debbie

Debbie Amicucci June 23, 2009 Professor Gruesser Essay 4

REVISED

  One of the qualities of detection fiction it that allows the reader to be consumed with the plot and feel as though he or she is taking part in solving the crime. With the sudden twists and turns, murders, stolen articles, missing people, lying, and deception, it is difficult to not become fully engaged and feel as though he or she is along side the detective gathering clues. Fortunately, detective and mystery fiction can be read in print or viewed on film while still having the same effect on the reader or viewer. Both options have advantages, such as being able to see what the characters look like, as well as disadvantages, such as not being able to use his or her imagination to visualize the action.

Detection in print allows the reader to use his or her imagination while reading the text. In __The Maltese Falcon__, Sam Spade is described as having “a jaw long and bony, his chin a jutting v under the more flexible v of his mouth. His nostrils curved back to make another, smaller, v…The v //motif// was picked up again by thickish brows rising outward from twin creases above a hooked nose, and his pale brown hair grew down…in a point on his forehead. He looked rather pleasantly like a blond satan.” His devil-like qualities correspond to the role of Spade’s character. However, when watching the film, Spade looks nothing like the character that is portrayed in the book. Instead, he has brown hair, is not quite six feet tall, and shows no characteristics of a devil.

The look of Brigid O’Shaughnessy is also very different in the book as opposed to the film. The book describes her as, “tall and pliantly slender…high-breasted, her legs long…her full lips…white teeth glistened in the crescent her timid smile made.” In the film, she is beautiful however, she does not have the “drop-dead gorgeous” appeal that Hammett uses to describe her in the novel. If she did look more like Hammett’s description, her role would have been much stronger by drawing the viewer’s attention and portraying the sexy character that made most of the men in the novel desire her.

Another novel that has made it to the big screen is __Devil in the Blue Dress.__ This is a great detective story that tells of a man who is chasing a woman he does not know for money that is promised to him. Without understanding the reason for his chase, he ends up meeting several individuals who just want his information on the woman and do not care about his safety or reputation with the police. Many events take place in the novel that do not appear in the movie. Some examples are Easy’s sexual relationship with Daphne, Daphne’s devilish demeanor, Joppy being tied up in Albright’s kitchen rather than killed, and Mouse and Daphne’s previous relationship with each other. Since there was so much editing involved when producing the movie, I feel that a lot of the important characteristics in the novel are removed which produced a weak film.

The positive side of watching a detection film is that the viewer can actually see and not just imagine some of the events that take place as well as what the characters look like. There are some key scenes that stick out in my mind after watching the movies that may not have seemed so strong to me when reading the novels. For example, when watching __The Maltese Falcon__, I enjoyed being able to see how Spade actually acted when coming to the scene of Miles' murder. The book states how he did not want to look at Miles and I felt suspicious of Spade at this point; however, in the movie I could see how Spade was speaking and that he is genuinely unaware of his death. In __Devil in the Blue Dress__, I enjoyed being able to watch the violent scenes, such as when Frank Green is waiting for Easy at his house and the rampage that occurs at the end at Albright’s house.

Detection in print and film both have positive as well as negative qualities. I prefer to read it in print and be able to imagine the scenes on my own. By doing so, there is no disappointment and the characters look how I want them to. Also, I can go at my own pace and can read what the narrator is thinking instead of losing that aspect in the film. Detective fiction has become one of my favorite genres to read and I look forward to reading more if it in the future.

