By exploring the transcultural nature of Mediterranean crime fiction, Barbara Pezzotti advocates for a regional 'reading' of the genre.

For a long time, crime fiction has been considered popular literature - an assessment that prevented serious critical engagement with it. It is only in recent years that critical literary theories have begun to be applied to genres such as crime fiction, while at the same time the interest of literary scholars in crime fiction by authors not belonging to the European-American 'Western' cultures has grown. The articles assembled in this volume seek to address the role of crime fiction in and around the Eastern Mediterranean in countries such as Turkey, Greece, Morocco, Algeria, Syria, Saudi-Arabia, and Egypt, focusing on generic, terminological, literary critical, social, and cultural themes. The book is intended to be an invitation for literary scholars doing research on different literatures of the Eastern Mediterranean to compare and discuss their results and to engage in further research in this field.

“Navigates the seedy side of Marseille with 14 stories that range from the creepily introspective to the downright brutal.” —Publishers Weekly The Akashic Noir series first ventured into France with Paris Noir—and now moves one step deeper . . . A crossroads for the people of Europe and the Mediterranean, Marseille is a city that does not discriminate. It embodies the down-and-dirty, tough-guy side of France, but what it lacks in sophistication, it makes up for in spirit. Still, in its shadows lurks a not-so-distant darkness . . . one that can be found in stories translated from French by David Ball and Nicole Ball and written by: François Beaune, Philippe Carrese, Patrick Coulomb, Cédric Fabre, René Frégni, Christian Garcin, Salim Hatubou, Rebecca Lighieri, Emmanuel Loi, Marie Neuser, Pia Petersen, Serge Scotto, Minna Sif, and François Thomazeau. “Gritty from east to west, Marseille is the perfect venue for the latest in Akashic’s venerable Noir series. While earlier entries in this 70-volume series have sometimes been bleak and atmospheric, this one is all red meat. . . . Just as Marseille is tailor-made for noir, this dark banquet is tailor-made for noir fans.” —Kirkus Reviews “The stories . . . are united by vivid and evocative writing, as well as by a distinctive take on the city. Another strong entry in a series that should be required reading for crime fans.” —Booklist

Accessible yet comprehensive, this first systematic account of crime fiction across the globe offers a deep and thoroughly nuanced understanding of the genre's transnational history. Offering a lucid account of the major theoretical issues and comparative perspectives that constitute world crime fiction, this book introduces readers to the international crime fiction publishing industry, the translation and circulation of crime fiction, international crime fiction collections, the role of women in world crime fiction, and regional forms of crime fiction. It also illuminates the past and present of crime fiction in various supranational regions across the world, including East and South Asia, the Arab World, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Scandinavia, as well as three spheres defined by a shared language, namely the Francophone, Lusophone, and Hispanic worlds. Thoroughly-researched and broad in scope, this book is as valuable for general readers as for undergraduate and postgraduate students of popular fiction and world literature.

Escaping the demands of Paris police work, Commissaire Capucine Le Tellier embarks on a well-deserved Mediterranean cruise. But wherever the renowned inspector goes, murder is sure to be close on the horizon. . . On the azure waters off the coasts of Corsica and Sardinia, what could be more relaxing and rewarding than traipsing around the Mediterranean enjoying the local culinary delights. Among the invited bon vivants are Capucine, her husband, the celebrated restaurant critic, her special agent cousin Jacques, a famed bar owner, and even her boss. To all appearances, the table is set for an affair to remember. In the midst of this pleasure cruise, Natalie, the yacht's cook, is lost overboard. A sudden squall is the assumed cause. But once a bullet hole is discovered in her jacket, suspicions quickly shift and the onboard bonhomie suffers accordingly. When a shell casing is uncovered that matches the gun Capucine is authorized to carry, for the first time in her stellar career, the hardworking detective finds herself the prime suspect. For Capucine, these are clearly not the deep waters she envisioned as part of her holiday. As the motives become murkier, the gifted Commissaire will need to harness all her powers of deduction to get to the bottom of the mystery--before she ends up at the bottom of the sea. Praise for Alexander Campion and the Capucine Culinary Mysteries "Francophiles love this series for its Parisian setting and police detective Capucine's culinary cases." --Library Journal "Delectable. . ..sure to please the most discriminating palates." --Publishers Weekly on Killer Critique "This intelligent series. . .will appeal to a diversity of readers. Devotees of G.M. Malliet and Charles Todd will especially enjoy this different and delicious series." --Booklist on Killer Critique "A feast of crime with a soupçon of gourmet delight." --RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars, on Crime Fraiche "Full of amusing characters. . ..Readers will want a second helping." --Publishers Weekly on The Grave Gourmet "This new series offers a uniquely blended mix of ‘hooks' that will appeal to a wide variety of mystery lovers." --Booklist on The Grave Gourmet "Features lively dialogue, much discussion of culinary delights, a peek into the French criminal justice system, and a pleasing mystery." --Library Journal on The Grave Gourmet

When the battered body of a young woman is discovered on a remote Greek island, the local police are quick to dismiss her death as an accident. Then a stranger arrives, uninvited, from Athens, announcing his intention to investigate further. His methods are unorthodox, and he brings his own mystery into the web of dark secrets and lies. Who has sent him, on whose authority is he acting, and how does he know of dramas played out decades ago?