The Secrets of Great Mystery and Suspense Fiction

Overview

Course No. 2442
Investigate the gripping history of mystery and suspense fiction with a renowned literature professor, and discover the fascinating evolution of this captivating genre.

From Sherlock Holmes to modern thrillers, this course explores how mystery and suspense fiction has captivated readers worldwide. Professor David Schmid of the University of Buffalo examines:

• The essential elements that define the genre
• How iconic characters like Hercule Poirot and Sam Spade evolved
• The social and cultural influences on mystery writing
• Diverse subgenres from cozy mysteries to Nordic noir

Video Lectures

1. Mystery Fiction’s Secret Formula (32 min)
   Explore the controversial origins and key components of early mysteries.
2. The Detective Is Born (33 min)
   Examine the flawed yet brilliant central figures of mystery fiction.
3. The Criminal (34 min)
   Analyze the cat-and-mouse games between law enforcement and offenders.
4. The Sidekick (33 min)
   Discover the pivotal roles of supporting characters like Dr. Watson.
5. Detecting Clues (33 min)
   Learn how clues help, hinder, and mislead both characters and readers.
6. Case Closed? The Problem with Solutions (35 min)
   Examine the art of crafting satisfying mystery resolutions.
7. The Locked Room (36 min)
   Study this classic puzzle-like mystery subgenre.
8. The Dime Novel (35 min)
   How 19th-century pulp fiction shaped modern suspense.
9. Murder in Cozy Places (34 min)
   The appeal of shocking crimes in seemingly safe environments.
10. Return of the Classic Detective (35 min)
    The Golden Age of detective fiction and hard-boiled crime stories.
11. The City Tests the Detective (32 min)
    How urban settings become characters in mystery fiction.
12. The Private Eye Opens (32 min)
    The distinct American contribution to detective fiction.
13. African American Mysteries (30 min)
    Exploring crime fiction through the lens of racial justice.
14. The Femme Fatale (33 min)
    The iconic and complex female character of noir fiction.
15. The Private Eye Evolves (30 min)
    Modern takes on detective characters like Lisbeth Salander.
16. Latino Detectives on the Border (29 min)
    Hispanic contributions to the mystery genre.
17. The Lady Detective (32 min)
    The history and evolution of female investigators.
18. Violence in Mystery Fiction (30 min)
    The role and evolution of violent content in the genre.
19. Psychopaths and Mind Hunters (32 min)
    The rise of psychological thrillers and criminal profiling.
20. Police Procedurals (32 min)
    From Maigret to modern crime scene investigations.
21. Native American Mysteries (29 min)
    Unique perspectives from indigenous writers and settings.
22. European Mystery Tradition (32 min)
    How European authors transformed American detective fiction.
23. Nordic Noir (30 min)
    The socially conscious Scandinavian crime fiction movement.
24. Global Mystery Traditions (33 min)
    Japanese, Latin American, and African contributions.
25. True Crime Connections (33 min)
    The relationship between factual crimes and fiction.
26. Historical Mysteries (30 min)
    Blending real events with fictional detective work.
27. Spies and Conspiracies (30 min)
    From James Bond to The Da Vinci Code.
28. Diverse Voices in Mystery (30 min)
    LGBTQ+ and female-centered mystery fiction.
29. Courtroom Dramas (31 min)
    When legal proceedings become the mystery.
30. Multimedia Adaptations (30 min)
    How mysteries transition across books, film, and TV.
31. The Future of Mystery (32 min)
    Modern experiments and the genre’s evolving nature.