Overview
This comprehensive bio-critical dictionary evaluates 117 widely read historical and contemporary women mystery writers and over 1,000 novels. From the sensationalist women mystery writers of the 19th century to the mid-1990s practitioners such as Margaret Maron, Karen Kijewski, and Sue Grafton, this work celebrates the contributions of women writers to mystery fiction, with an emphasis on contemporary writers. Signed interpretive and evaluative essays by 86 scholar-critics who are experts in the field are 4-5 pages in length and review the totality of the writer's work. A complete mystery bibliography and selected critical bibliography are also included in each entry, and helpful appendices conclude the volume. Great Women Mystery Writers is a full-fledged critical companion by noted scholars and critics, and can be used for its critical interpretations, as a reader's advisory, and as an essential reference tool for librarian and patron alike.Synopsis
"...A useful reference where mysteries are popular, particularly because some of the information is hard to find." Library Journal
Library Journal
In addition to an introductory essay on women mystery writers by the editor, this book contains a collection of essays describing the life and work of 117 women writers of crime fiction. The essays were written by more than 80 contributors, which explains their uneven style and content. No criteria for inclusion are given, nor was this reviewer able to deduce them. Entries range from critically renowned and popular writers (e.g., Sayers, Christie, Rinehart) to scarcely known writers published by small, specialty presses (e.g., Bowers, Slovo); still others are inexplicably absent (e.g., Cannell and Walters). While some features are common to all entries, the depth of detail in the critical and descriptive analyses of the authors' works varies greatly. Most entries do, however, include suggestions of writers with similar styles for further reading. The five appendixes list Edgar and Agatha winners, describe the Sisters in Crime organization and the Dorothy-L listserv, and discuss activities for fans of mystery fiction. Despite its drawbacks, this could be a useful reference where mysteries are popular, particularly because some of the information is hard to find. Recommended with reservations.-Denise Johnson, Bradley Univ. Lib., Peoria, Ill.