The questions you suggested might be covered in an “Extinct Authors” class are all really interesting ones. I’ve been thinking about the books I loved when I was younger, and which ones seem to have lasted and which have not, and why—a personal slant on the questions. But I hadn’t thought about societyas a whole.
Also, now I want to read some of the books you listed for the second class.
Good point about how books don’t always remain favorites over our lifetime. I’ve reread a favorite from a few years ago and now I cringe over some of the writing. Some magazine used to have profiles of famous people and one question was”what classic novel disappointed you upon rereading it?” It was interesting.
I agree with the other commenters. You have asked fabulous questions. I hadn't thought about the "extinct" authors before--and I had no idea where "The butler did it" trope came from. Fascinating!
As for the mystery-related class topic, I vote for classes on the continuously evolving technology in evidence gathering and crime busting techniques. They change drastically over time, or are different from one agency to another, one department to another, and one office to another.
For example, my now-retired federal agent husband and my brother, a current police officer and former Marine, were discussing room clearing techniques. They were taught different ways of achieving the same basic goal—entering a building and searching for a suspect(s). Those differences can make it tricky to work together doing that though. EX: Both talked about being able to flow into a room with easy because they knew what the other people would do. They knew their partners’ skill levels, strengths, and weaknesses. If you don't know someone has a tendency to violate the "priority of fire" rule, you might step into someone’s crossfire because that cop gets tunnel vision and doesn’t realize that you’re closer to the suspect than he/she is. Interestingly both of my favorite law enforcement officers were the first guys in their teams to enter the room. Leaders to the core.
My husband told a funny story about the really old days where (I think it was the DEA) that had two agents PHYSICALLY toss another agent into a room where a suspect was and begin firing. TRUE story. We’re all glad (especially those who deal with worker’s comp complaints) that that tactic was abandoned.
As for technologies that are rapidly evolving and didn’t exist when I earned my degree in criminal justice two things come to mind: GPS locators in cars and smart body cams that will activate when an officer:
- arrives within 500 feet of dispatched call,
- begins to run,
-violently shakes (during a physical altercation),
-is in a horizontal position for an extended period of time (officer down),
-activates emergency equipment within patrol vehicle,
-activates the cam by using a remote.
If those hoped for classes don’t materialize, there’s a lot of useful information on the TV show “Forensic Files.” Some other options are YouTube videos by “PoliceActivity,” “Code Blue Cam” and “Active Self Protection.” Another goodie is “Donut Operator” but beware, he has a SERIOUS potty mouth (he’s also hilarious). They all show cops in action and some hosts tell you what was done right and wrong. PoliceActivity tells you exactly what happened during the call in the area above the comments section. Code Blue Cam tells you in real time what’s going on. Active Self Protection isn’t all about law enforcement, but they do spotlight A LOT of officer-involved shootings caught on body cam and offer pretty good breakdowns. They also have FANTASTIC hints for personal safety.
While watching those types of videos, you’ll pick up lingo, technology, and techniques. This morning, I saw a body cam of an awesome cop locating a runaway mentally handicapped teenager. He convinced her to let him take her home, complimented her on her hair, and asked her if she was going to be nice (to her family). When she said she didn't know, he teasingly said, "No, the answer is yes," Laughing, she agreed. In the end, he had her pinkie swear to be good.
LOTS of good stuff can be found on those body cam videos!
Oh that’s a good idea for a class or even a dissertation topic. A survey of detective methods as portrayed in fiction from the beginnings (Wilkie Collins, Seeley Regester, etc) to the present day, something like that, and could contrast that fictional portrayal of the methods versus what was actually happening in real police work from that time period.
I would like to see "Mystery Doesn't Have to Mean Murder." There are so many other crimes out there.
Great idea, Terry! That gives me an idea for both a novel I may write and a future post. Do you have any favorites?
Well, I did happen to write one. :-) Deadly Relations.
