Murder Ink: The Mystery Reader's Companion

by Dilys Winn (Editor)

For mystery addicts there are answers to questions that have tantalized readers for years: Who wrote the most mysteries? Who used the most pseudonyms? Which has more murders, Cambridge or Oxford? (Did Harvard have a homicide, too?) Where did the term "red herrings" originate? Who drank more — Spade, Archer, or Marlowe? Exactly how many little grey cells did Poirot have? Who is the biggest snob — Peter Wimsey or Philo Vance? And finally, the great debate — who is better at disposing of the body, the English or the Americans?

For mystery novices there is: the history of the mystery from Poe to the present; a subject guide to mysteries; the ten most overrated mystery stories of all time; how to behave at a mystery writer's autograph party; lists of the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winners who wrote mysteries.

For true crime buffs there are articles on every aspect of forensics, from dentistry to anthropology; confessions of hangmen and assistant DAs; tailing techniques of a private eye and memoirs of a house dick; visits to the barrister's wigmaker and to Scotland Yard's Black Museum; tours to mystery locations in New York and London.

Over 150 original, entertaining, and illustrated articles by eminent mystery writers, teachers, psychiatrists, scientists, ex-spies, and fans in totally unrelated fields make MURDER INK the last word about murder fiction.

Genres: Mystery, Nonfiction, Reference, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Books About Books, History

532 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Dilys Winn was an Irish author. She was born in Dublin, Ireland but moved to the USA when she was only one year old with her family in 1940. She graduated from the Baldwin School in Philadelphia and Pembroke College, afterward, she landed a job as an advertising copywriter.

She founded Mystery Ink. in 1972, America's first bookstore devoted solely to the mystery genre, she sold the bookstore in 1975 to free up time to work on a tome of essays and opinions on mystery fiction, which still remains a favorite in the mystery genre today.

in the 90s Winn moved to West Keys, Florida and opened up her second bookstore, Miss Marple’s Parlour, and began reviewing mystery stories for Kirkus Reviews, she had hundreds of reviews under her belt before she retired in 2013.

Reviews

[Jill H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fun for the mystery lover! This book, compiled by the owner of the famous NYC mystery book store, Murder Ink, is a collection of short essays from authors, fans, and editors about everything mystery........from mystery organizations through Poirot's death, how to avoid being poisoned, blunt instruments as murder weapons, and laundering money. All essays are based on information taken from famous (and not so famous) mystery literature. It is irreverent, fact filled, and sometimes really funny. There is an updated version available but I am satisfied with this first edition of the book which is right up the alley of anyone who loves mysteries and maybe even by those who don't.

[Gwen - Chew & Digest Books - · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love classic mysteries, try to get your hands on a copy of this. It was full of laughs, interesting tidbits, and oh my gosh, the rabbit holes I have been down. It's full of small pieces from authors, real forensic scientists, random people that use pseudonyms and more.

I know have pages and pages of notepaper with lists of books and authors to read, enough to keep me busy forever if I choose!

Hoping that Dilys would lead the charge for an updated version, I googled even her and found that sadly, she passed away in 2016.

Side Note: There was an article from the former Chief Medical Examiner, whom I will not name since he is now an author and TV personality about Dracula. In it, he says that Stoker was a Postal Clerk. This got my ire up because, while a Postal Clerk is a noble profession Stoker never was one and was, in fact, such a workaholic managing both the Lyceum Theater and the famous actor at the time, Henry Irving, that it's a wonder that he was able to produce a book at all!

I got so ready to rant and defend a fellow Irishman that I almost sent said author a message. Seeing that the piece was small and it was from 1977, cooler minds did prevail and I deleted the email. There are times that I'm both amazed and embarrassed by what gets my back up and let me tell you, once I catch a factual error like that in a book or article of nonfiction, I do not forget it. Authors be warned!

[Elizabeth Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found an old dusty copy of this for free at a yardsale, then later accidently bought it at a bookstore. WORTH IT! Note: Too big to be read in the bath.

[Herb Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a delight and belongs on every mystery fan's bookshelf.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought a copy way back when this first came out in 1977. Agatha Christie had just passed, and this is as much a homage to her as to many other mystery writers. It's a great reference book for looking up pre-1977 mystery books/authors and I've had it on my shelves now for 40 (!!!) years, visiting it every now and then: like staying in touch with an old friend.

