Friday, April 20, 2012

So This Is How It Started...!

As many of you know, I love a good mystery.

It's interesting to find out about the story that is considered to be the very first mystery story published! It doesn't surprise me at all that the author of that first tale was none other than Edgar Allen Poe!

Apr 20, 1841:
First detective story is published

Edgar Allen Poe's story, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, first appears in Graham's Lady's and Gentleman's Magazine. The tale is generally considered to be the first detective story.

The story describes the extraordinary "analytical power" used by Monsieur C. Auguste Dupin to solve a series of murders in Paris. Like the later Sherlock Holmes stories, the tale is narrated by the detective's roommate.

Following the publication of Poe's story, detective stories began to grow into novels and English novelist Wilkie Collins published a detective novel, The Moonstone, in 1868. In Collins' story, the methodical Sergeant Cuff searches for the criminal who stole a sacred Indian moonstone. The novel includes several features of the typical modern mystery, including red herrings, false alibis, and climactic scenes.

The greatest fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes, first appeared in 1887, in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel A Study in Scarlet. The cozy English mystery novel became popularized with Agatha Christie's Miss Marple series in the 1920s, when other detectives like Lord Peter Wimsey and Ellery Queen were also becoming popular. In the 1930s, sometimes called the golden age of detective stories, the noir detective novel became the mainstay of writers like Dashiell Hammet, Raymond Chandler, and Mickey Spillane. Tough female detectives such as Kinsey Millhone and V.I. Warshawski became popular in the 1980s.

It's always fun to me to find out the origin of something I like. This is definitely one of those times!

Coffee out on the patio this morning.

12 comments:

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Like yourself, we also enjoy mysteries and Grenville is a big fan of Sherlock Holmes, but not me. I'm currently reading more current mystery writers, like Elizabeth George...and you?

BBC said...

I prefer westerns with good heroes in them.

Most women are a mystery to me, I've taken to avoiding close relationships with them.

Sixbears said...

Poe started it. I didn't know that.

My wife is the consumer of mysteries in my house -everything from the old classics to modern who done its.

linda m said...

I learned something new today. Had no idea Poe was the first. I love a good mystery. I really enjoyed the Dan Brown mysteries. Thanks for the info.

JO said...

Ive read a few Sherlock books and I loved the little films PBS used to have on. Miss Marple, Shirlock Holmes and a few others. They don't show them anymore or they are on when I am asleep. Thanks for the interesting post, I didn't know that about Poe.

Coffee on the patio sounds great the mornings here are still a little chilly. But I'm happy to be here.

HermitJim said...

Hey Beatrice...
Like Grenville, I'm a big fan of Sherlock Holmes. However, I find many of the early British writers can create a fine mystery.

Modern or old, a mystery story just seems to fire up my imagination! I used to love "Murder She Wrote" on television!

So many books, so little time!

Thanks so much for coming over today!


Hey BBC...
There is certainly nothing wrong with a good western! My Dad used to be a really big fan or Zane Grey!

I do know what you mean about women! I love them all, but sure don't understand them!

Another mystery!

Thanks for coming over today!


Hey Sixbears...
Seems ol' Poe really started something!

I like both the old and the new writers as well! Whatever keeps me guessing!

Thanks for coming by today, my friend!


Hey Linda...
Sure glad to know you like Brown. Another good writer I like pretty well is Patterson!

Gosh, my list just gets longer and longer!

Thanks so much for coming by today!


Hey JoJo...
Turner classic movies still show quite a few of the older mystery movies. You might give them a try!

Also, HuluPlus has some of the older television shows and movies, but you almost need a Roku to stream them!

Thanks, sweetie, for coming by today!

Anonymous said...

HI Jim, Thanks for the post.. It made me look around my house at how many books I have (collecting dust and what-nots) and I looked at my computer and saw how many saved "Audio books".. thanks for the next round of coffee..by the way, I bought it and ground it and savored it.. Thanks for my wake-up smile again today... <3 Sella

Dizzy-Dick said...

If a book doesn't have a mystery to solve or one solved, it isn't worth reading, unless it is a comedy.

HermitJim said...

Hey Sella...
I'm thinking more and more about getting an e-book reader just to have more room for book storage!

To make thinks worse, the local library is having a bagged book sale! Great! Just what I need, right?

I really appreciate the visit today!


Hey Dizzy...
Sure does make the reading a lot more enjoyable, doesn't it?

You take care, buddy! Thanks for dropping in today!

Unknown said...

You made me think of a radio program (I Love A Mystery )an Mercedes McCambridge.

commoncents said...

Great Post Jim! You know I always enjoy visiting!!

Steve
Common Cents
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com

HermitJim said...

Hey Ted...
I haven't heard that particular show.

Thanks for coming over today!


Hey Steve...
Glad you liked it. Also glad that you were able to come by today!

Thanks again!