 Debbie Amicucci June 22, 2009 Professor Gruesser Essay 4   One of the qualities of detection fiction it that allows the reader to be consumed with the plot and feel as though he or she is taking part in solving the crime. With the sudden twists and turns, murders, stolen articles, missing people, lying, and deception, it is difficult to not become fully engaged and feel as though you are along side the detective gathering clues. Fortunately, detective and mystery fiction can be read in print or viewed on film while still having the same effect on the reader or viewer. Both options have advantages, such as being able to see what the characters look like, as well as disadvantages, such as not being able to use your imagination to visualize the action. Detection in print allows the reader to use his or her imagination while reading the text. In __The Maltese Falcon__, Sam Spade is described as having, “a jaw long and bony, his chin a jutting v under the more flexible v of his mouth. His nostrils curved back to make another, smaller, v…The v //motif// was picked up again by thickish brows rising outward from twin creases above a hooked nose, and his pale brown hair grew down…in a point on his forehead. He looked rather pleasantly like a blond satan.” His devil-like qualities go along with the role of Spade’s character. However, when watching the film, Spade looks nothing like the character that is portrayed in the book. Instead, he has brown hair, is not quite six feet tall, and shows no characteristics of a devil. The look of Brigid O’Shaughnessy is also very different in the book as opposed to the film. The book describes her as, “tall and pliantly slender…high-breasted, her legs long…her full lips…white teeth glistened in the crescent her timid smile made.” In the film, she is beautiful, however she does not have the “drop-dead gorgeous” appeal that Hammett uses to describe her in the novel. I feel as though if she did appear to look more like Hammett’s description, her role would have been much stronger by drawing the viewer’s attention and portraying the sexy character that made most of the men in the novel desire her. Another novel that has made it to the big screen is __The Devil in the Blue Dress.__ This is a great detective story that tells of a man who is chasing a woman he does not know for money that is promised to him. With out understanding the reason for his chase, he ends up meeting several individuals who just want his information on the woman and do not care about his safety or reputation with the police. Many events take place in the novel that does not appear in the movie. Some examples are Easy’s sexual relationship with Daphne, Daphne’s devilish demeanor, Joppy being tied up in Albright’s kitchen rather than killed, and Mouse and Daphne’s previous relationship with eachother. Since there was so much editing involved when producing the movie, I feel that a lot of the important characteristics in the novel are removed which produced a weak film. The positive side of watching a detection film is that the viewer can actually see and not just imagine some of the events that take place as well as what the characters look like. There are some key scenes that stick out in my mind after watching the movies that may not have seemed so strong to me when reading the novels. For example, when watching __The Maltese Falcon__, I enjoyed being able to see how Spade actually acted when coming to the scene of Mile’s murder. The book stated how he did not want to look at Miles and I felt suspicious of Spade at this point, however in the movie I could see how Spade was speaking and that he was genuinely unaware of his death. In __The Devil in the Blue Dress__, I enjoyed being able to watch the violent scenes, such as when Frankie Green was waiting for Easy at his house and the rampage that occurs at the end at Albright’s house. Detection in print and film both have positive as well as negative qualities. I prefer to read it in print and be able to imagine the scenes on my own. By doing so, there is no disappointment and the characters look how ever I want them to. Also, I can go at my own pace and can read what the narrator is thinking instead of losing that aspect in the film. Detective fiction has become one of my favorite genres to read and I look forward to reading more if it in the future.

Debbie Amicucci ENG 3221 6/16/09 Professor Gruesser Essay 3 REVISION

There are several elements of detective fiction that can be seen throughout this genre. Some examples would be a crime or a disordered state of affairs, a detective figure who attempts to solve the crime, a detailed description of the steps that he or she takes to solve the crime, and some form of order restored at the end. However, there are two major types of detective fiction that have very different characteristics; one that focuses mostly on the case that needs to be solved, and the other that uses a more violent and spontaneous approach with several different plots to draw in the reader. These types are named classic and hard-boiled detection.

Classic detective fiction generally involves an intellectual puzzle, emphasis on the plot over the character, depicts the detective as a detached observer, portrays a clean crime or murder, involves a criminal that acts alone, has moral order restored at the end, and places little or no emphasis on sex. Hard-boiled detection is much different. There is normally a moral dilemma, the focus is on the character over the plot, the detective is actively involved, the story takes place in an urban setting, the crime is extremely bloody and violent, the criminal is part of a gang or conspiracy, there is moral ambiguity at the end, and there is emphasis on sex and masculinity.

Examples of classic detective fiction include Edgar Allan Poe’s “Murders in the Rue Morgue,” “The Purloined Letter,” “The Biter Bit,” and Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Adventure of the Speckled Band,” “A Scandal in Bohemia,” and “The Final Problem.” With some exceptions, these short stories contain the key elements of classic detective fiction.

