Edgar- and Agatha-nominated author Colleen Barnett here updates her essential reference for readers and writers of mystery, examining women who detect, women as sleuths, and the evolving roles of women in professions and in society.

Many bibliographers focus on women who write. Lawyer Barnett looks at women who detect, at women as sleuths and at the evolving roles of women in professions and in society. Excellent for all women's studies programs as well as for the mystery hound. Look at the popularity of such reading guides as Willetta Heising's Detecting Women (3rd ed. 0-9644593-7-X) or Amanda Cross' fiction (Honest Doubt 0-345-44011-0 11/00).

Many aspects of British detective fiction are intriguingly different from the American detective fiction. And, confusingly, many of the British women detectives who have made it to American television are far from typical of the latest women detectives. This work is a study of British detective fiction with female protagonists written by women. Authors included are P.D. James, Jennie Melville, Liza Cody, Val McDermid, Joan Smith and Susan Moody. Special attention is paid to the evolution of the British female sleuth from the 1960s to the year 2000, particularly the 1980s, and how this shaped and altered detective fiction. Also discussed is the effect of the British judicial system and gun laws on detective fiction and real life, the types of crimes women detectives usually investigate, why certain directions have been taken and which ones may be taken in the future, issues being raised by the authors, and new women authors of detective fiction with female protagonists.

Contributors delineate the range of relationships among women writers, women detectives in mystery fiction, and women readers, examining detective fiction through the eyes of actual and hypothetical women readers in a gender- and genre-specific analysis. They offer a theoretical and critical investigation of both historical and contemporary models of mystery fiction. Authors discussed include Sara Paretsky, Joan Hess, Sue Grafton, and D.R. Meredith. No index. Paper edition (unseen), $12.95. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Offering a philosophy, methodology, and examples for history instruction that are active, imaginative, and provocative, this text presents a fully developed pedagogy based on problem-solving methods that promote reasoning and judgment and restore a sense of imagination and participation to classroom learning. It is designed to draw readers into the detective process that characterizes the work of professional historians and social scientists ─ sharing raw data, defining terms, building interpretations, and testing competing theories. An inquiry framework drives both the pedagogy and the choice of historical materials, with selections favoring the unsolved, controversial, and fragmented rather than the neatly wrapped up analysis of past events. Teaching World History as Mystery: Provides a balanced combination of interestingly arranged historical content, and clearly explained instructional strategies Features case studies of commonly and not so commonly taught topics within a typical world/global history curriculum using combinations of primary and secondary documents Discusses ways of dealing with ethical and moral issues in world history classrooms, drawing students into persisting questions of historical truth, bias, and judgment

This book is an irresistible, definitive guide to the magical practices of contemporary women. Beginning with a brief history of witchcraft, it explores a huge range of beliefs, festivals, skills, and lore, including: Goddesses, priestesses, and witches Reincarnation, karma, magic, and power The aura, the chakras, psychic awareness, astral traveling, pathworking, dreamwork, and healing Covens, initiations, collectives, and lone witches The circle, the altar, wands, robes, chalices, incenses, oils, and candles The moon and the planets Sabbats, esbats, solstices, equinoxes, Samhain, Candlemas, Beltane, and Lammas Tarot, scrying, starcraft, and herbal lore Gathering together all the disciplines of European witchcraft and providing rituals and spells for use in our lives, A Woman's Book of Shadows, first published in 1993, is a remarkable compendium of magical lore, psychic skills, and women's mysteries.

Unravel the mystery of fostering a vibrant mystery collection for your library patrons! Whodunnit? Managing the Mystery Collection: From Creation to Consumption reveals just who is responsible—for providing high-quality library mystery collections to fans. This resource takes you through the complicated process, from creating a mystery story to getting it to the library bookshelf and your patrons—all with clear explanations and no plot twists. Authors, readers, critics, scholars, and librarians give you an interdisciplinary inside look at the production and collection of one of the most popular genres in literature, the mystery. This unique book comprehensively explains how a mystery story journeys a surprisingly winding way to reach an avid reading public. No red herrings here though. Acquisitions and collection development resources are provided along with effective strategies that will help librarians to sift through the clues on how to bring life to their mystery collections. Examinations of various subgenres of the mystery are provided, such as romance and Native American mysteries, as well as an enlightening discussion of the links between mysteries, libraries, and interest groups. Managing the Mystery Collection brings you: mystery writer Barbara Fister describing the creative process insights about Sisters in Crime—an organization that promotes mysteries authored by women—and its special relationship with libraries and librarians a detailed introduction to buying and selling books online Web and print resources guidance for the acquisition of mysteries for the younger mystery reader development of a collection of ethnic mysteries the creation of special collections of Sherlock Holmes and author Conan Doyle extensive listings of subgenre titles and details of popular series an organization that networks creators, fans, and scholars of detective and mystery fiction and more! Managing the Mystery Collection: From Creation to Consumption solves the mystery behind the step-by-step process it takes to provide readers with what they want—access to a collection of perplexing, well-written mysteries. This is perfect for public and academic librarians with an interest in building quality collections of mysteries; library school faculty teaching courses in collection building, popular culture and libraries, genre literature, and special collections; and students of those fields.