Highly informative study of the portrayal of women in detective stories and thrillers. Starts right back in the mid-19th century with Mrs Paschal and covers girl detectives such as Nancy Drew, policewomen (Charmian Daniels), superannuated amateurs (Miss Marple, Dame Beatrice Lestrange et al), spies and action women (Modesty Blaise) and assistants (from Nora Charles to Mrs. North). As it was published in 1981, you won't find Kinsey Millhone, Kay Scarpetta or Sally Lockhart here, but it's never less than informative and entertaining. ( )

A book that is mostly about the earlier development of female characters in Detective fiction with a lookin for some spies. Concentrates on the pre and post-world war II era, this was written in 1981 and shows as there have been several new strong female characters in the last couple of decades. It would be interesting to see a sequel to this.

However it did have me wanting to write bits out and hunt up some of the books mentioned, I was surprised at how familiar several of the books were and I do believe I had read at least one book by most of the authors cited.

Overall dated but interesting. ( )