Penguin Readers Factsheets level

T e a c h e r’s n o t e s 1

Crime Story Collection

3

5
by Sara Paretsky and others
6

INTERMEDIATE
S U M M A R Y
he detectives in this crime story collection blend
T traditional with more recent approaches. Popular
contemporary American crime writers Sue Grafton
BACKGROUND AND THEMES

and Sara Paretsky have invented tough private detectives in The theme of this collection, inevitably, is crime and, as usual
the tradition of Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe but their in detective stories, the crime in almost every case is murder.
detectives are women. Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse relies, That said, the theme can be approached in very different
like Sherlock Holmes, on a mixture of inspiration and ways.
deduction and, like Holmes, has a loyal assistant beside him The clearest division among the stories depends on the
to ask him the important questions. point of view. Three focus on the detective (Grafton, Paretsky
The other five stories all focus on the murderer or potential and Dexter) and the rest on the murderer. Short stories
murderer. Patricia Highsmith revolutionized the crime story by focused on the detective lend themselves to the tradition
making ‘an interest in criminal psychology replace the established by Conan Doyle (1859–1930) with Sherlock
puzzle’, and the other three stories in the collection, by Holmes. Our enjoyment comes from the neat way in which
Margery Allingham, Simon Brett and Jack Ritchie, are more the detective considers all the clues and solves the puzzle. In
light-hearted variations along these lines. this collection, Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse comes closest
to this tradition.
Dashiell Hammett (1894–1961) and Raymond Chandler
ABOUT THE AUTHORS (1888–1959) reacted against the detective story as a puzzle,
especially in the work of writers like Agatha Christie
Margery Allingham (1904–66), an English writer born in (1890–1976), because they saw it as unreal and in a sense
London, rivalled Agatha Christie and was far more realistic. immoral, since it treated murder as a kind of game. In their
Most of her novels feature an aristocratic amateur detective, stories tough private detectives investigate a series of crimes,
Albert Campion. usually carried out by professionals. Because they were set in
Sue Grafton (born 1940), who is based in California, has the United States, where there are guns in almost every
written a series of novels around the figure of female household, violence is more common. The female private
detective Kinsey Millhone. detectives in the stories by Sue Grafton and Sara Paretsky in
this collection are in this realistic American tradition. What
Simon Brett (born 1945) is a British writer who has written
holds our interest here as much as the deduction involved is
radio and TV plays as well as books and short stories.
the action.
Sara Paretsky (born 1947) is of Polish origin and is based in
Stories which are focused on the detective assume the
Chicago, like her popular private detective V I Warshawski.
reader is keen to see the problem solved and justice done.
Patricia Highsmith (1921–95) came to prominence when her The authors are free to create murderer and victim as they
novel Strangers on a Train was made into a memorable film choose. In focusing on the murderer, as the other five stories
by Alfred Hitchcock. Ms Highsmith was the first to write a in this collection do, however, the reader cannot help reacting
series of novels featuring a psychopathic killer. Those who to the personality of the criminal and considering his or her
think murderers, even in fiction, should be caught and motivation. One way out is taken by Margery Allingham; in
punished, however, find Ms Highsmith’s work disturbing. her story, the problem is inverted because the potential victim
Jack Ritchie (1922–83), an American writer whose real name outwits the murderer.
was John George Reitci, wrote a number of original detective Simon Brett’s and Jack Ritchie’s stories are really black
stories. comedies, where we are invited to sympathize with the
Colin Dexter (born 1930), an English writer, was educated at criminal, and for this to work the victim must be made
unsympathetic. Simon Brett’s killer acts without
Cambridge University, but lives in Oxford. The setting of his
novels feature Inspector Morse, an Oxford graduate who, premeditation and is not believed when he confesses; Jack
like Dexter himself, loves crosswords and Mozart. A Ritchie’s killer only pretends to kill his wife in order to get
contemporary television series has made Morse the best- money from his rich sister-in-law.
known fictional detective in Britain today. Patricia Highsmith’s stories generally tend to provoke

© Pearson Education 2000

 level
Penguin Readers Factsheets 4
T e a c h e r’s n o t e s
extreme reactions. In almost all crime stories, where the ‘Slowly, Slowly in the Wind’
murderer is sane, the motive is love (in its perverted forms as Put students into small groups to discuss these questions.
jealousy, revenge etc.) or money, or a combination of the two, (a) When the children find the dead body dressed as a
and the murderer is concerned not to be found out. But scarecrow, their reaction is one of ‘terror mixed with
Patricia Highsmith specializes in the study of psychopathic pleasure’. Why?
characters, whose motives and actions are entirely personal (b) Andy decides not to tell the police what he knows.
and hardly relate to the victims. Here she creates an old man Why not?
so filled with hatred that he murders his victim and leaves him The writer suggests that these reactions are natural.
in his field as a scarecrow, and an obviously deranged young Do you agree?
man who kills three people in a museum to gain fame for
himself. Highsmith’s victims are usually unattractive ‘Woodrow Wilson’s Tie’
personalities. Would these stories still be acceptable if Put students into small groups. Ask them to discuss:
Highsmith had made the victims more attractive? What do you think will happen next? Will Clive carry out
his plan?
Finally, in considering short stories, the titles of many of
them here are particularly appropriate. In every case, it is ‘The Absence of Emily’
worth examining why the story was given that particular title. Put students into small groups to discuss: How do you
feel about Albert at the end of this story? Do you think he
is clever? Do you believe that he didn’t kill his first wife?

