THE DIME DETECTIVES A Comprehensive History of the Detective Fiction Pulps

Hardback. 1st US Edn. A comprehensive history of detective fiction pulp magazines from their 19th-century dime novel origins to their peak in the 1920s and 1930s, and decline by the 1950s. The author traces the evolution of the American private eye, spotlighting iconic magazines like 'Black Mask' and 'Dime Detective', and authors such as Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Erle Stanley Gardner. The book explores the gritty, wisecracking detective archetype born in these pulps, with chapters on key figures, quirky characters, and trends like hard-boiled and spicy detective stories. His engaging narrative, enriched with quotes from stories and historical context, avoids overly academic analysis, offering a lively account of the genre’s cultural impact - a valuable resource for fans of pulp fiction and detective literature. Illus., Bibliog. and Index. 248pp. 8vo. h/back. F. in F. protected dw.