Medieval Crime Fiction: A Critical Overview

by Anne McKendry

Overview

Combining elements of medievalism, the historical novel and the detective narrative, medieval crime fiction capitalizes upon the appeal of all three--the most famous examples being Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose (one of the best-selling books ever published) and Ellis Peters' endearing Brother Cadfael series.

Hundreds of other novels and series fill out the genre, in settings ranging from the so-called Celtic Enlightenment in seventh-century Ireland to the ruthless Inquisition in fourteenth-century France to the mean streets of medieval London. The detectives are an eclectic group, including weary ex-crusaders, former Knights Templar, enterprising monks and nuns, and historical poets such as Geoffrey Chaucer.

This book investigates the enduring popularity of the largely unexamined genre and explores its social, cultural and political contexts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476636252
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	04/23/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	275
File size:	7 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Anne McKendry is a Research Associate at the University of Melbourne. She has published on medieval literature and medievalist popular culture.
Anne McKendry is a Research Associate at the University of Melbourne. She has published on medieval literature and medievalist popular culture.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments viii
Introduction
One. Genres and Origins
Two. Soiled Knights and Medieval Mean Streets
Three. Divine Ratiocination
Four. An Unsuitable Job for a Medieval Woman
Five. “There are no Jews in England”
Six. Poet or PI?
Conclusion
Appendix: Authors, with Characters and Settings
Chapter Notes
Works Cited
Index

Editorial Reviews

Very useful survey.... Readable style and forthright critical assessments make this a good reference”—Mystery Scene.

From the Publisher