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Talking about Detective Fiction

by P.D. James
Compare to estimated retail price: S$18.60  

The item you've got your eye on is secondhand. You probably already know that, but just in case!

The estimated retail price shown next to any listed item represents the first-hand prices we've seen elsewhere, or the estimated original retail price of a comparable item of the same quality, construction and material offered elsewhere in new condition.

Talking about Detective Fiction - Thryft
Talking about Detective Fiction - Thryft

Appeal: Iconic detective stories throughout history.

Recommendation: "Talking About Detective Fiction" by P.D. James is an informative and engaging exploration of the evolution of the crime genre. From classic writers like Arthur Conan Doyle to modern masters like Patricia Highsmith, this book gives readers a deeper understanding of the literary techniques and iconic characters that define the detective novel. If you're a fan of mystery and crime fiction, you won't want to miss this insightful analysis.

  • Macavity Award for Best Mystery Nonfiction (2010)
  • Anthony Award for Best Critical Non-Fiction (2010)
  • Agatha Award Nominee for Best Nonfiction (2009)
  • Edgar Award Nominee for Best Critical/Biographical (2010)
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

Talking about Detective Fiction

by P.D. James
Compare to estimated retail price: S$18.60  

The item you've got your eye on is secondhand. You probably already know that, but just in case!

The estimated retail price shown next to any listed item represents the first-hand prices we've seen elsewhere, or the estimated original retail price of a comparable item of the same quality, construction and material offered elsewhere in new condition.

Condition guide

Book Condition Guide

Books in Like New Condition

This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Very Good Condition

This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Good Condition

We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Well Read Condition

This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

 

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ISBN: 9780571253586
Authors: P.D. James
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Date of Publication: 2010-01-01
Format: Paperback
Related Collections: Creative Nonfiction
Related Topics: Essays
Goodreads rating: 3.76
(rated by 2159 readers)

Description

From the birth of crime writing with Wilkie Collins and Dostoevsky, through Conan Doyle to the golden age of crime, with the rise of Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh and Margery Allingham, P. D. James brings a lifetime of reading and writing crime fiction to bear on this personal history of the genre. There are chapters on great American crime writers - the likes of Patricia Highsmith, Raymond Chandler and Dashiel Hammett. James also discusses many of her favourite famous detectives, from Sherlock Holmes to Philip Marlowe.P.D. James, the bestselling author of Death Comes to Pemberley, Children of Men and The Murder Room, presents a brief history of detective fiction and explores the literary techniques behind history's best crime writing.
 

Appeal: Iconic detective stories throughout history.

Recommendation: "Talking About Detective Fiction" by P.D. James is an informative and engaging exploration of the evolution of the crime genre. From classic writers like Arthur Conan Doyle to modern masters like Patricia Highsmith, this book gives readers a deeper understanding of the literary techniques and iconic characters that define the detective novel. If you're a fan of mystery and crime fiction, you won't want to miss this insightful analysis.

  • Macavity Award for Best Mystery Nonfiction (2010)
  • Anthony Award for Best Critical Non-Fiction (2010)
  • Agatha Award Nominee for Best Nonfiction (2009)
  • Edgar Award Nominee for Best Critical/Biographical (2010)
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.