“The Purloined Letter” is a mystery about a stolen article, a letter that was taken from the Queen’s possession. The letter is said to have compromising information written in it which may ruin her reputation and relationship with the King. It is known at the beginning of the story that the criminal is the Minister. When the police are unable to locate the letter, even after searching every inch of his house, they have no choice but to ask Dupin to help them solve the case. Dupin is than able to use rational reasoning and intuitive thinking to determine where the letter is hidden. From the moment he first hears of the stolen article, he knows that the crime seems to simple and that the police are overlooking information, "Perhaps it is the very simplicity of the thing which puts you at fault," he tells G. To retreive the missing letter, he places a fake letter in the place of the real one at the Minister’s house which allows moral order to be restored at the end.

“The Scandal in Bohemia” is similar. There is a stolen article, the picture of the King and his ex-lover Irene Adler, that needs to be retrieved. Sherlock Holmes is able to gather the facts based on the conversation that he has with the King. He then formulates a theory about where Alder has hidden the picture and comes up with an plan on how to get the picture back. He uses intuitive information to determine where she would have hidden it; he states, "When a woman thinks that her house is on fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she values most...our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it." Finally, even though his original plan has failed, he is able to explain his method of determining where the picture was hidden and solution as to how to retrieve it, which leaves the reader and narrator astonished. These stories both contain key characteristics of classic detective fiction.

Hard-boiled detection greatly differs from the stories mentioned above. “The Maltese Falcon”, written by Dashiell Hammett, is considered to be hard-boiled detection. Unlike “The Purloined Letter” and “The Scandal in Bohemia,” there are many people murdered, the detective is actively involved with the case, and there are several sexual references. The first murder is discussed when the police call private eye, Sam Spade, to tell him that his partner Miles Archer has been found shot and dead. Only moments later, it is announced that Floyd Thursby, whom Archer was following, has also been murdered. However, the murders do not end here. Captain Jacobi of La Paloma, and Casper Gutman will both be shot and killed.

Unlike Dupin, Spade does not sit at his desk and look over the facts to determine where the falcon is or how the murders took place. Instead, he is actively involved in the case, even if this means going against what the police demand and getting himself into trouble. He meets with the criminals, makes deals with them, withholds information from the police, and risks his life while solving the case. The criminals are not afraid to talk to him as they are with the police. They will meet with Spade and tell him what they expect and want out of him. During this time, Spade is fully engaged and willing to play along.

Spade has sexual relationships with women throughout the novel. It is known that Archer’s wife, Iva, was having an affair with Spade before Miles' murder. However, upon meeting Brigid O’Shaughnessy, Spade gives all of his sexual attention to her and ignores Iva. It is also suggested that Spade and his secretary, Effie, have a sexual relationship. Though it is not confirmed, there is definitely flirting and sexual remarks made.

Both types of detective fiction involve a mystery, a crime, a detective, and engage the reader’s attention. However, there are may differences between classic and hard-boiled detection. I believe that the major strength of classic detection is that since the detective is not as involved, the reader is given more clues and feels like he or she has a chance of solving the crime. When reading hard-boiled fiction, the reader can easily be consumed with what is going on in the characters personal lives and not be as focused on the case. However, hard-boiled detection offers more action and allows the reader to take part in several different plots rather than just one. I personally would choose to read hard-boiled detection; however, it is up to the reader to decide which he or she prefers. Does he or she like gory scenes and want to get involved in the character’s lives? Or does the reader prefer to just focus on solving the case? Fortunately, either choice will most likely have the reader committed to the story and wanting to read more.

Debbie Amicucci ENG 3221 6/15/09 Professor Gruesser Essay 3

There are several elements of detective fiction that can be seen through out this genre. Some examples would be a crime or a disordered state of affairs, a detective figure who attempts to solve the crime, a detailed description of the steps that the he or she took, and some form of order restored at the end. However, there are two major types of detective fiction that have very different characteristics. These types are named classic and hard-boiled detection.

Classic detective fiction generally involves an intellectual puzzle, focuses on the plot over the character, depicts the detective as a detached observer, portrays a clean crime or murder, involves a criminal that acts alone, has moral order restored at the end, and there is little or no emphasis on sex. On the other hand, hard-boiled detection is much different. There is normally a moral dilemma, it focuses on the character over the plot, the detective is actively involved, it takes place in an urban setting, the crime is extremely bloody and violent, the criminal is part of a gang or conspiracy, there is moral ambiguity at the end, and there is emphasis on sex and masculinity.

