Perfect Murder: A Study in Detection - A Guide to the Best Mysteries Ever Written

Lehman, David

ISBN 10: 0029197708 / ISBN 13: 9780029197707

Published by The Free Press, U.S.A., 1989

About this Item

NF / NF. Numbering sequence denotes 1st Printing of the 1989 Free Press / MacMillan 1st Edition. Book is straight, square, tightly and evenly bound and free of gutter creasing, markings and blemishes. minor age fading along DJ backstrip, very small chip to DJ front top joint and mild bumping to Cover and DJ heads to only discernible (nearly imperceptible) flaws, Cover and unclipped Dust Jacket (reflecting original USD $19.95 price) are clean and bright, with sharp corners and joints, straight tails, spine / backstrip, hinges and edges, boldly legible lettering and crisply distinct design, artwork and Author image. (Please see Seller images). ISBN 0029197708. ShiroBooks, independent bookseller, takes pride in accurate descriptions, careful wrapping and safe shipping. CONTACT SHIROBOOKS PRIOR TO ORDERING if any questions or for more information, details or photos.

Seller Inventory # 005745

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Perfect Murder: A Study in Detection - A Guide to the Best Mysteries Ever Written
• Publisher: The Free Press, U.S.A.
• Publication Date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0029197708
• ISBN 13: 9780029197707
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Printing: 1st Printing
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine

About this title

Synopsis

Investigates the continual appeal of the mystery novel and the popularity of its most successful purveyors, from Agatha Christie to Ed McBain, drawing on a selection of the best of the genre

Review

Penzler Pick, May 2000: There have been numerous attempts to provide an overview of the mystery fiction genre in all its diversity. One of the first and, I would argue, the best is Howard Haycraft's Murder for Pleasure, written in 1941 when virtually no one considered it worthwhile to write about this back-of-the-bus literary genre. For its ground-breaking place in literary history; for its readable, lively, and literate prose; and for its comprehensiveness and intelligent insight into the books and authors who would stand the test of time this work towers above all others.

Julian Symons wrote Mortal Consequences in 1972 and it too is brilliant, though far more controversial in its appraisals. (In the copy Symons inscribed to me, he accurately describes it as "material for disagreement and argument," following one of our many disagreements and arguments--the one we had when he failed to accept the enduring brilliance of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe novels.)

David Lehman's The Perfect Murder was originally published in 1987 and has at last been reissued in paperback, with a new chapter on mystery novels of the 1990s. While Lehman is as opinionated as Symons, he is more generous in his taste and seems to prefer the best writers. (This actually means that his taste coincides with mine, which suggests that it is impeccable!)

Although mainly chronological in structure, The Perfect Murder jumps around some, even including references to modern films while discussing old books. Oddly, the chapter on Sherlock Holmes precedes the chapter on Edgar Allan Poe, but somehow it all makes sense. His list of favorite books at the end is one of the most intelligent selections I've ever encountered--with the exception of The Name of the Rose, which is impenetrable, and The Singing Detective, which just tries too hard to be cool.

If you are interested in mystery fiction but know little beyond the obvious classics, read this to be the biggest expert on your block. If you're already the biggest expert on your block, read it to learn how much you don't know, and be grateful for its perceptive insights. --Otto Penzler