The Mammoth Encyclopedia of Modern Crime Fiction - Softcover

Mike Ashley

3.73

22 ratings by Goodreads

9781841192871: The Mammoth Encyclopedia of Modern Crime Fiction

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1841192872 ISBN 13: 9781841192871

Publisher: Robinson Publishing, 2002

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A reference and overview of the genre of crime fiction, primarily covering the 1950s onwards, although major earlier writers, such as Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler, also have entries. The general introduction discusses the purpose of the book and also includes a glossary which explains some of the common terms and expressions used, such as "hard boiled", "impossible crime" and "police procedural". A historical introduction relates the background and development of crime fiction from the earliest days through to the modern exponents of the craft. The author A-to-Z covers 500 entries on the major writers in the crime fiction field, from Edward S. Aarons to Mark Zubro. Each entry gives a brief biographical background, highlight the key words, gives a brief bibliography and notes significant films/series adapted from their works. The four appendices at the end of the volume cover key characters, key books and magazines, key films and TV series and awards and award winners, including the Edgar Awards, the Dagger Awards, the Shamus Awards and other important awards.

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About the Author:

Mike Ashley is the author and editor of many Mammoth titles including MBO Locked Room Mysteries and MBO Historical Whodunnits. He lives in Chatham, Kent.

From Library Journal:

Compiled for crime buffs by a veteran of numerous Mammoth titles, this hefty A-to-Z guide profiles 500 modern crime-fiction authors and 300 television series and major films in two sections. In his introduction, Ashley defines crime fiction as the breaking and enforcing of law, limits the scope to the post-World War II era, and outlines the development of the genre. The parameters are broadly designated to encompass, among others, legal thrillers, historical mysteries, suspense and noir, fun and games or puzzle mysteries, traditional cozies or mysteries, and the fiction of private investigators, police detectives, and gangsters and villains. Espionage, spy, supernatural, and horror fiction are excluded. Although the work is comprehensive, it is not all-inclusive, as selection is based on popularity and influence as well as originality and creativity. The entries, organized to provide quick, easy access, vary in length from one-half to one or two pages. Each author entry provides a brief, analytic biography, followed by the standard data: name (with cross references to pennames); birth and death dates; nationality; novels; awards, web sites, and bibliographies, if any; similar writers; and final facts or summary statements. For TV series and film entries, concise synopses follow the year of release, country of origin, length in minutes, and producers, directors, writers, and leading actors. This source does not offer the in-depth criticism provided by Frank N. Magill's Critical Survey of Mystery and Detective Fiction or Hans Bertens's and Theo D'haen's Contemporary American Crime Fiction. Nevertheless, it is an inexpensive resource that offers concise, up-to-date ready-reference data and analysis designed for the purpose of readers' advisory. Recommended for literary collections. Marilyn Rosenthal, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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