Fascinating post, Meredith!
Thanks, Martine!
I didn't know about any of these authors! Thanks for sharing. I'm off to hunt for some of these books.
I’ve found quite a few on Amazon, though the quality of the physical book varies, depending upon the publisher. Happy reading!
The questions you suggested might be covered in an “Extinct Authors” class are all really interesting ones. I’ve been thinking about the books I loved when I was younger, and which ones seem to have lasted and which have not, and why—a personal slant on the questions. But I hadn’t thought about societyas a whole.
Also, now I want to read some of the books you listed for the second class.
Good point about how books don’t always remain favorites over our lifetime. I’ve reread a favorite from a few years ago and now I cringe over some of the writing. Some magazine used to have profiles of famous people and one question was”what classic novel disappointed you upon rereading it?” It was interesting.
I agree with the other commenters. You have asked fabulous questions. I hadn't thought about the "extinct" authors before--and I had no idea where "The butler did it" trope came from. Fascinating!
As for the mystery-related class topic, I vote for classes on the continuously evolving technology in evidence gathering and crime busting techniques. They change drastically over time, or are different from one agency to another, one department to another, and one office to another.
For example, my now-retired federal agent husband and my brother, a current police officer and former Marine, were discussing room clearing techniques. They were taught different ways of achieving the same basic goal—entering a building and searching for a suspect(s). Those differences can make it tricky to work together doing that though. EX: Both talked about being able to flow into a room with easy because they knew what the other people would do. They knew their partners’ skill levels, strengths, and weaknesses. If you don't know someone has a tendency to violate the "priority of fire" rule, you might step into someone’s crossfire because that cop gets tunnel vision and doesn’t realize that you’re closer to the suspect than he/she is. Interestingly both of my favorite law enforcement officers were the first guys in their teams to enter the room. Leaders to the core.
My husband told a funny story about the really old days where (I think it was the DEA) that had two agents PHYSICALLY toss another agent into a room where a suspect was and begin firing. TRUE story. We’re all glad (especially those who deal with worker’s comp complaints) that that tactic was abandoned.
As for technologies that are rapidly evolving and didn’t exist when I earned my degree in criminal justice two things come to mind: GPS locators in cars and smart body cams that will activate when an officer:
- arrives within 500 feet of dispatched call,
- begins to run,
-violently shakes (during a physical altercation),
-is in a horizontal position for an extended period of time (officer down),
-activates emergency equipment within patrol vehicle,
-activates the cam by using a remote.
If those hoped for classes don’t materialize, there’s a lot of useful information on the TV show “Forensic Files.” Some other options are YouTube videos by “PoliceActivity,” “Code Blue Cam” and “Active Self Protection.” Another goodie is “Donut Operator” but beware, he has a SERIOUS potty mouth (he’s also hilarious). They all show cops in action and some hosts tell you what was done right and wrong. PoliceActivity tells you exactly what happened during the call in the area above the comments section. Code Blue Cam tells you in real time what’s going on. Active Self Protection isn’t all about law enforcement, but they do spotlight A LOT of officer-involved shootings caught on body cam and offer pretty good breakdowns. They also have FANTASTIC hints for personal safety.
While watching those types of videos, you’ll pick up lingo, technology, and techniques. This morning, I saw a body cam of an awesome cop locating a runaway mentally handicapped teenager. He convinced her to let him take her home, complimented her on her hair, and asked her if she was going to be nice (to her family). When she said she didn't know, he teasingly said, "No, the answer is yes," Laughing, she agreed. In the end, he had her pinkie swear to be good.
LOTS of good stuff can be found on those body cam videos!
Oh that’s a good idea for a class or even a dissertation topic. A survey of detective methods as portrayed in fiction from the beginnings (Wilkie Collins, Seeley Regester, etc) to the present day, something like that, and could contrast that fictional portrayal of the methods versus what was actually happening in real police work from that time period.
LOVE those ideas!