Tue 7 Mar 2017
Reviewed by Barry Gardner: ED GORMAN, MARTIN GREENBERG, LARRY SEGRIFF & JON L. BREEN, Editors – The Fine Art of Murder.
Posted by Steve under Reference works / Biographies , Reviews[12] Comments
ED GORMAN, MARTIN GREENBERG, LARRY SEGRIFF & JON L. BREEN, Editors – The Fine Art of Murder. Carroll & Graf, oversized trade paperback, 1993. Galahad Books, hardcover, 1995
What can I say about a book that has pieces by: Bill Crider on Texas Authors; Marv Lachman on Rockey Mountain Mysteries; Ellen Nehr on Cat Mysteries, Dog Mysteries, and the Doubleday Crime Club; Walter Albert on Researchers; Bob Napier on Fandom; Janet Rudolph on Conventions and Mystery Weekends; Peggy Albert on Nancy & Jessica; and Steve Stilwell interviewing Al Hubin.
Well, I can say that I can’t imagine any real mystery fan not finding enough of interest to make the book worth the $17.95 purchase price. Besides the luminaries listed above, there are pieces by such lesser lights as Larry Block, Bill DeAndrea, Harry Keating, Ed Gorman, Max Allan Collins, John D. MacDonald, Vin Packer, Carolyn G. Hart, Bill Pronzini, Margaret Maron and a further cast of dozens.
Jon Breen contributed the introductory remarks for most of.the`various sections. Many pieces are original, some are reprinted, but all were written by people who know how to write and write well, and did. My own favorite sections were on pulps and paperbacks, but there’s something (and more than one something) for everyone. It’s a browser’s delight that covers just about every aspect of the field, written by a group of people who know their subject.
March 7th, 2017 at 1:46 pm
One of the great reference books of the field, no doubt about it. It hasn’t been updated, as far as I know, but for the state of the art of the mystery field in 1993, it’s a tough book to beat.
March 7th, 2017 at 2:12 pm
It’s a big book, 8 1/2 by 11 with almost 400 pages and several copies are available on abebooks.com for only $4.00, including postage!
My favorite section is NOSTALGIA which has essays by John D. MacDonald on Norbert Davis
Gold Medal Days by Vin Packer
The Golden Era of Gold Medal Books by George Tuttle
25 Cent Paperbacks by Ed Gorman
50 Favorite Gold Medals by Bernie Nalaboff
March 7th, 2017 at 2:38 pm
There is a bit of an inside joke there in Barry’s first paragraph. All of the essayists he listed were members of DAPA-Em at the time, the same in-print forum in which Barry’s review appeared.
March 7th, 2017 at 6:28 pm
Uh… Ed Gorman’s name is misspelled in the the third paragraph. Unintentional I’m sure but an error that needs to be corrected for our dear departed friend.
Doug Greene wrote several filler pieces that appear throughout this book, mostly lists, variations on a theme of sorts. He had one called “The 10 Most Underrated Mystery Writers” all of whom I investigated. That’s how I got hooked on Clifford Witting (an exceptional and very forgotten British writer) and Kathleen Moore Knight. Some of the others in that list are Clyde Clason (hit and miss, IMO), Milward Kennedy (ditto), Rufus King and Jonathan Stagge (both of whom I rank highly, too). Hmmm… I’m sure I’ve talked about that list somewhere else in a comment on this fine blog. I’m starting to repeat myself a lot. 🙂
March 7th, 2017 at 6:42 pm
I’ll fix that typo ASAP, if not sooner. Thanks, John!
March 7th, 2017 at 11:00 pm
This is indeed a highly informative book.
I’ve recommended it on my web site for 20 years.
March 7th, 2017 at 11:19 pm
Great book that led me to many new books and a few writers which is one thing this type of book is great for.
March 8th, 2017 at 7:56 am
I don’t know how I missed this, especially given all the apa people who contributed, but I did. I’m ordering a copy as soon as we get home next week.
March 8th, 2017 at 10:35 am
I may have to do the same — order a copy, that is. I’ve been looking for mine, and so far haven’t come across it. I know I have a copy, but where?
March 8th, 2017 at 1:05 pm
Yep, have my copy right here, purchased new at the mystery book store in Sherman Oaks, CA (Scene of the Crime?) soon after the book was published. Haven’t looked at it in years. I also was in DAPA then, as were (ahem) you,, Steve.
March 9th, 2017 at 11:25 am
Pulled it off the shelf last night and ended up reading about 100 pages. Very enjoyable.
March 9th, 2017 at 11:31 am
I’d love to see an updated edition, but alas, with Ed Gorman and Marty Greenberg no longer with us, there isn’t likely to be one.