Detective as Historian: History and Art in Historical Crime Fiction [Paperback]

The Detective As Historian: History And Art In Historical Crime Fiction is a fascinating and informative compendium of twenty-five essays which analyze and evaluate examples of crime fiction ranging throughout recorded history from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, to medieval Europe, to 19th century England and America. A unique, scholarly, thought provoking, and welcome addition to literary studies in general, and detective story enthusiast's reading lists in particular, The Detective As Historian is a very highly recommended acquisition for both academic and community library collections.

I found this a very enjoyable book, and sometimes gripping book. It was even interesting to read about series that I don't read or don't like, just to read the author's take on the series and the time period. In the most interesting articles, the authors analyze usually one, but sometimes two series in terms of the skill with which the author evokes the historical setting, as well as the quality of writing. There were one or two duds that went off into Foucaultian analysis or the like, but I think that most people who enjoy historical mysteries would enjoy this book. And they might find some new series, as well.

CONTENTS: Preface by Robin W. Winks -- Introduction by Ray B. Browne and Lawrence A. Kreiser, Jr. -- Lynda S. Robinson and Lauren Haney: Detection in the Land of Mysteries by Rita Rippetoe -- John Maddox Roberts and Steven Saylor: Detecting in the Final Decades of the Roman Empire by Terrance L. Lewis -- Lindsey Davis: Falco, Cynical detective in a Corrupt Roman Empire by Peter Hunt -- Peter Tremayne: Sister Fidelma and the Triumph of Truth by Christiane W. Luehrs and Robert B. Luehrs -- Ellis Peters: Brother Cadfael by Edward J. Rielly -- P. C. Doherty: Hugh Corbett, Secret-Agent and Problem-Solver by Edward L. Meek, Theron W. Westervelt, and David N. Eldridge -- Susanna Gregory: Doctor Matthew Bartholomew, Master of Medicine and Detection by Joan Coakley -- Umberto Eco: The Name of the Rose by Judy Ann Ford -- Elizabeth Eyre: Detection in the Italian Renaissance by Jeffrey A. Rydberg-Cox -- Margaret Frazer: Sister Frevisse and Medieval Mysteries by Patricia W. Julius -- Josephine Tey and Others: the Case of Richard III by R. Gordon Kelly -- C. L. Grace: Kathryn Swinbrook, Fifteenth Century Physician and Sleuth by Jean Coakley -- Michael Clynes: the Recollections of Shallot by David N. Eldridge, Theron W. Westervelt, and, Edward L. Meek -- Maan Meyers: the Saga of the Dutchman by Frank A. Salamone -- Bruce Alexander: Sir Henry Fielding and Blind Justice by Donna Bradshaw Smith -- Keith Heller: a genealogy of Detection in the Eighteenth Century by Scott R. Christianson -- Margaret Lawrence: an Eighteenth Century Midwife by Marie Nelson -- Stephanie Barron: (Re)Inventing Jane Austen as Detective by Anita Vickers -- Kate Ross: Where Have All the Dandies Gone? by Jerry L. Parker -- James Brewer: Sleuths and Carpetbaggers along the Mississippi River by Lawrence A. Kreise, Jr. -- Peter Heck: Mark Twain as Detective by Ray B. Browne and Lawrence A. Kreise, Jr. -- Caleb Carr: Running Away from the Darkness by Douglas Tallack -- Anne Perry: Victorian 'Istorian and Murdermonger by Linda J. Holland-Toll -- Peter Lovesey: No Cribbing on History by Margaret L. Foxwell -- Elizabeth Peters: The Last Camel Died at Noon as Lost World Adventure Pastiche by Gary Happenstand -- Contributors.

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