Bringing together academics from Romania, the USA, Spain and Turkey, this volume follows the evolution of detective fiction, from its early forms during the late eighteenth century until its contemporary multi-media expressions. Tackling the best-known authors in the genre, as well as marginal, forgotten or eccentric names, and discussing prose which fits perfectly in the pattern of the genre or texts which have been conventionally associated with other genres, as well as films, the book explores the impact of whodunits in both highbrow and popular culture.

This topical study examines the 'novelizations' of radical literary theory in the work of A.S. Byatt, Angela Carter, Umberto Eco, John Fowles, Richard Powers and many other leading novelists. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the 'post-theoretical novel', and traces an alternative history of the 'theory revolution' in recent literary fiction.

Better than a police academy course, all 80 of these simple stories show one how to find the culprit while everyone else is confused. As readers explore these fascinating whodunits, they enter a bizarre, glamorous, and dangerous world of mobsters, millionaires, and heiresses--and detectives. 102 illustrations.

The detective story--the classic whodunit with its time-displacement structure of crime--according to most literary historians, is of relatively recent origin. Early in its development, the whodunit was harshly criticized for its tightly formula-bound structure. Many critics prematurely proclaimed "the death of the whodunit" and even of detective fiction altogether. Yet today, the genre is alive, as contemporary authors have brought it into modern times through a significant integration of elaborate character development and psychology. With the modern psychological detective story emerging from the historical cauldron of detective fiction and early psychology, the genre continues to develop a complexity that reflects and guides the literary sophistication needed. This book, the first of its kind, analyzes over 150 whodunit novels and short stories across the decades, from The Moonstone to the contemporary novels that saved the genre from an ignominious death.

Practising Theory and Reading Literature provides an accessible introduction to the study of contemporary literary theories and their applications to a range of literary texts. This is an elementary introduction where the emphasis is on practice, and in this respect it complements A Reader's Guide to Contemporary Literary Theory.

Louis Tracy's 'MURDER MYSTERY Boxed Set: 14 Books Collection' offers readers the thrill of delving into the world of classic detective fiction. Tracy's writing style is characterized by tightly-woven plots, intricate clues, and unexpected twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Set in a variety of exotic locations and time periods, each book in this collection presents a unique murder mystery to solve, showcasing Tracy's skill at creating engaging and complex narratives within the genre of mystery fiction. Fans of classic detective stories will certainly appreciate the nostalgic charm and timeless appeal of Tracy's work. Louis Tracy, a prolific British writer known for his detective fiction, drew inspiration from his own experiences as a journalist and traveler to craft the captivating mysteries found in this collection. With a keen eye for detail and a talent for storytelling, Tracy became a respected figure in the realm of mystery literature, influencing generations of writers to come. I highly recommend Louis Tracy's 'MURDER MYSTERY Boxed Set: 14 Books Collection' to fans of classic detective fiction and anyone looking for an engaging and well-crafted read. Tracy's timeless stories continue to captivate readers with their clever plots and intriguing characters, making this collection a must-have for mystery enthusiasts.

Who populates the pages of crime and mystery writing? Who are the characters we willingly follow into the mystery genre's uneasy imaginative territory? And who created those characters in the first place? What life experience and expertise informs their work? What are the sources of their themes, regional accents, and even the axes that some grind? Why do some wish to give us a good laugh, while others seem hell-bent on making us shudder? Whodunit? answers these questions and more. Here mystery expert Rosemary Herbert brings together enlightening and entertaining information on hundreds of classic and contemporary characters and authors. Some--such as P.D. James, Ian Rankin, Sherlock Holmes, and Kinsey Millhone--appear in individual entries. Still more keep company in articles about characters we admire, such as the Clerical Sleuth, and in pieces about those we love to hate, including the Femme Fatale and Con Artist. There is even an article on a figure that haunts so many great works of mystery--The Corpse. Drawing on the Edgar Award-nominated volume The Oxford Companion to Crime & Mystery Writing, Herbert adds 101 new entries on the hottest new names in works ranging from puzzling whodunits to chilling crime novels.

Would you like to serve on jury and decide whether someone accused of a crime is guilty or not? Who doesn't love a twisty mystery--a locked room, a seemingly impossible crime, a pivotal piece of evidence that seems to make no sense. Here are 15 diabolically clever crimes that made the author smile and say, "You'll never untangle this one"; but you'll want to keep looking till you find the simple twist that lets you sneer and reply, "I fooled you!" These little murders and other crimes hark back to old-fashioned whodunits--you don't need special police knowledge or have to engage in chases and fights. There's not even a complicated logic involved, just good use of your imagination. 96 pages, 12 b/w illus., 5 3/8 x 8 1/4.

Actress by day, detective by night. See how a small-town girl balances a double life in Hollywood this four-book cozy mystery box set. “The characters are hilarious and very engaging. A good read as this series just gets stronger and stronger.” Book 1: Prime Time Murder Becky always imagined rubbing elbows with movie stars when she moved to L.A. to chase her dream. What she didn’t predict was being linked to a Hollywood hunk accused of murder. Book 2: Stand-In Murder A house sitter is found dead in a ritzy California mansion and the police are eager to sweep her suicide under the rug. But when amateur sleuth Becky Robinson notices inconsistencies at the crime scene, she makes it her mission to prove murder. Book 3: Music City Murder In a family of overachievers, it’s difficult to measure up. Especially if you’re a no-name actress desperate for approval. So, when Becky Robinson’s country music star cousin is accused of murder, she jumps at the chance to travel to Nashville, save the day, and prove her place in the family. Book 4: Trap Door Murder All Becky Robinson wants is a quiet night in Las Vegas with her ex-boyfriend. Not a lot to ask. But when a magician ends up dead in the middle of his show, it’s up to her and her team to solve the murder. If you love clumsy heroines, a Hollywood backdrop, quirky suspects, and an adorable rescue puppy, this four-book collection is for you! ----------------- Keywords: cozy mystery, cozy mystery series, murder mystery, animal mysteries, dog mysteries, female sleuth mysteries, amateur sleuth mysteries, clean mysteries, mysteries with humor, funny cozy mystery, whodunit cozy mysteries, murder, Los Angles, Hollywood, actress, pop culture references, witty dialog, quirky characters, friendship, Jack Russell terrier, chasing your dream, box set, collection, omnibus, anthology