crime fiction presentation
TRANSCRIPT
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Presented for Innovation Experts
September 20,2011
1-4 pm
Becky Siegel Spratford
http://raforall.blogspot.com
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Crime is terribly revealing. Try and vary your methods as you
will, your tastes, your habits, your attitude of mind, and yoursoul is revealed by your actions. -- Agatha Christie
I think to be driven to want to kill must be such a terrible
burden. -- Ruth Rendell
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Intro to RA Principles and Practices
What is Crime Fiction? Appeal and RA Interview Tips
Genre, Subgenre and Format Distinctions
Whole Collection RA
Key Authors, Resources, and Trends
Collection Development
Marketing Tips for Crime Fiction
Lists and Display Ideas
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This class assumes an understanding of appeal factors and
basic RA interviewing skills. Vocabulary of Appeal
Match books by appeal and not plot
Understand your own reader profile Understand genre classification
Genres are not separated by walls.
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You cannot read everything!
Speed Reading by Georgine Olson but available in this book.
Read in varied genres; look for connections
Genre a Day Reviews for appeal
Magazines, newspapers and other popular media. Read what
your patrons are reading.
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Definitions (from Trotts Read On Crime Fiction; see handout)
Classic Authors mentioned Edgar Allen Poe
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
G. K. Chesterton
Agatha Christie
Dorothy Sayers
Ellery Queen
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1950s
Dashiell Hammett Raymond Chandler
Mickey Spillane
Ross MacDonald
Police Procdeural Hilary Waugh
J.J. Marric
Ed McBain
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1970s and 80s: Women and Minorities
Marcia Muller Sue Grafton
Gar Anthony Haywood
Joseph Hansen and Richard Steveson
Sara Paretsky
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The Appeal of Crime Fiction (Generalizations)
Fast paced and engrossing often because of the compressed time frame Identification with the investigator, but other characters can range from
stereotypical to eccentric and unique; series characters also common
Often multiple points of view with the hero and villain
Investigative elements are key
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Plots can range from story centered to character centered, but all require
plot twists and a resolved if not closed ending
Can contain violence and strong language, but there have never been more
cozy options.
The setting can range from ancient times (Steven Saylors Gordianus the
Finder) to the future (J.D. Robbs Eve Dallas)
Readers may crave a certain frame
The tone, style and language run the gamut
Series are a huge appeal factor
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The RA Conversation for Crime Fiction Readers
Type of investigator Subgenre considerations
Historical (time and place) and Cozy are big
Level of violence
Tone, style, language, frame Character vs. plot
TV or Movie comparisons
Fiction vs. Nonfiction
Format preferences
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Puzzles with clues provided
Crime, generally murder, solved by investigator Battle of wits (investigator v. villain; investigator v. reader)
Good v. evil
Series characters Stories are intricately plotted
Full spectrum of pacing
Resolved, if not always closed, ending Judge a book by its cover
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Amateur detective (including but not limited to cozy)
Classics Historical
International
Police Procedural Police Detective
Private Investigator
Humorous
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Michael Connelly
Diane Mott Davidson Henning Mankell
Louise Penny
Jacqueline Winspear
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Nevada Barr
Janet Evanovich Donna Leon
P.D. James Anne Perry
Elizabeth Peters
Peter Robinson C.J. Box
Each Library will havespecific authors who are
locally popular And dont forget classic
(dead) authors. I have
particular luck with: Agatha Christie
Dashiell Hammett
Robert Parker
Rex Stout
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Special Interests
More development of the main character Cozy and Humorous Mysteries are huge
Intelligent Cozies new sub-sub genre?
Not much actual mystery
Historical
Especially WWI to 1960
Blurring between suspense and mystery within novels and
authors writing both Paranormal
Resources: Handout
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A plot in which tension builds; menacing atmosphere permeates
throughout (prologue) Multiple points of view: hero and villain
Compressed time frame
Protagonist in peril
Twists
Fast paced, resourceful heroes
Good v. evil
Closed happy ending
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Not really subgenres but nuances
Soft Suspense Mary Higgins Clark Harder-edged suspense James Patterson, Jeffrey Deaver,
John Sandford
Romantic Suspense
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Suspense
Lee Child Harlan Coben
Lisa Gardner
Tess Gerritsen Karin Slaughter
Romantic Suspense
Christine Feehan Iris Johansen
Jayne Ann Krentz/AmandaQuick/Jayne Castle
J.D. Robb /Nora Roberts
Lauren Willig
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Suspense
Names 2 slides ago Tami Hoag
Julie Garwood
Erica Spindler Tana French
Kate Atkinson
Stieg Larsson
John Hart
Romantic Suspense
Sandra Brown Linda Howard
Karen Robards
Catherine Coulter (FBISeries)
Suzanne Brockman
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Stalking, Stalking, Stalking
More graphic and bloody Lots of views into the bad guys mind
Used to only be stand alone; now lots of series.
