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Women of Mystery

by Pamela Briggs

Female heroes seek truth and justice

What do authors Sue Grafton, Sara Paretsky, and Marcia Muller have in common? Their novels about courageous, strong, intelligent women private investigators have revolutionized contemporary detective fiction. With V.I. Warshawski, Kinsey Millhone and Sharon McCone, the female private eye entered the scene of detective fiction. Diving into the wilderness of the unknown, she saw what no one else had seen and told a new story. WOMEN OF MYSTERY is the first film to celebrate the writers who started a literary revolution and, in the process, captured readers' imagination around the world. WOMEN OF MYSTERY includes dramatizations that capture familiar characters and themes from the novels, engaging scenes with each author exploring her heroine's home turf, and intimate interviews that reveal the complex relationship between author and heroine. To learn more about the highly popular WOMEN OF MYSTERY Screening-Reading-Discussion program, read the November 2003 AMERICAN LIBRARIES article "Women of Mystery: A filmmaker and a librarian team up to connect crime authors with social issues on the page, on film, and in the library." Participants engage in lively discussions of contemporary literary and social issues. Program materials, including discussion questions, bibliographies, author bios, graphics, and interviews with the filmmakers, are available from California Center for the Book: www.calbook.org

quoteFrom candid discussions to surprising views on the nature of crime and justice. Highly recommended.
Video Librarian
full review

quoteABSORBING! The authors are candid and revealing on issues of truthfulness...and use the emotions of their characters to stir readers into reflecting on their own fears and instincts.
Nicole Campos
Los Angeles Weekly
full review

quoteWOMEN OF MYSTERY has been an incredible success! I urge anyone who does public programming to consider this one. You will not be disappointed.
Programming librarian
San Diego Public Library

quoteIdeal for courses in women writers, popular culture, and women's studies; its narrative compression and complexity as well as the provocative comments by the three writers, should prompt lively discussion among students.
Maureen Reddy, Professor
English and Women's Studies
Rhode Island College

quoteOne of ten OUTSTANDING VIDEOS, chosen from programs reviewed over the past five years highlighting the contributions of women throughout history.
Booklist

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AWARDS & SCREENINGS:

  • Editor's Choice, BOOKLIST
  • Editor's Pick, THE WRITER
  • Featured in the Exxon Mobil Masterpiece Theatre "Book & Film Club II: A Guide for Libraries"
Women of Mystery

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Appropriate for: High School College/University

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