The Detective Novel — S.S. Van Dine

Delve into the intricate world of the crime fiction genre as S. S. Van Dine provides an in-depth analysis and critique of what makes a great detective story.

In this essay, S. S. Van Dine examines the various elements that make a brilliant detective novel, including plot, characterisation, and setting. Exploring the works of famous detective novelists such as Edgar Allan Poe, Arthur Conan Doyle, and G. K. Chesterton, Van Dine provides insights into the styles, techniques, and themes used by these writers.

First published in Scribner's Magazine in 1926 under Van Dine's pseudonym, Willard Huntington Wright, The Detective Novel provides a comprehensive overview of the genre. Whether you're a seasoned reader of detective novels or a newcomer to the genre, this essay offers an engaging and thought-provoking look at one of the most popular and enduring forms of fiction.