Medieval Crime Fiction

<p> Combining elements of medievalism the historical novel and the detective narrative medieval crime fiction capitalizes upon the appeal of all three--the most famous examples being Umberto Eco's <I>The Name of the Rose</I> (one of the best-selling books ever published) and Ellis Peters' endearing Brother Cadfael series.</p><p> Hundreds of other novels and series fill out the genre in settings ranging from the so-called Celtic Enlightenment in seventh-century Ireland to the ruthless Inquisition in fourteenth-century France to the mean streets of medieval London. The detectives are an eclectic group including weary ex-crusaders former Knights Templar enterprising monks and nuns and historical poets such as Geoffrey Chaucer.</p><p> This book investigates the enduring popularity of the largely unexamined genre and explores its social cultural and political contexts.</p>