Examples of classic detective fiction include Edgar Allan Poe’s “Murders in the Rue Morgue”, “The Purloined Letter”, “The Biter Bit”, and Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Adventure of the Speckled Band”, “A Scandal in Bohemia”, and “The Final Problem.” With some exceptions, such as having bloody and violent “murders”, being made for “Murders in the Rue Morgue”, all of these short stories contain the key elements of classic detective fiction.

“The Purloined Letter” is a mystery about a stolen article, a letter that was taken from the Queen’s possession. The letter is said to have compromising information written in it which may ruin her reputation and relationship with the King. It is known at the beginning of the story that the criminal is the Minister. When the police are unable to locate the letter, even after searching every inch of his house, they have no choice but to ask Dupin to help them solve the case. Dupin is than able to use rational reasoning and determine where the letter is hidden. He places a fake letter in the place of the real one at the Minister’s house which allows moral order to be restored at the end.

“The Scandal in Bohemia” is similar. There is a stolen article, the picture of the King and his ex-lover Irene Adler, that needs to be retrieved. Dupin is able to gather the facts based on the conversation that he has with the King. He than formulates a theory about where Alder has hidden the picture and comes up with an plan on how to get the picture back. Finally, he is able to explain his method and solution at the end which leaves the reader and narrator astonished. These stories both contain key characteristics of classic detective fiction.

“The Maltese Falcon”, written by Dashiell Hammett, is considered to be hard-boiled detection. Unlike “The Purloined Letter” and “The Scandal in Bohemia,” there are many people left murdered, the detective is actively involved with the case, and there are several sexual references. The first murder is discussed when the police call private eye, Sam Spade, to tell him that his partner Miles Archer was found shot and dead. Only moments later, it is announced that Floyd Thursby, who Archer was following, was also murdered. However, the murders do not end here. Captain Jacobi of “La Paloma,” and Casper Gutman will both be shot and killed.

Unlike Dupin, Spade does not sit at his desk and look over the facts to determine where the falcon is or how the murders took place. Instead, he is actively involved in the case, even if this means going against what the police demand and getting himself into trouble. He meets with the criminals, makes deals with them, withholds information from the police, and risks his life while solving the case. The criminals are not afraid to talk to him as they are with the police. They will meet with Spade and tell him what they expect and want out of him. During this time, Spade is fully engaged and willing to play along.

Spade also has sexual relationships through out the novel. It is known that Archer’s wife, Iva, was having an affair with Spade before Mile’s murder. However, once meeting Brigid O’Shaughnessy, Spade gives all of his sexual attention to her and ignores Iva. It is also suggested that Spade and his secretary, Effie, have a sexual relationship. Though it is not confirmed, there is definitely flirting and sexual remarks made.

Both types of detective fiction involve a mystery, a crime, a detective, and engage the reader’s attention. However, there are may differences between classic and hard-boiled detection. I believe that the strengths of classic detection is that since the detective is not as involved, the reader is given more clues and feels like they have a chance of solving the crime. When reading hard-boiled fiction, the reader can easily be consumed with what is going on in the characters personal lives and will not be as focused on the case. However, hard-boiled detection offers more action and allows the reader to take part in several different plots rather than just one. I personally would choose to read hard-boiled detection, however it is up to the reader to decide which he or she prefers. Do they like gory scenes and want to get involved in the character’s lives? Or do they prefer to just focus on solving the case? Fortunately, either choice will most likely have the reader committed to the story and wanting to read more.

Debbie Amicucci ENG 3221 6/11/09 Professor Gruesser Essay 2

REVISION

When thinking about detective fiction, it is common to picture the detective as a male character similar to Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, shrewd game players who will do anything to win and thinking machines who show no emotion. However, it is important to remember that there are female sleuths who crack cases just as well as the men but use different methods such as their intuition, life experiences, and emotions.

Male characters, such as Holmes, make great detectives and are usually able to pick up on clues that no one else might have seen. They analyze details, are consumed with finding any bit of evidence, rely on science, and do whatever it requires to get the information they desire. They seem to not focus so much on their feelings and the feelings of others; rather their main objective is to solve the case.

