Harriet J. Bauman
Brean, Herbert, ed.
The Mystery Writer’s Handbook A Handbook on the Writing of Detective, Suspense, Mystery and Crime Stories by the Mystery Writers of America
(New York: Harper and Brothers Publishers), 1956.
Many different mystery writers collaborated on writing this book as a guide for the novice writer. It explains the reasoning behind and the planning of a detective novel.
Haycraft, Howard.
Murder for Pleasure The Life and Times of the Detective Story
(New York: Biblo and Tannen), 1974.
This book is a history of detective fiction. It shows the evolution of the detective novel from its beginning to the present time. Chapter VI deals specifically with French detective novels.
Murch, A.E.
The Development of the Detective Novel
(New York: Greenwood Press, Publishers), 1958.
Murch traces the evolution of detective fiction from its sources to the present (1958). The reasons for this genre becoming so popular are explored as well. Chapters III, VII, and XIII give excellent background on the rise of detective fiction in France.
Narcejac, Thomas.
Une Machine ˆ Lire
:
Le Roman Policier
(France: Editions Denoél/Gonthier), 1975.
Narcejac proves that detective fiction is a real genre of literature. This is another history of the detective novel, but from the French point of view. Chapters worth noting are 1, 2, 5, 9, 10-17.
Rodell, Marie F.
Mystery Fiction Theory and Technique
(New York: Duell, Sloan and Pearce), 1943.
This is a how-to book for beginning writers. It explains the elements of detective fiction.
Winks, Robin W.
Modus Operandi
:
An Excursion into Detective Fiction
(Boston: Godine), 1982.
An informative, easy-to-read background of the genre of detective fiction. It convinces the reader that this type of novel is a worthwhile and legitimate endeavor. It brings the books listed above up to date, and has convincing arguments for the establishment of detective fiction as a genre of literature.