The Subject Is Murder

Library Journal

In 1986 Garland published The Subject Is Murder, a bibliography of murder mysteries organized into 48 distinct categories, e.g., academia, boats and ships, fashion, gardening, etc. This second volume, which is largely devoted to books written since 1985, adds ten more categories--six of which are under the general heading ``Sports and Hobbies.'' The lists are extensive, nearly 2100 titles in all, with a cross-reference index to Volume 1 (o.p.) and a short analysis of each category's popularity during various time spans. The work would be much more useful if the entries were annotated. As it is, only those who want to identify murder mysteries set within a particular environment will appreciate its value.-- Martin J. Hudacs, Towanda High Sch., Pa.

Booknews

Like Volume 1 (Garland, 1986), this is a guide for the mystery reader and collector who has interest in particular settings or life-styles. Nearly 2,100 mystery and suspense novels, most published since 1985, are classified in 29 major subject categories. Categories new to this volume are antiques, cooking, fashion, Halloween, bird watching, coin collecting, stamp collecting, and mountain climbing. Cross-referenced to Volume 1. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)