The Origins of the American Detective Story - Softcover

Panek, LeRoy Lad

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0786427760 ISBN 13: 9780786427765

Publisher: McFarland, 2006

Synopsis

Edgar Allan Poe essentially invented the detective story in 1841 with Murders in the Rue Morgue. In the years that followed, however, detective fiction in America saw no significant progress as a literary genre. Much to the dismay of moral crusaders like Anthony Comstock, dime novels and other sensationalist publications satisfied the public's hunger for a yarn.

Things changed as the century waned, and eventually the detective was reborn as a figure of American literature. In part these changes were due to a combination of social conditions, including the rise and decline of the police as an institution; the parallel development of private detectives; the birth of the crusading newspaper reporter; and the beginnings of forensic science. Influential, too, was the new role model offered by a wildly popular British import named Sherlock Holmes.

Focusing on the late 19th century and early 20th, this volume covers the formative years of American detective fiction.

About this title

About the Author:

LeRoy Lad Panek, professor emeritus of English at McDaniel College, is an award-winning author of a number of books about detective fiction. He lives in Westminster, Maryland.

Review:

"Thorough...impressive. This volume offers an examination of the genre offered in no other study. Recommended." --Choice

"Critical...sure to fascinate passionate detective story enthusiasts." --Midwest Book Review

"In-depth information...a wealth of knowledge." --Against the Grain

About this edition

• Publisher: McFarland
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0786427760
• ISBN 13: 9780786427765
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 227