City and Shore

<p> Certain settings have long been a common element in British mystery and detective fiction: the quaint village; the country manor; the seaside resort; the streets of London. More than simply providing background physical setting--in particular the city of London and the British seashore--takes on an added dimension in a sense becoming a player in the mysteries one that symbolizes intensifies and illuminates aspects of the British mystery novel.</p><p> The first section examines 18 British mystery novels set in the city of London; the second covers 15 novels set by the sea. The novels span the twentieth century; among the authors whose works are included are Agatha Christie Graham Greene G.K. Chesterton and P.D. James. The book includes a short biography and listing of primary works for the authors covered and appendices offer suggested fiction utilizing the two settings and critical nonfiction covering the genre.</p>