The Ethnic Detectives: Masterpieces of Mystery Fiction

by Bill Pronzini (Editor), Martin H. Greenberg (Editor)

Contents:
Introduction --
The coffins of the Emperor / Robert van Gulik --
A star for a warrior / Manly Wade Wellman --
The case of the emerald sky / Eric Ambler --
The black sampan / Raoul Whitfield --
Mom makes a wish / James Yaffe --
Inspector Ghte and the test match / H.R.F. Keating --
The most obstinate man in Paris / Georges Simenon --
The hair of the widow / Robert Somerlott --
White water / W. Ryerson Johnson --
Inspector Saito's small satori / Janwillem van de Wetering --
One for Virgil Tibbs / John Ball --
The luck of a gypsy / Edward D. Hoch --
Godlfish / Hayford Peirce --
The witch, Yazzie, and the nine of clubs / Tony Hillerman --
The beer drinkers / Josh Pachter --
The Sanchez sacraments / Marcia Muller --
"J" / Ed McBain.

360 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Mystery Writers of America Awards "Grand Master" 2008
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1999) for Boobytrap
Edgar Awards Best Novel nominee (1998) for A Wasteland of Strangers
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) for Sentinels
Shamus Awards "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) 1987
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1982) for Hoodwink

Married to author Marcia Muller.

Pseudonyms:
Robert Hart Davis (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Jack Foxx
William Jeffrey (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Alex Saxon

Reviews

[Marian Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book came out in the 1980's I think, and my mother and I were like, "ExCUSE me?" every time one of the authors talked about an old man or woman of 50. But that isn't why we didn't like it much. Some of the stories were outstanding (Tony Hillerman, Ed McBain), but some were obviously written by men (all by men) who saw their protagonists as Ethnic, not as Detectives.

[Harron68 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. Stories are a mixed bag, but preceding info about ethnic writers provides great sources for more of the same. The stories are as old as 1940, so the age shows. Still, it doesn't detract much. With 17 tales, one can be selective, try unusual situations and just enjoy. The editors, Bill Pronzini and the late, great Martin Greenberg are reliable masters at picking out interesting and little known authors and writing. Tho I give it just 3 stars, it's a valuable insight into the variety of the detective genre.