Dime Novels and the Roots of American Detective Fiction

by Pamela Bedore

This book reveals subversive representations of gender, race and class in detective dime novels (1860-1915), arguing that inherent tensions between subversive and conservative impulses―theorized as contamination and containment―explain detective fiction's ongoing popular appeal to readers and to writers such as Twain and Faulkner.

215 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Crystal Caudill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This resource feels like someone's PhD dissertation, which included lots of great insight but it is not a resource I would recommend to the casual reader. The information was presented in an academic form and is a great resource for those doing research for their own projects. I needed it for research purposes but found the reading very dry.

[K. Counihan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Crime Critique of Dime Novels and Detective Roots

Not for someone looking for a story. This is more of a scholarly approach taking a look at American Dime Novels and Detective roots. Good if you are interested in the subject matter. A plus rating as a resource book, good bibliography, beware the price is high.