Scene of the Crime: The Importance of Place in Crime and Mystery Fiction

by David Geherin

Overview

Offering analysis of the fiction of 15 authors for whom the setting greatly contributes to their overall literary style, this book focuses on the many ways that "place" figures in modern crime and mystery novels.

The authors (and their settings) are: Georges Simenon (Paris), Donna Leon (Venice), Tony Hillerman (American Southwest), Walter Mosley (South Central Los Angeles), George P. Pelecanos (Washington, D.C.), Sara Paretsky (Chicago), James Lee Burke (Southern Louisiana), Carl Hiaasen (South Florida), Ian Rankin (Edinburgh), Alexander McCall Smith (Botswana), James McClure (South Africa), Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo (Stockholm), Paco Ignacio Taibo II (Mexico City), Leonardo Sciascia (Sicily) and Lindsey Davis (Ancient Rome).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786432981
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	03/10/2008
Pages:	223
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

David Geherin, a professor emeritus of English at Eastern Michigan University, is the author of ten books on crime fiction, two of which were finalists for the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Allan Poe Award. He lives in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface     
Introduction The Importance of Place in Fiction     

1. Georges Simenon Paris     
2. Donna Leon Venice     
3. Tony Hillerman The American Southwest     
4. Walter Mosley South Central Los Angeles     
5. George P. Pelecanos Washington, D.C.     
6. Sara Paretsky Chicago     
7. James Lee Burke Southern Louisiana     
8. Carl Hiaasen South Florida     
9. Ian Rankin Edinburgh     
10. Alexander McCall Smith Botswana     
11. James McClure South Africa     
12. Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö Stockholm     
13. Paco Ignacio Taibo II Mexico City     
14. Leonardo Sciascia Sicily     
15. Lindsey Davis Ancient Rome     

Works Consulted197
Index     

Editorial Reviews

one of the best academic writers on crime fiction for more than a quarter-century...the author does the expected solid job”—Mystery Scene.

From the Publisher

one of the best academic writers on crime fiction for more than a quarter-century...the author does the expected solid job

Mystery Scene