Detective

[close] Started somewhat as a reaction to the British cozy mystery of the Agatha Christie style (think Murder She Wrote), there came a demand for something more real, action where the stakes were higher, the participants (good and bad) sleazier, the police on the take, the ladies fatal for any would-be patsy. Thus was born, largely in the 1920s, and often in the pulps (foremost among them Black Mask), the American answer to Sherlock Holmes, the genre that in turn became the basis for the film noir revolution of the 1940s. Our original big three writers in this genre are Dashiel Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and James M. Cain. This modest beginning spawned an international phenomenon with writers in other countries picking up the tropes, some adhering to original themes, others blending in other genres such as science fiction dystopia or urban fantasy, to craft a new literature known simply as noir. These writers and settings come from communities as diverse and complex as can be found throughout the modern world. Half our focus is on original hardboiled crime fiction, its formation in the middle third of twentieth century United States. The other half is on modern noir throughout the world as it has developed since. Join in on the fun as the outsider champion of justice tries to bring its criminal elements to account, won't you?

[close] This group is dedicated to our newbie goodreads users, to help them learn how to engage in buddy reads and discussions, and geared towards unstructured buddy reads to allow for the most conversation possible. Open to all readers who are interested in thoughtful discussions. No buddy read is too small or too big, and all questions and insights are welcome.

[close] With an emphasis on Noir, and Pulp crime fiction. Please try to avoid true crime for the most part.

[close] We share a passion for action-packed, gripping, exciting, tense thrillers and mysteries, a genre rich with talented authors. We invite you to share your thoughts and opinions, recommend the best books, and engage in a friendly community environment. Our discussions cover a variety of topics and we encourage all members to participate, track their reading count, explore recommendations, and join our 'Book of the Month' feature, with a Q&A with Goodreads Authors.