Tag: Amateur Sleuth

Reading Lists

Reading List: 5 Police Procedural Mysteries of the 1920s

The 1920s were a decade of change, innovation, and experimentation in the mystery genre. It was during this decade that the genre began to take on a more realistic and grounded approach, with an emphasis on police procedural and detective work. Here are some notable proto-police procedurals and police procedural mystery books from the 1920s: The Benson Murder Case by S. S. Van Dine (1926): … Continue reading Reading List: 5 Police Procedural Mysteries of the 1920s

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New Releases, TBR

New Book Releases: February 15 – February 21, 2023

Six new releases this week! Three of them are reprints from Christina Koning’s The Blind Detective series set in London during the 1920’s. The Blind Detective by Christina Koning (Blind Detective, 1) First published as Line of Sight under A. C. Koning. London, 1927. Frederick Rowlands, an injured war veteran, works as a switchboard operator in the City. After being blinded by shrapnel in the … Continue reading New Book Releases: February 15 – February 21, 2023

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Book Reviews

Book Review: A Murder on 34th Street by Colette Clark (Penelope Banks, 8)

Murder on 34th Street by Colette Clark and featuring her plucky sleuth Penelope Banks is a cozy mystery novel set in 1920s New York during the holiday season. The book follows Penelope “Pen” Banks and her cousin Cordelia as they attend the Macy’s Christmas Parade ending at 34th Street. Pen also plans to host Detective Richard Prescott’s family for Thanksgiving dinner and is on the … Continue reading Book Review: A Murder on 34th Street by Colette Clark (Penelope Banks, 8)

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Book Reviews

Book Review: Murder Most Malicious by Alyssa Maxwell (A Lady and Lady’s Maid, 1)

Murder Most Malicious is a mystery novel written by Alyssa Maxwell. The book is the first in the “Lady and Lady’s Maid Mystery” series and takes place in the early 1900s in England. The story follows the main character, Lady Phoebe Renshaw, and her lady’s maid, Eva Huntford, as they investigate a murder that takes place in their wealthy and influential social circle. Lady Phoebe … Continue reading Book Review: Murder Most Malicious by Alyssa Maxwell (A Lady and Lady’s Maid, 1)

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Essay

Amateur Sleuths in the Golden Age of Detective Fiction

The “Golden Age” of detective fiction, which roughly spanned from the 1920s to the 1940s, produced some of the most iconic fictional detectives in literary history, including Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, Dorothy L. Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey, and Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. However, alongside these professional detectives, the era also saw the rise of the amateur sleuth, a trope that became … Continue reading Amateur Sleuths in the Golden Age of Detective Fiction

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Book Reviews

Book Review: The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne

The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne is a classic whodunnit novel that will appeal to fans of the genre. The book is written in the style of a “locked room” mystery, with the murder taking place in a closed setting with a limited number of suspects. The Red House Mystery is a detective novel by A. A. Milne, first published in 1922. The … Continue reading Book Review: The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne

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Reading Lists

Reading List: Visiting the Theatre Can Be Murder!

Do you love the theatre and a good mystery? Then let one of these books take center stage of your next night in, but beware, behind every curtain lurks a killer. Catch them if you can before they kill again! Ruddy Gore by Kerry Greenwood (Phryrne Fisher Mysteries,7) Phryne Fisher is running late to a showing of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Ruddigore when she runs into … Continue reading Reading List: Visiting the Theatre Can Be Murder!

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Book Reviews

Book Review: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (A Thursday Murder Club Mystery, 1)

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman is a charming and witty debut novel that follows a group of retirees who solve cold cases for fun, until they become entangled in a real-life murder investigation. The story is set in a retirement village called Coopers Chase, where four residents – Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron – meet every Thursday to discuss unsolved murder cases. They … Continue reading Book Review: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (A Thursday Murder Club Mystery, 1)

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Book Reviews

Book Review: Requiem for a Mezzo by Carola Dunn (A Daisy Dalrymple Mystery, 3)

Requiem for a Mezzo is a novel in the Daisy Dalrymple mystery series by Carola Dunn. The book was first published in 1996 and is the third book in the series. The story follows Daisy Dalrymple, a freelance writer, as she travels to the countryside to cover a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” by the Castringham Choir. However, her plans are interrupted when the choir’s leading … Continue reading Book Review: Requiem for a Mezzo by Carola Dunn (A Daisy Dalrymple Mystery, 3)

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Book Reviews

Book Review: The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew, 2)

The Hidden Staircase is a classic mystery novel that has captivated readers since its publication in 1930. Written by Carolyn Keene, the book is the second in the Nancy Drew series and follows the adventures of teenage detective Nancy Drew as she tries to uncover the secrets of a haunted mansion. The story begins when Nancy is approached by her friend, Helen Corning, who seeks … Continue reading Book Review: The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew, 2)

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