Taking Detective Stories Seriously: The Collected Crime Reviews of Dorothy L. Sayers

A delightful volume for the student or fan of classical detective fiction. Sayers's reviews are incisive without being cruel, and not only avoid the crime of 'spoilers' but criticizes the publishers who allow cover copy or illustrations to serve as such. Sayers is severe on the overused devise as

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well as on overwrought language. She is slightly put off by the wilder sort of thriller in which non-stop action substitutes for actual plot as well as on the dubious legality of certain American detectives. How does Perry Mason get away with his tricks? Alas, many of the books reviewed will be difficult to locate, no matter how enticing the review. However this volume contains a helpful introduction and commentary as well as an index by author of the books reviewed. The reviews were originally published between 1933 and 1937, with one review of a biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle from 1949.

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