Using AI to help me find a book

[Carol/Bonadie]

I've been casting about for a book to satisfy the Determination List Challenge: "read a book written before you were born." Well of course there are a ton, but I wanted an award winning mystery. I asked the AI application ChatGPT the following question:

"list award winning mystery novels published before [my birth year] in reverse chronological order."

Here's what it returned:


Certainly! Here's a list of award-winning mystery novels published before [Carol's birth year], arranged in reverse chronological order:

"The Daughter of Time" by Josephine Tey (1951)
Award: The Crime Writers' Association named it the greatest mystery novel of all time in 1990.

"The Moving Toyshop" by Edmund Crispin (1946)
Award: Received the Crossed Red Herring Award in 1947.

"Green for Danger" by Christianna Brand (1944)
Award: Winner of the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière in 1947.

"The Hollow Man" (U.S. title: "The Three Coffins") by John Dickson Carr (1935)
Award: Received the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 1936.

"Murder in the Cathedral" by T.S. Eliot (1935)
Award: Although a play, it won the Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play in 1936.

"The Nine Tailors" by Dorothy L. Sayers (1934)
Award: Received the Crime Writers' Association's award for the Best Crime Novel of the Year in 1934.

"The Roman Hat Mystery" by Ellery Queen (1929)
Award: Winner of the inaugural Edgar Award for Best First Novel in 1946.

"The Benson Murder Case" by S.S. Van Dine (1926)
Award: While not receiving an award, it is considered influential in the genre.

"The Mystery of Dr. Fu-Manchu" by Sax Rohmer (1913)
Award: Recognized as a foundational work in the mystery genre.

These novels showcase some of the finest examples of mystery writing from the early to mid-20th century, many of which have left a lasting impact on the genre.

I was surprised that I was unfamiliar with most of these titles. I know of Sayers and Queen, as mystery writers of course, also Tey, Crispin and Carr but curious as to comments on the rest.

I was also surprised not to find an Agatha Christie on the list.

It occurs to me a different question (focused on authors) would also net good, maybe better results. Off to do that now.

[Carol/Bonadie]

Okay, here's the results of the author question. ChatGPT changed up my question a little, but close enough.

"List popular mystery authors who published before [Carol's birth year], in reverse chronological order."

Certainly! Here's a list of popular mystery authors who were active before [Carol's birth year], arranged in reverse chronological order based on their birth year:

Agatha Christie (1890-1976)
Known for iconic detectives such as Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Notable works include "Murder on the Orient Express" (1934) and "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" (1926).

Dorothy L. Sayers (1893-1957)
Creator of Lord Peter Wimsey, known for novels like "Strong Poison" (1930) and "Gaudy Night" (1935).

Raymond Chandler (1888-1959)
Renowned for hard-boiled detective fiction featuring Philip Marlowe, including "The Big Sleep" (1939) and "Farewell, My Lovely" (1940).

Dashiell Hammett (1894-1961)
Pioneer of hard-boiled detective fiction with novels such as "The Maltese Falcon" (1930) and "The Thin Man" (1934).

Erle Stanley Gardner (1889-1970)
Creator of Perry Mason, known for legal thrillers like "The Case of the Velvet Claws" (1933) and "The Case of the Howling Dog" (1934).

John Dickson Carr (1906-1977)
Master of the locked-room mystery and creator of Dr. Gideon Fell and Sir Henry Merrivale, known for works like "The Hollow Man" (1935) and "The Three Coffins" (1935).

Josephine Tey (1896-1952)
Author of classic mysteries such as "The Daughter of Time" (1951) and "Brat Farrar" (1949).

Ellery Queen (Frederic Dannay and Manfred B. Lee) (1905-1982, 1905-1971)
Writing duo known for creating the detective Ellery Queen and for novels like "The Roman Hat Mystery" (1929) and "The French Powder Mystery" (1930).

S.S. Van Dine (Willard Huntington Wright) (1888-1939)
Creator of detective Philo Vance, known for novels such as "The Benson Murder Case" (1926) and "The Canary Murder Case" (1927).

These authors represent some of the most influential and popular figures in mystery fiction from the early to mid-20th century, each contributing uniquely to the genre's development and popularity.

[GailW]

And as I’m reading the chat response, Alexa’s voice immediately popped up in my head! I did laugh when I saw you redacted your birth year. 😁

[Carol/Bonadie]

LOL. I'm not particularly sensitive about my age but I do pause when putting private information in public posts. Probably a lost cause but it makes me feel better.

Gail W wrote: "And as I’m reading the chat response, Alexa’s voice immediately popped up in my head! I did laugh when I saw you redacted your birth year. 😁"

[Ann]

Very interesting Carol! thanks for sharing. I also need to fulfill that "before born" slot on my determination list - I can potentially use your ChatGPT suggestions. The inclusion of the award-winning book adds to the exclusivity. I wonder if "award nominated" would expand it like a search for that sort of list last year would

[Ann]

LOL Carol: you can't read the Josephine Tey book (it's number 5 is a series!) The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey Book one was from 1929. The Man in the Queue :)

[Gflyy]

What a great idea. I've been wanting to read an Agatha Christie book and how can you say, "No" to the greatest mystery novel of all time as dubbed by The Crime Writer's Association?? :)

[Carol/Bonadie]

Ann wrote: "LOL Carol: you can't read the Josephine Tey book (it's number 5 is a series!) The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey Book one was from 1929. The Man in the Queue.

LOL I hadn't gotten that far, Ann. I'll check out The Man in the Queue If it's available at my library.