Awards

• Runner-up for Edgar Allan Poe Award—Mystery Writers of America 2020 (United States)

Overview

Combining elements of medievalism, the historical novel and the detective narrative, medieval crime fiction capitalizes upon the appeal of all three--the most famous examples being Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose (one of the best-selling books ever published) and Ellis Peters' endearing Brother Cadfael series. Hundreds of other novels and series fill out the genre, in settings ranging from the so-called Celtic Enlightenment in seventh-century Ireland to the ruthless Inquisition in fourteenth-century France to the mean streets of medieval London. The detectives are an eclectic group, including weary ex-crusaders, former Knights Templar, enterprising monks and nuns, and historical poets such as Geoffrey Chaucer. This book investigates the enduring popularity of the largely unexamined genre and explores its social, cultural and political contexts.

Full Product Details

9781476666716

Table of Contents

Reviews

Anne McKendry's delightful and thorough analysis of [Medieval crime fiction] provides both a historical background to the genre and an incredibly useful overview of authors and themes that have emerged with in the field of 'narratives featuring crime and mystery' that are 'solved by a detective during the European Middle Ages.'...very engaging --Smart--Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching Very useful survey.... Readable style and forthright critical assessments make this a good reference --Mystery Scene.

Very useful survey.... Readable style and forthright critical assessments make this a good reference --Mystery Scene.

Author Information

Anne McKendry is a Research Associate at the University of Melbourne. She has published on medieval literature and medievalist popular culture.

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