Wartime influenced mystery novels in several ways. For one, it provided a backdrop of chaos and uncertainty. In many mystery novels, this setting added an extra layer of tension. For example, in 'Murder on the Orient Express', the political unrest of the time is felt in the background. The characters are from different places and carry their own stories influenced by the wider world situation. Also, wartime often led to a sense of paranoia, which mystery writers could use to great effect. In 'And Then There Were None', the isolation and the fear among the characters could be seen as a reflection of the wartime mentality.
Some well - known wartime mystery novels include 'The Thin Man' by Dashiell Hammett. It features a detective couple and is set in a post - war urban environment filled with various characters and secrets. 'A Judgement in Stone' by Ruth Rendell is another. It has a mystery at its core that unfolds against a backdrop of social and perhaps implicitly, wartime - influenced tensions. Also, 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' by John le Carré is a classic of the spy - mystery genre that delves deep into the world of espionage during the Cold War, which was a form of ongoing 'wartime' in terms of political and military standoffs.
They set high standards. 'The detection club novels' introduced complex and innovative plots. Writers in the club experimented with different narrative structures, which later became common in the mystery genre.
Wilkie Collins' novels often had complex plots with multiple narrators. This style influenced later mystery writers to play with different perspectives in their stories. In 'The Woman in White', the different viewpoints added to the mystery and suspense, and this technique has been adopted by many since.
1930s mystery novels laid the foundation for modern detective stories. They established many of the common tropes and character types. For example, the hard - boiled detective like Sam Spade in Dashiell Hammett's works influenced the tough, cynical detective archetype we often see today. The complex, convoluted plots full of red herrings, as seen in Agatha Christie's novels, are still used in modern detective stories to keep readers guessing.
Baudelaire was known for his exploration of the human psyche. Mystery novels often deal with the motives and secrets of characters. His works could have influenced mystery novelists to dig deeper into the psychological aspects of their characters. His complex use of language might also have inspired mystery writers to be more creative in their descriptions and plot - building, making the mystery more engaging and multi - layered.
The character archetypes in old radio mystery stories are still used today. Take the detective figure, who is smart and observant. This kind of character is very common in modern mystery novels, movies and TV shows. Also, the way old radio mystery stories ended with a big reveal has been carried over to modern works.
1940s murder mystery novels had a huge impact. For example, Agatha Christie's works from that era established many of the classic detective story tropes that are still used today, like the brilliant detective figure and the closed - room mystery concept. Her use of red herrings also influenced modern writers. Also, Dashiell Hammett's hard - boiled style in his 1940s novels introduced a more gritty and realistic take on detective stories, which can be seen in modern crime dramas.
Agatha Christie's novels were very influential. Her use of red herrings and complex plots made modern writers also focus on creating intricate storylines. Also, her characters like Poirot with their unique quirks inspired the creation of more interesting and diverse detective characters in modern detective stories.
One of the best is 'The Notebook' by Nicholas Sparks. It's set during a time that has the feel of a different era, and the love story between Noah and Allie is truly captivating. Their relationship endures through many challenges and separations, much like what might be faced during wartime.
One of the best wartime novels is 'All Quiet on the Western Front' by Erich Maria Remarque. It vividly depicts the horrors of World War I from the perspective of a German soldier. Another great one is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy, which not only shows the Napoleonic Wars but also delves into the lives, loves, and philosophies of the characters during that time. 'The Red Badge of Courage' by Stephen Crane is also a classic, exploring the psychological journey of a young soldier in the American Civil War.