Hard-Boiled
The tough and gritty mystery, one that usually incorporates violence and graphic descriptions of crime scenes. The typical storyline involves either the commission or the detection of a crime. (The protagonist might be the detective or the criminal.) The narrative style is usually terse and colloquial, often told from the first-person perspective. The stories tend to emphasize character more than plot.
Notable hard-boiled writers include Raymond Chandler, Lawrence Block, Michael Connelly, and Robert B. Parker.
Soft-Boiled
The gentler mystery, although it still has some bite to it. There may be some violence and a hint of blood, but the description of it will never be explicit. Sometimes the stories will take on a somewhat sinister overtone, but there are often comic moments throughout.
Notable soft-boiled writers include Janet Evanovich and Sharyn McCrumb.
Cozy
The lightest style of mystery, one without blood and gore, although they almost always involve a nice, "civilized" murder. The sleuth is nearly always a "reluctant" amateur. The protagonist will never be the criminal. Murders generally take place close to home.
Notable cozy writers include Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers.
Police Procedurals
A mystery that offers a step-by-step, in-depth look at the personnel and methods used in the investigation of a crime, including detailed information about procedures. The protagonist is usually a police officer, although s/he is sometimes a private detective. The stories tend to balance character and plot.
Notable police procedural writers include Ed McBain, P.D. James, Joseph Wambaugh, and Tony Hillerman.
Posted by David J. Montgomery in Reference | Permalink
Comments
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