Supernatural and Literary options on the rise More investigative; blurring into Mystery
Established Romantic Suspense moving to Suspense while new
Rom. Suspense coming from Romance
Resources: Handout
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Legal Thriller
Medical/Forensic Thriller Techno Thriller
Espionage/Terrorism
Thriller
Crime/Caper Thriller
Conspiracy Thriller
Financial/CorporateThriller
Bio/Eco Thriller
Political Thriller
Supernatural Thriller
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David Baldacci
Linda A. Fairstein
Mira Grant
Carl Hiaasen
Daniel Silva
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Robin Cook
John Grisham John LeCarre
Alan Furst
Lisa Scottoline Brad Meltzer
Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger Series)
Continued Series Robert Ludlum
Ian Fleming
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Terrorism
TV shows (All of those legal dramas) Ancient Conspiracies catching up to Contemporary
Lots of Nonfiction Crossovers to think about
Resources: Handout
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Traditional Adventure will not be as appealing to your Mystery
readers, but genre is changing
What you need to look for
Adventure can be more over the top than other genres solves crime and
saves world
Exotic locales or military settings Not much characterization; fast paced and action oriented with a happy
ending
Clues not always there; outrageous solutions
Sea-faring adventure does not fit Crime appeals
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Adventure authors who may appeal to Crime Fiction readers:
Dan Brown
Clive Cussler
Jack DuBrul
WEB Griffin (now with son)
Jack Higgins
Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Matthew Reilly
James Rollins
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Thriller is slowly absorbing traditional adventure which is
increasing its crossover appeal with crime fiction fans
More women readers
True Adventure
Resources on Handout
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A mix of Mystery, Thriller, and Horror
Tension derived from mental fears Produce a chill and play with our minds
Claustrophobic worlds; unease
Literary style; lots of twists Character and mood at forefront
Endings unresolved and could be unhappy
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Peter Abrahams
Carol Goodman Jeff Lindsay
Chelsea Cain
Ruth Rendell New Names To Watch:
Gillian Flynn
S.J. Watson
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Alfred Hitchcock
Thomas H. Cook Frances Fyfield
Patricia Highsmith Dean Koontz
Thomas Harris
Val McDermid
Minette Walters Single titles of note:
Full Dark, No Stars by
Stephen King Await Your Reply by DanChaon
A Simple Plan by ScottSmith
The Little Stranger bySarah Waters
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Used to be only standalone; now lots of series
More twisted and violent Hero is not all good like in suspense; has dark issues
Many traditional mystery writers and literary fiction authors are
exploring this genre
Do natural language searches to find titles
Some sources classify it as psychological horror
Specific resources are limited: Handout
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True Crime
May be more appealing to some fans-- Truth
Killer caught and brought to justice
Date quickly
No detail spared
Safe exploration of dark side of humanity Readalikes for authors and specific titles
In Cold Bloodby Capote started the narrative nonfiction genre
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Ann Rule
John Douglas Diane Fanning
Joe McGinniss
Robert Graysmith Vincent Bugliosi
James B. Stewart
James Swanson Erik Larson
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Types
Forensic, journalistic, bio/autobio, famous/infamous
FBI, police, reporters, lawyers, mafiapov is wide
Appeal: old books as good as new ones, maybe better
Trends
Whole Collection RA Readalikes for titles and authors
Compilations
Awards and Resources: Handout
Edgar and Dagger for True Crime (see Mystery)
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Mystery and Suspense work well on audio
Tension builds slower
Cant skip ahead as easily
Patrons will cross genres more with audio
Some of the best readers ply trade here
Dont forget that superheroes fight crime
Frank Miller and Alan Moore do more sophisticated GNs for
crime fans
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Dont forget: this is a part of Customer Service
Take pulse of your collection at least once a year What are your most popular titles/authors?
Where are you lacking?
Who is winning the awards?
What are the trends?
Keep shelves neat and clean
Replace classic and popular titles
Weed
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Merging Crime Collections
More space
Patron displeasure/education
Clearer catalog records and stickering
Display Ideas
Overlooked stars (Use Overbooked) Show off new popular subgenres (Use Stop Youre Killing Me)
Crime stories not from the mystery section
Sure bets (by title or author)
Use face out options whenever available Post series lists for most popular authors
Consider special paperback shelving, not just spinners
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Erik Larson Devil in the White City
Ann Rule The Stranger Beside Me
Harlen Coben Tell No One
Michael Connelly The Black Echo
Ruth Rendell 13 Steps Down
Mary Higgins Clark On the Street Where You Live
P.D. James A Taste for Death Diane Mott Davidson Dying for Chocolate
Nevada Barr Choose by location preference
Louise Penny Still Life