Murder and Mayhem @ Your Library: Crime Fiction Readers’ Advisory

1. Murder and Mayhem @ Your Library: Crime Fiction Readers’ Advisory Presented for Innovation Experts September 20,2011 1-4 pm Becky Siegel Spratford bspratford@hotmail.com http://raforall.blogspot.com

2. Just the Facts • “Crime is terribly revealing. Try and vary your methods as you will, your tastes, your habits, your attitude of mind, and your soul is revealed by your actions.” -- Agatha Christie • “I think to be driven to want to kill must be such a terrible burden.” -- Ruth Rendell

3. The Line-Up • 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

4. Just the Facts: RA Best Practices • 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.

5. Collecting Clues: How Can I Read Everything? • 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.

6. What is Crime Fiction? • Definitions (from Trott’s 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

7. Crime Defined 2 • 1950s • Dashiell Hammett • Raymond Chandler • Mickey Spillane • Ross MacDonald • Police Procdeural • Hilary Waugh • J.J. Marric • Ed McBain

8. Crime Define 3 • 1970s and 80s: Women and Minorities • Marcia Muller • Sue Grafton • Gar Anthony Haywood • Joseph Hansen and Richard Steveson • Sara Paretsky

9. Crime Defined 4 • Genres We Will Consider • Mystery • Suspense and Romantic Suspense • Thriller • Adventure • Psychological Suspense • Nonfiction: True Crime • Formats: Audio and Graphic Novels • Further Crime Resources: Handout

10. Setting the Scene of the Crime • 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

11. General Crime Fiction Appeal Continued • 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 Saylor’s Gordianus the Finder) to the future (J.D. Robb’s Eve Dallas) • Readers may crave a certain frame • The tone, style and language run the gamut • Series are a huge appeal factor

12. In the Box • 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

13. Stop, You’re Killing Me!The Appeal of Mystery • 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

14. Case Files: Mystery Subgenres • Amateur detective (including but not limited to cozy) • Classics • Historical • International • Police Procedural • Police Detective • Private Investigator • Humorous

15. Mystery Key Authors • Michael Connelly • Diane Mott Davidson • Henning Mankell • Louise Penny • Jacqueline Winspear

16. Mystery: Other Authors to Know • Nevada Barr • Janet Evanovich • Donna Leon • P.D. James • Anne Perry • Elizabeth Peters • Peter Robinson • C.J. Box • Each Library will have specific authors who are locally popular • And don’t forget “classic” (dead) authors. I have particular luck with: • Agatha Christie • Dashiell Hammett • Robert Parker • Rex Stout

17. Mystery Trends and Resources • 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

18. Suspense: Mystery’s Step-Sister • 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

19. Suspense Subgenres • Not really subgenres but nuances • Soft Suspense – Mary Higgins Clark • Harder-edged suspense – James Patterson, Jeffrey Deaver, John Sandford • Romantic Suspense

20. Suspense Authors Suspense Romantic Suspense Christine Feehan Iris Johansen Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick/Jayne Castle J.D. Robb /Nora Roberts Lauren Willig • Lee Child • Harlan Coben • Lisa Gardner • Tess Gerritsen • Karin Slaughter

21. Suspense: Other Authors to Know • 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 (FBI Series) • Suzanne Brockman

22. Suspense Trends and Resources • Stalking, Stalking, Stalking • More graphic and bloody • Lots of views into the “bad guy’s” 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

23. Thrillers Subgenres • Legal Thriller • Medical/Forensic Thriller • Techno Thriller • Espionage/Terrorism Thriller • Crime/Caper Thriller • Conspiracy Thriller • Financial/Corporate Thriller • Bio/Eco Thriller • Political Thriller • Supernatural Thriller

24. Thrillers Authors • David Baldacci • Linda A. Fairstein • Mira Grant • Carl Hiaasen • Daniel Silva

25. Thriller: Other Authors to Know • Robin Cook • John Grisham • John LeCarre • Alan Furst • Lisa Scottoline • Brad Meltzer • Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger Series) • Continued Series • Robert Ludlum • Ian Fleming

26. Thrillers Trends and Resources • Terrorism • TV shows (All of those legal dramas) • Ancient Conspiracies catching up to Contemporary • Lots of Nonfiction Crossovers to think about • Resources: Handout

27. Adventure • 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

28. Adventure Authors • 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

29. Adventure Trends • Thriller is slowly absorbing traditional adventure which is increasing its crossover appeal with crime fiction fans • More women readers • True Adventure • Resources on Handout

30. Psychological Suspense • 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

31. Psychological Suspense Authors • Peter Abrahams • Carol Goodman • Jeff Lindsay • Chelsea Cain • Ruth Rendell • New Names To Watch: • Gillian Flynn • S.J. Watson

32. Psychological Suspense: More Authors • 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 Dan Chaon • A Simple Plan by Scott Smith • The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

33. Psychological Suspense Tips &Trends • 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

34. Nonfiction for Crime Fans • 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 Blood by Capote started the narrative nonfiction genre

35. True Crime Authors of Note • Ann Rule • John Douglas • Diane Fanning • Joe McGinniss • Robert Graysmith • Vincent Bugliosi • James B. Stewart • James Swanson • Erik Larson

36. True Crime:Types, Trends, and Awards • Types • Forensic, journalistic, bio/autobio, famous/infamous • FBI, police, reporters, lawyers, mafia…pov 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)

37. Audio and Graphic Novels • Mystery and Suspense work well on audio • Tension builds slower • Can’t skip ahead as easily • Patrons will cross genres more with audio • Some of the best readers ply trade here • Don’t forget that superheroes fight crime • Frank Miller and Alan Moore do more sophisticated GNs for crime fans

38. The Holding Cell:Crime Fiction Collection Development • Don’t 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

39. Bring Out Your Dead:Crime Fiction Marketing • 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 You’re 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

40. Sure Bet Investigative Tales • Erik Larson – Devil in the White City • Ann Rule – The Stranger Beside Me • HarlenCoben – 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