The Crime Fiction Handbook

“Messent's readings are always perceptive and his book offers an excellent introduction to a diverse genre.”  (The Guardian, 8 March 2013)

“The Crime Fiction Handbook is nevertheless a good introduction to a prolific genre.”  (Times Literary Supplement, 1 March 2013)

“Those interested in the more arcane byways of crime fiction will find this concise but intelligent volume invaluable, with its academic (but accessible) analyses of some of the key texts in the genre. What is perhaps the most valuable aspect of the book is the fact that Peter Messent has managed to unearth new insights into this much written-about subject — no easy task in the 21st century, when a considerable amount of analysis of the field (including, in a modest way, by this writer) is so endemic.”  (Crime Time, 27 February 2013)

'An outstanding piece of work that deserves a wide audience. Peter Messent’s The Crime Fiction Handbook is essential reading. I can imagine no better introduction to the genre.’
—David Schmid, University at Buffalo