Women detectives use different approaches than the males. They tend to be more emotional, sympathetic, intuitive; they observe their communities and the people in it; they identify with the victim; and they are knowledgeable about women’s lives. The women want to find evidence just like the men, but they will allow their feelings and emotions to lead the way rather than science and rationality.

“A Jury of Her Peers” is a short story that features two females who must work as detectives even though it is not their profession. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters figure out who killed Mr. Wright by looking at evidence that the men consider mere “trifles.” The women are able to solve the murder by walking into the battered kitchen, by looking at the way Mrs. Wright knotted her quilt, and by spotting a broken birdcage along with a dead bird.

The women in this story also differ from male detectives because they put themselves in the shoes of the accused murderer and stick up for her even when finding out she killed her husband. Before the women are even given a chance to rummage through the evidence, they are feeling pain for Mrs. Wright’s lifestyle. When the county attorney feels it necessary to comment on the dirty house, Mrs. Hale sticks up for her by saying, “There’s a great deal of work to be done on a farm…Farmers‘ wives have their hands full.” From the moment the women enter the house, they are able to feel for Mrs. Wright and her miserable existence caused by her abusive husband.

In Christie’s “The Blue Geranium,” Miss Marple is an accomplished amateur sleuth who solves the murder of Mrs. Pritchard as if it comes naturally to her. As in “A Jury of Her Peers,” Miss Marple puts herself in the victim’s shoes and is able to determine the killer and the motive. Her thoughts on the murder are so concise that Sir Henry feels it necessary to say, “You might have been there, Miss Marple.” (243). This is the feeling that her details give off as she solves the murder using knowledge on nursing and her community.

The important part of solving a case is figuring out the key questions, such as who or howdunit? However, there are significant differences in the process of solving a case- depending if it is a male or female detective. Each takes a different approach and relies on different methods. Men tend to think and analyze while women follow their emotions and intuition until they can tie all the clues together. Both genders play interesting roles in detective fiction that leave the reader at the end wondering how they figured it out. As long as readers have this feeling at the end of the story, the detective, no matter what sex, has certainly performed his or her job well.

Debbie Amicucci ENG 3221 6/5/09 Professor Gruesser Essay 2

When thinking about detective fiction, it is common to picture the detective as a male character similar to Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. Generally, some stereo-typical male characteristics may come to mind, which include shrewd game players who show no emotion and thinking machines who will kill if it is what they must do. However, it is important to remember that there are female sleuths who crack cases just as well as the men but use different methods.

Male characters, such as Holmes, make great detectives and are usually able to pick up on clues that no one else might have seen. They analyze details, are consumed with finding any bit of evidence, rely on science, and will do whatever it requires to get the information they desire. They seem to not focus so much on their feelings and the feelings of others. If someone is in their way of solving a case, they most likely will not think twice about permanently removing that person.

Women detectives use different approaches than the males. They tend to be more emotional, sympathetic, intuitive, they observe their communities and the people in it, they identify with the victim, and they are knowledgeable about women’s lives. The women want to find evidence just like the men, but they will allow their feelings and emotions to lead the way rather than science.

“A Jury of Her Peers” is a short story that features two females who must work as detectives even though it is not their profession. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters figured out who killed Mr. Wright by looking at evidence that the men would consider mere ‘trifles.’ The women were able to solve the murder by walking into the battered kitchen, looking at the way Mrs. Wright knotted her quilt, and by spotting a birdcage along with a dead bird.

The women in this story also differ from the male detectives because they put their selves in the shoes of the accused murderer and stuck up for her even when finding out she killed her husband. Before the women even got a chance to rummage through the evidence, they were feeling pain for Mrs. Wright’s lifestyle. When the county attorney felt it necessary to comment on the dirty house, Mrs. Hale stuck up for her by saying, “There’s a great deal of work to be done on a farm…Farmers‘ wives have their hands full.” From the moment the women entered the house, they were able to feel for Mrs. Wright and her disruptive lifestyle that she lived along with her neglectful husband.

In Christie’s “The Blue Geranium”, Mrs. Marple is an accomplished amateur sleuth who solves the murder of Mrs. Pritchard as if it came naturally to her. As in “A Jury of Her Peers”, Mrs. Marple put herself in the victim’s shoes and was able to determine the killer and the motive. Her thoughts on the murder were so concise that Sir Henry felt it necessary to say, “You might have been there, Miss Marple.” (p 243). This is the feeling that her details gave off as she solved the murder with her intuition and knowledge on the subject and her community.

