the main reason I gave this two stars is are the wonderful illustrations. How good are they? Two pages are ripped out of the Marlowe section in my Library book (I did NOT do it.) So someone found it worth stealing. I especailly appreciated the Sherlock Holmes illustrations, since they were affectionately based on Sidney Paget's.
But the main reason I gave this two stars is are the wonderful illustrations. How good are they? Two pages are ripped out of the Marlowe section in my Library book (I did NOT do it.) So someone found it worth stealing. I especailly appreciated the Sherlock Holmes illustrations, since they were affectionately based on Sidney Paget's.
January 11, 2017
This book is for those of us who love the Great Detectives of the past. The author uses the device of interviewing the detectives or their sidekicks and then throws in, for good measure, a pastiche of the writer. He does an excellent job. If you enjoy Golden Age detectives this is the book for you. I just wish there had been a volume two.
June 30, 2012
I really enjoyed the way Julian Symons managed to treat these detectives from fiction as though they were real. Illustrations are also execellent.
I had read many of these detectives. This book may me want to read some of the ones that I hadn't.
I had read many of these detectives. This book may me want to read some of the ones that I hadn't.
May 17, 2014
Loved this.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews