The Classic Era of Crime FictionThis lavishly illustrated history features rare covers and classic illustrations, revealing how crucial artists were to establishing the identity and popularity of crime fiction. During its “classic era”—from 1850 to 1950—a variety of writers developed every important element of the genre: the police detective, the professional sleuth, the hard-boiled private eye, the secret agent, and of course, the criminal masterminds, crooks, and gangsters. From Sherlock Holmes and James Bond to Edgar Allan Poe and Joseph Conrad, this book explores an exciting cultural history. Crime enthusiasts can here see how famous (and sometimes infamous) works of crime fiction originally looked, and how unknown writers and illustrators became responsible for one of the cornerstones of popular culture. |
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adventures Agatha Aldine Ambler American appeared Beadle became began best-seller Black Mask born Britain British career character Cheyney classic Conan Doyle copies created creator crime fiction crime noir crime stories criminal Dashiell Hammett death debut described detective fiction detective story Dick dime novel Dupin edition Ellery Émile Gaboriau England espionage famous featuring filmed Fleming followed Frank French Fu Manchu gang gangster genre George Hank Janson hard-boiled hero Hollywood inspired issued James Hadley Chase John killer King Brady Lady later Lecoq Library London Macdonald murder Nick Carter novelist Old Sleuth paperback Paris pen-name Peter Poirot police popular private eye publication published pulp magazines Raymond Chandler readers reprinted Richard Roland Daniel Secret Agent Secret Service serial Sexton Blake Sherlock Holmes short stories solve Spillane spy novel spy story starring Street success thrillers titles tough Tousey Wilkie Collins William written wrote yellow-back York young