The Lock and Key Library


Book Description

Large Format for easy reading. a collection of both detective, occultism and magic short stories and articles. Arthur Train, David P. Abbott, Andrew Lang, M. Robert-Houdin and Hereward Carrington contribute.







The Lock and Key Library: The Most Interesting Stories of All Nations: French


Book Description

The Lock and Key Library: The Most Interesting Stories of All Nations: French by Julian Hawthorne: This captivating anthology curated by Julian Hawthorne brings together a selection of the most intriguing and enchanting French stories from various periods and authors. From classic tales to lesser-known gems, "The Lock and Key Library" offers readers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of French literature, showcasing the creativity and imagination of French storytellers. Key Aspects of the Book "The Lock and Key Library: the Most Interesting Stories of All Nations: French": A Cross-Section of French Literature: The anthology offers a diverse range of stories that represent different styles, genres, and eras of French literature. French Culture and Imagination: The stories provide insights into French culture, history, and the unique perspectives of French authors. Translator's Skill: Julian Hawthorne's translation skills allow English-speaking readers to savor the essence and beauty of the original French stories. Julian Hawthorne was an American writer and literary critic born in 1846. He was the son of famed author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Julian Hawthorne was known for his work as an editor and compiler of literary anthologies, including "The Lock and Key Library," which aimed to introduce readers to diverse literary traditions from around the world.







The Origins of the American Detective Story


Book Description

Edgar Allan Poe essentially invented the detective story in 1841 with Murders in the Rue Morgue. In the years that followed, however, detective fiction in America saw no significant progress as a literary genre. Much to the dismay of moral crusaders like Anthony Comstock, dime novels and other sensationalist publications satisfied the public's hunger for a yarn. Things changed as the century waned, and eventually the detective was reborn as a figure of American literature. In part these changes were due to a combination of social conditions, including the rise and decline of the police as an institution; the parallel development of private detectives; the birth of the crusading newspaper reporter; and the beginnings of forensic science. Influential, too, was the new role model offered by a wildly popular British import named Sherlock Holmes. Focusing on the late 19th century and early 20th, this volume covers the formative years of American detective fiction. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.




Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature, Vol 1


Book Description

Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature, A Checklist, 1700-1974, Volume one of Two, contains an Author Index, Title Index, Series Index, Awards Index, and the Ace and Belmont Doubles Index.













Perplexing Plots


Book Description

Nominated, 2024 Edgar Allan Poe Award in the category of best critical/biographical, Mystery Writers of America Shortlisted, 2024 Agatha Awards - Best Mystery Nonfiction, Malice Domestic Posthumous Winner - 2023 IFCA Book Prize, International Crime Fiction Association Narrative innovation is typically seen as the domain of the avant-garde. However, techniques such as nonlinear timelines, multiple points of view, and unreliable narration have long been part of American popular culture. How did forms and styles once regarded as “difficult” become familiar to audiences? In Perplexing Plots, David Bordwell reveals how crime fiction, plays, and films made unconventional narrative mainstream. He shows that since the nineteenth century, detective stories and suspense thrillers have allowed ambitious storytellers to experiment with narrative. Tales of crime and mystery became a training ground where audiences learned to appreciate artifice. These genres demand a sophisticated awareness of storytelling conventions: they play games with narrative form and toy with audience expectations. Bordwell examines how writers and directors have pushed, pulled, and collaborated with their audiences to change popular storytelling. He explores the plot engineering of figures such as Raymond Chandler, Agatha Christie, Dashiell Hammett, Patricia Highsmith, Alfred Hitchcock, Dorothy Sayers, and Quentin Tarantino, and traces how mainstream storytellers and modernist experimenters influenced one another’s work. A sweeping, kaleidoscopic account written in a lively, conversational style, Perplexing Plots offers an ambitious new understanding of how movies, literature, theater, and popular culture have evolved over the past century.