[J Grimsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book of articles which I enjoyed. To display my prejudice it emphasises American mysteries and not British or not enough of the rest of the world. Next it does have some spoilers in it - beware the article by P D James. What it does do is to provide lists of mysteries which you might like to read. E.G lists of Gardening Locked rooms and poisoning who dun it's

[Leew49 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes serious, often whimsical, MURDER INK is an entertaining collection of essays on the subject of mystery novels. It's a bit outdated, but I enjoyed the look back at earlier writers.

[Mdbeltrano · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like reading mysteries, you'll like this book about mystery authors, fun factoids, and interesting crime articles.

[Cory Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hardly used copy was found upon a thrift store shelf, and as I asked myself why someone would throw it away, I took a chance on it. Boy, did it feed an appetite. A true Reader’s Companion.

[Julie Sandel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good browse.

[Millicent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun, but dated.

[Sammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the strangest books I have read in a long time! This was a secondhand-store find which I bought only because a friend asked me to read several crime fiction novels this coming year, and it seemed apt.

I have learned that Dilys Winn was the founder of a hugely popular book store in the USA, Mystery Ink. This sizeable tome (500 oversized pages, densely packed) contains contributions from scores of mystery writers, detectives, and aficionados of all flavours. The pieces have a decided 'quirk' factor, with the stated aim of being a key source for both readers and writers of crime fiction. Selections include hierarchies of the police on both sides of the pond, notes on the clergy in crime fiction, a 'translation' of hard-boiled detective lit into regular English, pieces on the butler, disguises, a walking tour of country England and key New York sites, notes on editing, important texts from throughout history, room plans, explorations of amusing detectives, guidelines for dressing like Miss Marple, thoughts on the physiology of reading, musings on cracking codes, narratives of the evolution of certain tropes, and much more. Scattered throughout are quizzes, pocket mysteries, and even an essay on gardening! The pages are also littered with quotes from celebrities and notable notables, and such novelty items as a list of "don'ts" should one wish to survive a murder mystery novel. Sections range from a single text box to 5 or 6 pages.

The volume was apparently updated in the 1980s (this is the original text from 1977) but, regardless, after all this time the text is outdated in several ways. Yet it's still a rich read for those of us who grew up with crime fiction. The book is also a neat 'jumping off point', introducing us throughout its pages to countless authors and detectives. It serves as a useful bibliography of crime lit from the 18th century to the 1970s. (Check also if your copy contains a sealed 'answer booklet' stuck on the last page! Mine did - and still unopened - which I suspect is a minor miracle!

For interest's sake, a few of the essay titles below:
"Tempest in a Teapot: the Care and Brewing of Tea"
"An Eyewitness Account of Holmes"
"Marxism and the Mystery"
"Wiretapping: A Session with a Debugger"
"Waylaid in Lonely Places"
"Verses for Hearses, by Isaac Asimov"
"The Busiest Morgue in the World"
"Creating a Mystery Game"

Murder Ink is not the definitive text on crime fiction; its deliberately 'messy' vibe means that you'll want to seek out more structured guides if you like lists that aim for completion. But it's a book like no other, the kind of work devised by a particular mind, and probably something that no mind would commit to in 2020, when a blog would suit their purpose just as much (but with less style). It's no surprise to me that Goodreads reviews suggest this book is cherished by those who discovered it - whether 45 years ago or last week.

[Judith Shadford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second reading. I bought the initial edition in 1977 when it came out. It was thrilling then, interesting now. So much has changed in the mystery-crime genre, so many first-rate writers, shattering all the old formulae. But Murder Ink, and its compatriot, Murderess Ink (which I'll reread next) are pretty valuable historical accounts. And I think they noted the rise of the genre in America, the mystery bookstores, resurgence of Dorothy L Sayers, maybe even tilted decision-making at PBS in introducing MYSTERY (and the art of Edward Gorey). So, yeay, Dilys Winn.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing collection of works about mystery writing. It tells readers all they ever would want to know about the genre. I also noticed that it has been updated and I will absolutely HAVE to get the update. This is a "must read" for anyone who even remotely likes mystery writing. Keep the faith.

[Kevin Fitzsimmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book so much I keep it on a shelf next to my bible. A great compilation of articles and illustrations about the mystery genre that never fails to entertain me. Published over thirty years ago an update is desperately needed, but the information here is solid enough that it provides a firm grounding in the various mystery genres.

[John Peel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely delightful, funny and informative trip through pretty much everything you'll need to know to read (or write)mystery stories. It includes a short piece by a friend of mine, Bill Vande Water, on the love of mysteries set at Christmas.

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection of articles about mystery writers. Talks about thier stle and motivation as well as what made the writers interesting. Recommended read.

[Brendan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this a long time ago