And the whole package is capped with three indices (title, name, and subject) and 20 pages of “select” bibliography perfect for selective dipping and further reading.Ĭould the devout mystery fan wish for anything more? Well, perhaps…especially if she or he is seeking critical depth or insight into stylistic crosscurrents. Each concludes with a hefty block of fine-print notes that sweep up loose ends. In it, he covers hundreds of writers in 55 chapters organized topically (e.g., “The Mistress of Deception: Agatha Christie” “Waking Nightmares: Noir Fiction” and “In Lonely Rooms: Raymond Chandler”). You can find out more about Martin and his books here.This massive chronicle of crime fiction comes as close to being exhaustive as author Martin Edwards’ near-manic expertise and reading experience allow. “Martin Edwards is not only a fine writer but he is also ridiculously knowledgeable about the field of crime and suspense fiction.” Keating as the leading authority on our genre.”

He is the heir to Julian Symons and H.R.F. “Martin is not only one of the finest crime writers of his generation. “Martin knows more about crime fiction than anyone else working in the field today.” This definitive distillation of more than two centuries of extraordinary books and authors – from William Godwin to the bestsellers of today – into one coherent history is an extraordinary feat and makes for compelling reading. He traces the story of the genre’s development and evolution in a way that will fascinate and entertain anyone who delights in a good mystery.Ĭrime fiction is being read more widely than ever, and The Life of Crime detects the methods of crime authors and the ups and downs of their literary lives with insight, compassion and wit. Martin Edwards has drawn on his experience as an award-winning novelist to capture the breadth and complexity of crime writing in a study that is both authoritative and eminently readable. The Life of Crime is the result of a lifetime of reading and enjoying all types of crime fiction, old and new, from around the world. In this ground-breaking history of crime fiction, acclaimed expert and CWA Diamond Dagger winner Martin Edwards traces the evolution of the genre from the eighteenth century to the present, offering a brand-new perspective on the world’s most popular form of storytelling.

The Life of Crime by Martin Edwards