The Golden Age of Detective Fiction

While authors such as E.A. Poe and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle gave birth to the modern detective story, the Golden Age authors honed and polished it, giving it the shape and tone that we love best. For its fans, the Golden Age of detective fiction is the apex of the genre, embodying all of the important elements that make the form so appealing. It’s the combination of the atmosphere created in the novels, the complex puzzle that is solved mostly by sheer wit without the help of modern forensic science, and the nostalgia that keep people reading. While authors such as E.A. Poe and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle gave birth to the modern detective story, the Golden Age authors honed and polished it, giving it the shape and tone that we love best. For its fans, the Golden Age of detective fiction is the apex of the genre, embodying all of the important elements that make the form so appealing. It’s the combination of the atmosphere created in the novels, the complex puzzle that is solved mostly by sheer wit without the help of modern forensic science, and the nostalgia that keep people reading.

The Golden Age The Golden Age spanned the time period between WWI and WWII, after which the form began to decline. During the Golden Age the rules of fair play were introduced and the audience was invited to participate, to puzzle out the solution along with the detective.fair play The British authors were by far the masters of the genre, their plots frequently set in the heart of the English countryside or in London.

Fair Play Fair play rules are meant to benefit the reader. The idea is that readers should be able to solve the crime along with the detective, if their wits are sharp enough. The rules of fair play prevent the author from throwing in unforeseen surprises that would prevent readers from solving the mystery themselves. Basically the rules state that there must be no bizarre breaks or surprise solutions that are hidden from the reader until the end and that the reader must be in possession of all the clues; nothing should be withheld by the author. The criminal must be mentioned early on Supernatural solutions are ruled out Only one secret room or passage is allowed No undiscovered poisons are permitted The detective must not be helped by lucky accidents or intuitions The detective must not himself commit the crime Nor must he conceal clues from the reader The thoughts of the “Watson” must not be concealed There must be special warning of the use of twin brothers or doubles* Fair play rules are meant to benefit the reader. The idea is that readers should be able to solve the crime along with the detective, if their wits are sharp enough. The rules of fair play prevent the author from throwing in unforeseen surprises that would prevent readers from solving the mystery themselves. Basically the rules state that there must be no bizarre breaks or surprise solutions that are hidden from the reader until the end and that the reader must be in possession of all the clues; nothing should be withheld by the author. The criminal must be mentioned early on Supernatural solutions are ruled out Only one secret room or passage is allowed No undiscovered poisons are permitted The detective must not be helped by lucky accidents or intuitions The detective must not himself commit the crime Nor must he conceal clues from the reader The thoughts of the “Watson” must not be concealed There must be special warning of the use of twin brothers or doubles*

English Country House Mystery A mystery taking place in the country and at a private residence, usually a grand country manor. The crime nearly always occurs during a weekend house party (what better way to involve multiple suspects?) and with either a professional or amateur detective in attendance. The entire story is usually confined mainly to the house and its grounds and if anyone runs up to London (usually the detective, in order to check records or to have evidence tested) or goes into the local village it is only briefly mentioned. Quite often, particularly in Christie’s work, the detective returns to the house prepared to unmask the criminal in front of a pre-assembled audience. According to the “Rules of the House” set down by Thomas Godfrey, the house itself must have character (whether pleasant or dreary), ought to have some secrets and maybe even reports of ghosts, needs at least a few servants to vouch for people’s whereabouts at the time of the crime (Godfrey, 1995, p.xv).(Godfrey, 1995, p.xv) A mystery taking place in the country and at a private residence, usually a grand country manor. The crime nearly always occurs during a weekend house party (what better way to involve multiple suspects?) and with either a professional or amateur detective in attendance. The entire story is usually confined mainly to the house and its grounds and if anyone runs up to London (usually the detective, in order to check records or to have evidence tested) or goes into the local village it is only briefly mentioned. Quite often, particularly in Christie’s work, the detective returns to the house prepared to unmask the criminal in front of a pre-assembled audience. According to the “Rules of the House” set down by Thomas Godfrey, the house itself must have character (whether pleasant or dreary), ought to have some secrets and maybe even reports of ghosts, needs at least a few servants to vouch for people’s whereabouts at the time of the crime (Godfrey, 1995, p.xv).(Godfrey, 1995, p.xv)