Book Review: Mildred Pierce by James M. Cain (1941)

Mildred Pierce is a novel written by James M. Cain and published in 1941. The story takes place during the Great Depression in Southern California, and follows the life of a middle-class woman named Mildred Pierce. Mildred Pierce is a devoted mother who is determined to provide her two daughters with the best possible life. After her husband leaves her for another woman, Mildred takes … Continue reading Book Review: Mildred Pierce by James M. Cain (1941)

Hardboiled Mysteries of the 1920s and 1930s

Hardboiled mysteries were a popular genre of detective fiction in the 1920s and 1930s that typically featured tough, cynical private investigators who were willing to break the law to solve a case. These stories often took place in gritty urban settings and featured morally ambiguous characters. Some of the most well-known hardboiled mystery writers of the era include Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and James M. … Continue reading Hardboiled Mysteries of the 1920s and 1930s

1930s Mysteries: An Overview

The 1930s was a decade of great change and upheaval, marked by the Great Depression, the rise of fascism in Europe, and the looming threat of a second world war. In popular culture, however, the 1930s were also a time of great fascination with mysteries and detective fiction. The decade saw the rise of many iconic characters and series, from Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot to … Continue reading 1930s Mysteries: An Overview

Reading List: The 5 Best Noir Mysteries of The Golden Age of Detective Fiction

The golden age of detective fiction is considered to be the period between World War I and World War II when a new genre of crime fiction emerged. This genre is commonly referred to as Noir, which is French for “black.” Noir is characterized by its dark and pessimistic view of the world, its complex plots, and its hardboiled detectives who operate outside the law … Continue reading Reading List: The 5 Best Noir Mysteries of The Golden Age of Detective Fiction