Description

Book Synopsis

In 1972, in an attempt to elevate the stature of the crime novel, influential crime writer and critic Julian Symons cast numerous Golden Age detective fiction writers into literary perdition as Humdrums, condemning their focus on puzzle plots over stylish writing and explorations of character, setting and theme. This volume explores the works of three prominent British Humdrums--Cecil John Charles Street, Freeman Wills Crofts, and Alfred Walter Stewart--revealing their work to be more complex, as puzzles and as social documents, than Symons allowed. By championing the intrinsic merit of these mystery writers, the study demonstrates that reintegrating the Humdrums into mystery genre studies provides a fuller understanding of the Golden Age of detective fiction and its aftermath.

Masters of the Humdrum Mystery

    Product form

    £27.54

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £28.99 – you save £1.45 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Wed 24 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback by Curt Evans

    Out of stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Masters of the Humdrum Mystery by Curt Evans

      Publisher: McFarland & Company
      Publication Date: 6/15/2012 12:00:00 AM
      ISBN13: 9780786470242, 978-0786470242
      ISBN10: 0786470240

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      In 1972, in an attempt to elevate the stature of the crime novel, influential crime writer and critic Julian Symons cast numerous Golden Age detective fiction writers into literary perdition as Humdrums, condemning their focus on puzzle plots over stylish writing and explorations of character, setting and theme. This volume explores the works of three prominent British Humdrums--Cecil John Charles Street, Freeman Wills Crofts, and Alfred Walter Stewart--revealing their work to be more complex, as puzzles and as social documents, than Symons allowed. By championing the intrinsic merit of these mystery writers, the study demonstrates that reintegrating the Humdrums into mystery genre studies provides a fuller understanding of the Golden Age of detective fiction and its aftermath.

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account