This book takes a look at the evolution of crime fiction. Considering 'criminography' as a system of inter-related sub-genres, it explores the connections between modes of literature such as revenge tragedies, the gothic and anarchist fiction, while taking into account the influence of pseudo-sciences such as mesmerism and criminal anthropology.

Autorentext
MAURIZIO ASCARI is Senior Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Bologna, Italy. His publications include books and essays on crime fiction, anarchist fiction, the formation of the literary canon and travel writing.

Inhalt
Acknowledgements Introduction Revising the Canon of Crime and Detection PART I: SUPERNATURAL AND GOTHIC Detection Before Detection Persecution and Omniscience Victorian Ghosts and Revengers Pseudo-Sciences and the Occult PART II: SENSATIONAL The Language of Auguste Dupin On the Sensational in Literature London as a 'Heart of Darkness' The Rhetoric of Atavism and Degeneration The Age of Formula Fiction Bibliography Index