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In the Beginning: First Novels in Mystery Series
This volume contains fourteen essays by authoritative academics studying the field of mystery and detective fiction. The essays all concentrate on the first novels in established series, analyzing ways in which the opening books of the series do or do not create patterns followed in succeeding novels.
234 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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Did not finish
November 19, 2016Slightly mixed feelings about this one. It's a series of essays which at times seem to be somewhat thinly researched - for instance, the essay about Rex Stout which claims in passing that there were no significant fictional women sleuths in the 1930s, which is just not true. What about Patricia Wentworth's Miss Silver and Gladys Mitchell's Mrs Bradley, for starters?
However, that clanger aside, the article about Rex Stout is actually very good, looking at how Wolfe and Archie work together and their different literary heritage, and how complete the characters are in the first book.
I've read the chapters which deal with books I've read, but am now abandoning this for the time being until I read more of the novels it covers.
However, that clanger aside, the article about Rex Stout is actually very good, looking at how Wolfe and Archie work together and their different literary heritage, and how complete the characters are in the first book.
I've read the chapters which deal with books I've read, but am now abandoning this for the time being until I read more of the novels it covers.
Displaying 1 of 1 review