JOURNAL ARTICLE

The Murder Game: Play, Puzzles and the Golden Age.

  • Published In: Publishers Weekly, 2025, v. 272, n. 45. P. 42 1 of 2

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 2

Abstract

The article reviews "The Murder Game: Play, Puzzles and the Golden Age," which examines the game-like qualities that contributed to the success of detective fiction from 1920 to 1945. The author discusses key characteristics of the genre, including puzzle-solving, a limited number of suspects, and surprise endings, while highlighting the rules established by writers like Ronald Knox and S.S. Van Dine, particularly the principle of "fair play." The text also explores narrative devices such as the game-within-a-game plot, exemplified by Agatha Christie's "Dead Man's Folly." Although the study offers a wealth of examples and a comprehensive history, it is noted for lacking a unifying argument and providing few new insights for murder mystery enthusiasts. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Publishers Weekly. 2025/11, Vol. 272, Issue 45, p42
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Literature and Writing
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0000-0019
  • Accession Number:189536782
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