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Summary: A Must for Series Readers!
Review: Dectecting Women: A Reader's Guide And Checklist For Mystery Series Written By Women is simply spectacular! First, the weight and feel of it...the gloss of the cover as well as the colors and illustration. Spectacular! Then, you open it up for research or what-have-you and are blown away. I cannot imagine a more complete reference work. Open up Detecting Women and you will discover a new universe full of clever women. The authors and the bodies of work are fully detailed. One that you have to hold in your hands...for pleasure, research, or both. Much as you explore the intricacies of the most complex mystery, Detecting Women needs to be dove into and absorbed for full effect. Dectecting Women features 225 new authors. Mystery Reference, Paperbound Coffeetable, 480 pages, -- Leann Arndt, Reviewer
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Summary: Taking the Mystery Out of Series Characters
Review: How many times have you discovered a new author and tried to unravel the sequence of the series? Publishers sometimes list previous books - provided they published those previous books. Or the author's work is neatly cited in alphabetical order. Great if you've picked up Sue Grafton, not so good if the author is Martha Grimes. Or only the books still in print appear.I edit two mystery newsletters, one for a general bookstore. My readers want to know series order. Short of tracking all the mystery writers yourself (good luck!), DETECTING WOMEN-3rd Ed. is the very best thing. Willetta Heising also includes bibliographies to catch the fancy of the most fanatic fan - settings, characters, types, historical venue, pseudonyms, and award nominees/winners. The master list even has blank spaces to accommodate future titles. There has never been a more comprehensive listing. I wouldn't/couldn't prepare a newsletter without it. This is definitely a keeper -- until DETECTING WOMEN 4 comes along!
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Summary: The Ultimate Reference Source for Collectors of Mysteries
Review: Ms. Heising has done it again! In addition to a useful tool for the mystery reader, this book is the very best source for the collector of first edition mysteries. Series are listed by date of publication, and indications are provided for those titles which have been nominated or have won major prizes in the mystery genre. No serious collector can be without this resource on their shelf for its thorough research capability (and no serious "book scout" can be without its counterpart Pocket Guide - available separately - for on-the-road portability). As a librarian and a collector, I believe that this is the very best work in the field. So if you are a reader who is thinking also of collecting, or a collector who also reads, don't even think about it - buy this book.
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Summary: D. Willetta comments on Willetta L.
Review: No, we are not kin though Ms. Heising and I share a name. I wish we were kin so perhaps I could share a mind that could dream up a reference book like Detecting Women. This remarkable book is divided into wonderful lists to not only help you keep track of all the women authors and their series but also lists to help you locate almost any of these books even though you can't remember the author! Or perhaps you want to read about lawyers, or interior decorators, well, there they are. Or you really like historical mysteries? There they are. Or if you like award winning books, she has a whole section from which to choose. It is a treasure trove of information. I would love this book even if my name weren't Willetta!
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Summary: The Best Yet
Review: This 3rd edition of Ms. Heising's invaluable reference guide to women mystery series writers, with 225 new authors, belongs in every mystery lover's home. As with Ms. Heising's previous edition of DW, as well as her excellent Detecting Men series guide, there are informative biographical entries and chronological book listings for every author. Ms. Heising also provides helpful cross reference guides, a list of award winners and nominees, author pseudonyms and a complete index to the book. This book is as much fun to read as a mystery novel. Who wrote it? Who won it? Who is it? You'll want this wonderful book close by at all times. It's the perfect mystery lovers' companion.
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Summary: A Terrific Resource for Mystery Readers!
Review: This book is an outstanding resource for readers who devour mysteries. Heising's multiple ways of listing books (geographical, by profession, etc.) provides a wealth of information for the reader who is always on the lookout for a new author. I just wish there was a new edition! I wouldn't part with this one, though. It's always a good way to start on a new author.
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Summary: A Terrific Resource for Mystery Readers!
Review: This book is an outstanding resource for readers who devour mysteries. Heising's multiple ways of listing books (geographical, by profession, etc.) provides a wealth of information for the reader who is always on the lookout for a new author. I just wish there was a new edition! I wouldn't part with this one, though. It's always a good way to start on a new author.
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Summary: A Must Have for the Mystery Connoisseur!
Review: This is a wonderful tool to keep track of all those mystery books on your shelves. This book offers a comprehensive listing of women's fiction mysteries. Books are listed by author and title. It is great way to see the order of books written in a series. There is also a check list where you can check off the book once you purchase it, and then check it after you read it. I like to make notations next to the books once I finish the book. Books that have been nominated or received awards are designated with a star by the title.
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Summary: Necessary for serious mystery readers
Review: This is an incredible resource for those who love mysteries.Heising takes all the information you need to decide whichbooks you wish to read, then arranges it in several sections based on different ways of searching-i.e. author, subject matter, etc. This is an extremely well organized and written reference book. As a librarian, I am always handing it out to our serious mystery readers. It's also a great resource for public libraries or those trying to decide what books to give mystery readers for gifts. A rare reference book that is fun to read, as well as informative and useful.
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Summary: Reviewing THE mystery book directory
Review: This is THE authoritative book on mystery book series written by women. It is such a pleasure to have this book and be able to look up a female author and find biographical information, books written with dates, etc., and to be able to have that informtion sorted in a number of ways. I carry the Detecting Women 3rd Edition paperback in my purse for visits to the book store and library but I copy information from the hardback, which is so much more extensive, into the paperback if I need to jot down a little more information. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you love mysteries whether by male or female authors (there is a Detecting Men also), you need this book. Its guidance is invaluable.
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