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Julian Symons
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Bloody Murder: From the Detective Story to the Crime Novel Hardcover – February 1, 1993

by Julian Symons (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 24 ratings
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In celebration of distinguished author/critic Julian Symons' 80th year, here is the third and final revised edition of his classic history of mystery fiction. The views expressed here are as candid as ever. One bestselling writer is called unreadable, another compared to writers of "strip cartoon stories". But the general tone is warmly appreciative of every sort of book within the genre.
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  1. Print length
    349 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Mysterious Press
  4. Publication date
    February 1, 1993
  5. Dimensions
    5.7 x 1.2 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0892964960
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0892964963
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Bloody Murder: From the Detective Story to the Crime Novel
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The Life of Crime: Detecting the History of Mysteries and their Creators
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The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mysterious Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 1, 1993
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 3rd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 349 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0892964960
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0892964963
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.7 x 1.2 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 24 ratings

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Julian Symons

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4.7 out of 5 stars
24 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Gary Genard
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Evolution of Detective Novel Into Crime Novel
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    A must-read if you're interested in the development of mystery fiction. The author is refreshingly opinionated, and seems to have read everything. Most valuable: you'll learn about the all-important change from detective stories with stick figures, to today's nuanced crime fiction. Just for fun, I re-read (based on Symons' opinion) one of the greatest of the locked-room puzzlers from the 1930s. I couldn't wait to finish it and read a mystery novel with real people in it! Vive la revolution!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kathryn R. Sullivan
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have guide for fans of the genre and it's sub-genres
    Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    A history of the genre which is very good. But the greater value of this publication is that it gives a long time crime novel reviewer's brutally honest opinion of what he has read. And boy oh boy has he read a lot in eighty years! It will be a great time saver for those who want to spend their precious time reading only the best, what qualifies to be called literature. Interesting to see the criticisms he had about many raved about writers such as Thomas Harris, James Ellroy, Andrew Vachss and others who managed to sell so much. Unfortunately this guide was finished around 1990 so there is nothing about writers making their first appearance in the last 20 years. But still a valuable reference.
    46 people found this helpful
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  • Bryce A. Suderow
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is a very useful book
    Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I like the fact that the book arrived very quickly and that is a very fine copy. I bought it because I want a reference book that I can turn to when I want to find out about a particular writer of mysteries
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  • K. Conrad
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is one of my favorite books about mystery stories and novels
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2017
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    This is one of my favorite books about mystery stories and novels. It's a great way to find authors you might like but haven't read. Very well written and entertaining.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • SDR
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2019
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    Great book.
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  • Myabba
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Historical non-fiction
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  • J. Hirsch Jr.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2014
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    thanx
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Officer Dibble
    5.0 out of 5 stars Handbook to crime fiction
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    Covering a century of crime writing, this work is a superbly well researched analysis from the mid 1800's through to 1972 with two updates in 1985 and 1992. Mr Symons was a prolific crime writer and critic. Here he displays a life time of love for the genre.

    The review works on three levels. Firstly, for the beginner, it is a general history of the development of crime writing; from Detective story, to Golden Age, to USA hard boiled to the modern day. Secondly, for those readers with a more developed taste, it is a delightful, dip-in, 'toilet read' against which to test ones own opinions. Thirdly, for the serious devotee, it is a guide to the rarer, obscure and neglected gems or turkeys.

    Particularly strong on the 'older' stuff, Mr Symons is not afraid to get off the critical fence; for example, he is no fan of Dorothy L. Sayers. As the book progresses to the modern day, it does seem to get relatively weaker. Perhaps it is understandable that Mr Symons may wish to be less critical of his peers. One look at the CWA Awards list reveals how quickly some winners have died a death, both commercially and critically.

    The postcripts written for the later editions are more of a novelty value. They are simply referred to as 'crystal ball' views. That aside, this is a splendid reference work. Put it on your wish list if you love any form of crime fiction.
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  • Terry Ames
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on February 23, 2017
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    Excellent introduction to the genre of mystery fiction.
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  • Graham J
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent and informative read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2014
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    An well researched and readable account of the development of crime writing from Author Conan Doyle to the 1970s. Particularly useful to those on a crime writing course.
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