Classic American Crime Fiction of the 1920s

About this book

A riveting collection of five of the most famous crime novels of the 1920s presenting anew some of the most admired authors of the erawith insightful annotations by the Edgar-winning anthologist Leslie S. Klinger. American crime writing was reborn in the 1920s. After years of dominance by British authors new American writerswith fresh ideas about the detective and the mysteryappeared on the scene and rose to heights of popularity not witnessed since the success of the Sherlock Holmes tales in America. Classic American Crime Writing of the 1920sincluding House Without a Key The Benson Murder Case The Roman Hat Mystery Red Harvest and Little Caesaroffers some of the very best of that decades writing. Earl Derr Biggers wrote about Charlie Chan a Chinese-American detective at a time when racism was rampant. S. S. Van Dine invented Philo Vance an effete rich amateur psychologist who flourished while America danced and the stock market rose. The quintessential American detective Ellery Queen leapt onto the stage to remain popular for fifty years. Dashiell Hammett brings readers another mystery narrated by the Continental Op. W. R. Burnett created the indelible character of Rico the first gangster antihero. Each of the five novels included is presented in its original published form with extensive historical and cultural annotations and illustrations added by Edgar-winning editor Leslie S. Klinger allowing the reader to experience the story to its fullest. Klingers detailed foreword gives an overview of the history of American crime writing from its beginnings in the early years of America to the twentieth century. This gorgeously illustrated volume includes over 100 color and black and white images as well as an introduction by the eminent mystery publisher Otto Penzler.