Thursday, May 14, 2015

Murder Mystery History at the library

Image result for mystery books clipart
Tonight begins a six-week course at my public library entitled Murder Mystery History: An Examination of the Whodunnit Genre. It is free (we love free) and is offered as part of the library's short-course program. There have been other courses on architecture, the origins of modern science, and classical music. 

Really, my library is quite brilliant to think of this. (OK, I know a library can't think, but you know what I mean.)

I have signed up and look forward to this overview of murder mystery fiction (and am hoping for an extensive reading list) taught by the provost of the community and technical college here. According to the LFPL website, the instructor has multiple degrees in English and I hope at least one degree in Mystery. 

More to follow after I see what this 'body in the library' has to reveal. 

8 comments:

  1. Lucky dog! I wish I could go, too. I hope you'll post the list of books you find after taking the course.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I definitely will be posting about this course, Joan. The first class was lots of fun. The instructor is funny and knows her stuff.

      Delete
  2. Awesome idea! That should be an interesting course, and I look forward to hearing all about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The first class was great fun. We will be looking at The Golden Age, Hardboiled/Police Procedurals, Dark and Dangerous (not my cup of tea), Cozies, and Other (which I think will include books that offer more than just murder). The instructor has a wonderful sense of humor.

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Our first book, under the Golden Age, is "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie which I recently read. And apt one to begin with as I am having trouble locating a copy - and still there are none?

      Delete
  4. Belle, while it is not a genre that I read (except for Sherlock Holmes) I recall hearing a discussion on BBC some years ago as to who in the west "invented" the detective story as we know it today; Poe, Charles Dickens (Bleak House?) or Wilkie Collins? I forget if there was a consensus, it would be interesting to hear your opinions in a posting when you get into it...yes..."free" is very good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, Tullik, you are spot on as usual. The instructor named Poe (his short stories with Detective Dupin) and Bleak House (Inspector Bucket) as the first. She is not a big fan of Sherlock Holmes (which caused quite a stir among the attendees!) There was no mention of Wilkie Collins. I will have to ask her about that...Stay tuned for more reports.

      Delete