The important part of solving a case is figuring out the key questions, such as who or howdunit? However, there are significant differences in the process of solving a case- depending if it is a male or female detective. Both take different approaches and rely on different methods that work for them. Men tend to think and analyze ideas while women follow their emotions and intuition until they can tie all the clues together. Both genders play interesting roles in detective fiction that leave the reader at the end wondering how they figured it out. As long as this concept still remains at the end of the story and the reader is engaged, the detective, no matter what sex, certainly performed his or her job correctly.

Debbie Amicucci **revised** ENG 3221 5/31/09 Professor Gruesser Essay 1

Detective fiction is one of the most popular genres among readers today. From as early as 1841 people have been reading detective fiction and giving reason for more writers to focus on this genre. Perhaps it is the mystery that is involved, the suspenseful plot, or the twists and turns that the story will take. Whatever the reason, there must be something that makes it so intriguing to its audience.

Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” is said to have been the first modern detective story. When I think about modern detective fiction, “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” corresponds to my notion of what detective fiction should be. This short story has nearly all of the key elements of detective fiction. Some examples would be that there is an intellectual puzzle of trying to determine who committed the murders, the plot is being focused on more than the characters, the “criminal” acts alone, and there is moral order restored at the end. However, this story would have exceeded my notion of detective fiction had the murderer not been an ape.

One of the components of detective fiction that makes it so captivating and engaging to the reader is that it poses a problem and allows the reader to participate in finding out “whodunit?” To some extent the plot is realistic while the detectives use rational reasoning to formulate an answer for the question above. Poe is able to capture the reader’s imagination in “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” by developing a plot that makes the reader think they have figured out the case, until they flip the page and read facts that do not correspond to their original idea. By using this technique, the reader becomes fully engaged in trying to find out how the murders took place.

However, in “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” when finding out that an ape brutally killed Madame L’Espanaye and Mademoiselle Camille L’Espanaye the reality of the event was quickly taken away. I was no longer able to fully feel like I was in the Rue Morgue with them cracking the case because an ape would never commit these murders. I believe that detective fiction should keep realistic approaches through out the whole story to obtain the full effect.

“The Murders In the Rue Morgue” was the first detective fiction story. To be able to write such a memorable story that is the first in its genre is truly an accomplishment. The many detective stories that have been written after “The Murders In the Rue Morgue” are consistent in following the key elements of detective fiction that this short story introduced. It paved the way for an extraordinary genre that has captivated the minds of millions as they try to figure out “whodunit?”

Debbie Amicucci ENG 3221 5/27/09 Professor Gruesser Essay 1

Detective fiction is one of the most popular genres among readers today. From as early as 1841 people have been reading detective fiction and giving reason for more writers to focus on this genre. Perhaps it is the mystery that is involved, the suspenseful plot, or the twists and turns that the story will take. Whatever the reason, there must be something that makes it so intriguing to its audience. Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” is said to have been the first modern detective story. When I think about modern detective fiction, “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” corresponds to my notion of what detective fiction should be. This short story has nearly all of the key elements of detective fiction. Some examples would be that there was an intellectual puzzle of trying to determine who committed the murders, the plot was being focused on more than the characters, the criminal acted alone, and there was moral order restored at the end. However, this story would have exceeded my notion had the murderer not been a gorilla. One of the components of detective fiction that makes it so captivating and engaging to the reader is that it poses a problem and allows the reader to participate in finding out “whodunit?” To some extent the plot is realistic while the detectives use rational reasoning to pose an answer for the question above. However, in “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” when finding out that a gorilla brutally killed Madame L’Espanaye and Mademoiselle Camille L’Espanaye the reality of the event was quickly taken away. I believe that detective fiction should keep realistic approaches through out the whole story to obtain the full effect. “The Murders In the Rue Morgue” was the first detective fiction story written. To be able to write such a memorable story that is the first in its genre is truly an accomplishment. The many detective stories that have been written after “The Murders In the Rue Morgue” were consistent in following the key elements of detective fiction that this short story introduced. It set the way for an extraordinary genre that will captivate the minds of millions as they try to figure out “whodunit?”