Course Overview

The course surveys classic and contemporary mysteries. Students examine the history and structure of mystery fiction, the suspense story, the detective story, and the adventure mystery. Elements of mystery fiction are presented and then discussed in light of the particular works.

This course is designed for high-school seniors.

Prerequisite

English 9 and 10 strongly suggested, but not required.

Required Materials

The following books are required for this course:

Braun, Lilian. The Cat Who Talked to Ghosts. Jove Books, 1990. ISBN 9780515102659

Christie, Agatha. The A.B.C. Murders. Berkley Books, 2011. ISBN 9780062073587 

Du Maurier, Daphne. Rebecca. Avon Books, 2002. ISBN 9780380778553

Fforde, Jasper. The Eyre Affair. Penguin Books, 2003. ISBN 9780142001806

Hillerman, Tony. A Thief of Time. HarperTorch, 2004. ISBN 9780061000041

Hillerman, Tony, ed. The Best American Mystery Stories of the Century. Edition. Houghton Mifflin, 2001. ISBN 9780618012718

Paige, Robin. Death at Bishop‘s Keep. Berkley Publishing Group, 1998. ISBN 9780425164358

Smith, Alexander. The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. Anchor Books/Random House, 2003. ISBN 9781400034772

(Alternate versions of these books can be used.)