Some criticize the genre of the ironic detective, considering it cheap literature written specifically for the masses. Others admire and defend these works. But not everyone knows that this genre has a rather deep history, and is not limited by the framework of Dontsova, Polyakova and other famous authors.
The appearance of the ironic detective in the world
Edgar Allan Poe is considered to be the ancestor of the detective genre, however, even attempts to “dress up” the plot of the book are known before him. The emergence of this genre caused a storm of indignation, which has not subsided so far. Even when the genre began to develop and divide into directions.
Edgar Poe's first detective novels were The Murder on Morgue Street (1841), The Secret of Mary Roger (1842), The Stolen Letter (1844), and others.
In the era of postmodernism, the detective genre undergoes decline and subsequent changes, which is the reason for the appearance of the ironic detective. The texts themselves are a kind of parody of classic detective stories, the described situations are full of humor and self-irony of the character.
The founders of this genre can be considered Gaston Leroux (the novel "Enchanted Chair", written in 1909), Georgette Heyer with the novel "The Fatal Ring" (1936). The Hungarian writer Paul Howard (real name - Jene Reito) during his short life (1905-1943) created several works and became the most famous author of ironic detectives.
About fifteen of his novels are known in Russia, including The Secret of the Diamond Coast, Three Musketeers in Africa, Indian Bear’s Summer, Golden Car, The Adventures of Fred Fred, etc.
