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The main body of the work consists of entries for each detective arranged alphabetically by surname. Composed of up to 18 parts, each entry provides a concise identifying phrase that indicates the nationality, gender, profession, and principal locale of the protagonist (for example, "British Male Amateur operating in England"), which, in many cases, is supplemented by a more detailed narrative description of the character. When appropriate, entries also identify^-and frequently include additional descriptive commentary on^-the characters who serve as the detective's assistants (or "sidekicks") and their principal noncriminal adversaries (or "stooges"). For example, the entry for Perry Mason lists Paul Drake and Della Street as his sidekicks and District Attorney Hamilton Burger as one of his stooges. Among other components are the name and nationality of the author who created the character, often accompanied by brief biographical data; the number of books in which the character had appeared as of 1995; and the titles, publishers, and dates of the first and most recent books involving the character. Also noted are additional detectives created by the author and other writers who have used the same character in their works. Recognizing that Sherlock Holmes is in a class of his own, the compilers have devoted a 26-page entry to his character alone.
Frequent cross-references enhance access, as do the four separate indexes to authors, titles, sidekicks, and stooges. Other features include an annotated bibliography of sources consulted; a section, arranged by detective, that notes discrepancies discovered in these sources; and a list of all the detectives who are parodies of Sherlock Holmes.
Unfortunately, the layout of this work and the format of the entries detract from its ease of use. Due to the listing of detectives' names with forenames first rather than surnames, the alphabetical sequence is not immediately obvious, and the insufficient space between entries makes it difficult to ascertain quickly where an entry begins and ends. In addition, the various parts of an entry are not always labeled or self-explanatory, which forces the user to consult the 11-page explanatory guide at the front of the volume. Moreover, U.S. readers may be left in the dark by the occasional use of Briticisms, such as "bluff chap" and "dab hand."
Outweighing these problems and concerns, however, is the indisputable fact that this volume's coverage is far more comprehensive than any other compilation focusing on fictional sleuths. For example, John Conquest's Trouble Is Their Business [RBB Je 15 90] identifies 1,563 characters and is limited to private eyes, while Detectionary: A Bibliographic Dictionary of the Leading Characters in Detective and Mystery Fiction (Overlook Press, 1977) treats only approximately 400 characters. Sleuths, Sidekicks, and Stooges is a natural complement to Allen J. Hubin's two-volume Crime Fiction II: A Comprehensive Bibliography, 17491990 [RBB Ag 94], and it will be a valuable addition to academic and public libraries that support both the study and the enjoyment of detective fiction.
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Book Description 8vo, 297x210mm) 880p. Hardback. (NEW BOOK ) This is a major reference work on crime, mystery and adventure fiction in English. With over 7,000 entries from American and British crime fiction writing, listed alphabetically by detective, it provides a wealth of information about the sleuths, their sidekicks and the police chiefs who try to thwart them. In addition, each entry provides publication details for the books in which the detective appears (for both the UK and the US) and gives biographical details of the author. For ease of cross-reference, the volume is indexed by sidekick, protagonist, author and title. No other bibliography in this field covers as many detectives and gives information on their aides and their rivals. Seller Inventory # 11075