The Essential Elements of the Detective Story, 1820-1891

by LeRoy Lad Panek, Mary M. Bendel-Simso

Overview

Until recently, only a privileged few could read the rare, early writings that formed the basis of detective fiction in America and made it one of the most popular literary genres of the 19th century. Drawing on the unprecedented access provided by digital collections of period newspapers and magazines, this book examines detective fiction during its formative years, focusing on such crucial elements as setting, lawyers and the law, physicians and forensics, women as victims and heroes, crime and criminals, and police and detectives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476666990
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	03/06/2017
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

The late LeRoy Lad Panek, professor emeritus of English at McDaniel College (and “One of the most readable, prolific, and perceptive academic scholars of mystery fiction”—Mystery Scene and Edgar Award winner), was the author of a number of books about detective fiction. He lived in Westminster, Maryland. Mary M. Bendel-Simso is a professor of English at McDaniel College and lives in Westminster, Maryland.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. Setting
2. Law and Lawyers
3. Physicians and Forensics
4. Women and Detectives
5. Crime and Criminals
6. Detectives and Their Stories
Afterword
Appendix: Women Writers
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

[Panek is] one of the most readable, prolific, and perceptive academic scholars of mystery fiction”—Mystery Scene.

From the Publisher