The Penguin Book of Victorian Women in Crime: Forgotten Cops and Private Eyes from the Time of Sherlock Holmes

As much as I enjoy the whodunnit historical fictions, the contemporary mysteries set in certain periods, reading the mystery tales written in the Victorian period has the authentic charm that cannot be replicated. Authors living in this culture and time period had no need to explain or modify the modern culture to fit the views of 21st century readers, rendering the tales not only entertaining as short stories of deduction but also as a sociological curiosity.

I'm beginning to think of Michael Sims as my personal literary advisor, even though I don't know him. His collection of Victorian detective stories, The Dead Witness, introduced me to several delightful writers I'd never heard of. Now he's expanded my horizons again with this collection of Victorian Women in Crime.I was thrilled to learn, for example, that one of my favorite fin de siècle authors, Richard Marsh (The Beetle), wrote a whole series of stories with a feisty female detective whose special talent is lip reading. I immediately ordered a collection of these Judith Lee stories. I loved the story by Grant Allen featuring Lois Cayley, penniless Girton graduate, and plan to follow up on her adventures. Another find was the New England writer Mary E. Wilkins. I think I'll try her ghost stories.So if you're in search of forgotten writers of vintage fiction, which I always am, Sims's Victorian collections are a great resource.In his lively introduction to Victorian Women in Crime, Sims points out that fictional female detectives appeared on the scene decades before they became a reality. Women sleuths were a kind of fantasy that appealed greatly to the reading public. Some of the women investigators in this book are Sherlock Holmes types in skirts, complete with their own Watsons. One is a master of disguise, another claims simply to be a hard worker, and another boasts of "corkscrew-like qualities" as an interrogator.Every story is exceptionally well written and engaging. This is remarkable, considering the obscurity of the authors overall. Anna Katherine Green is the most famous writer in the collection, but even she may be a new discovery for some readers.I enjoyed every minute of this book and recommend it with enthusiasm.

Yes, I love when my supposedly -new- book comes through the post like it’s been used by about 4 different owners before I got it….

Some interesting stories but not sure that they all translate well for a modern reader.

Interesting stuff, particularly the oldest stories.