Communicative activities ‘The Inside Story’

Put students into pairs. At the end of the story Bayley is
The following teacher-led activities cover the same ‘ready to talk’. They act the conversation between Bayley
sections of text as the exercises at the back of the reader, and Morse.
and supplement those exercises. Further supplementary
exercises covering shorter sections of the book can be ACTIVITIES AFTER READING THE BOOK
found on the photocopiable Student’s Activities pages of
Put students into small groups. Ask them to look at their
this Factsheet. These are primarily for use with class
answers to Student’s Activities, Activities Before Reading
readers but, with the exception of discussion and
the Book. Which stories did they prefer, those written from
pair/groupwork questions, can also be used by students
the point of view of the detective or from the point of view
working alone in a self-access centre.
of the murderer? Why?
ACTIVITIES BEFORE READING THE BOOK
Put students into small groups for a discussion.
Why are crime stories among the most popular forms of Glossary
fiction and television series?
It will be useful for your students to know the following new words.
They are practised in the ‘Before You Read’sections of exercises at
ACTIVITIES AFTER READING A SECTION the back of the book. (Definitions are based on those in the Longman
Active Study Dictionary.)
‘Three is a Lucky Number ’
‘Three is a Lucky Number ’
Put students into pairs. One plays the part of Edyth, the bubble (n) a ball of air in liquid
other of a police officer. Act the conversation when Edyth funeral (n) an event held for someone who has just died
first went to the police station. The police already have the inspector (n) a police officer
newspaper stories they showed Edyth and a plan to catch will (n) a document people write saying who they want to leave their
Ronald. money or property to when they die
‘Full Circle’
‘Full Circle’ freeway (n) a wide road in the United States
Put students into pairs. One plays the part of Lieutenant lane (n) one of the parts a road is divided into for one line of traffic
Dolan, the other of Judy Layton. After Terry Layton’s lieutenant (n) a police officer in the United States
death, Judy admits that she knew everything about her ‘How’s Your Mother?’
brother’s relationship with Caroline and how he killed her. bury (v) to put a dead body under the ground
They act the conversation. sergeant (n) a police officer, below an inspector
‘Slowly, Slowly in the Wind’
‘How’s your Mother?’
corn (n) a tall plant grown as a vegetable, called maize in British
Put students into pairs. A few months later the new owner English
of Humphrey Partridge’s house finds the woman’s body in scarecrow (n) an object made to look like a person to frighten birds
the garden. Act the conversation between the owner and away
Sergeant Wallace. ‘Woodrow Wilson’s Tie’
wax (n) a substance made of fats or oils, here used to make copies
‘At the Old Swimming Hole’ of people
Put students into small groups to discuss this question. ‘The Absence of Emily’
This story takes place in the USA, where most people spade (n) a tool used for digging in the ground
have guns. How would it be different if the people in the ‘The Inside Story’
story lived in Britain, where hardly anyone carries a gun? clue (n) an object or information that helps to solve a crime
earthquake (n) a sudden shaking of the earth

Publi sh ed and dis trib ute d by Pea rso n Education

Facts hee t w ri tt en by W S Fowl er
© Pearson Education 2000 Fac tshe et ser ie s dev elop ed by Lo uis e Jame s
 Penguin Readers Factsheets level

Student’s activities 1

Photocopiable
Crime Story Collection 3
These activities can be done alone or with one or more
other students. Pair/group-only activities are marked. 4

5
Activities before reading the book
6
Almost all of the stories in this book are about murder. (b) What does the driver of the Toyota do that makes
We usually read murder stories from the viewpoint of the Kinsey think he is guilty?
detective but in five of these stories the viewpoint is the (c) What sort of car does the man who follows
INTERMEDIATE
murderer’s. What difference do you think this makes to
Caroline around drive?
the way the story is told? As you read the stories, note
(d) What does Kinsey find out with the help of her
which viewpoint is used.
friend, John Birkett?
(e) Why does Kinsey go to see Ron Cagle?
Activities while reading the book (f) Why is the story called ‘Full Circle’?

‘Three is a Lucky Number’ ‘How’s your Mother?’

1 Which of these statements are true, which are false? 1 Who is speaking, who are they talking to, and who or
Correct those that are false. what are they talking about?
(a) Ronald is planning to murder his third wife in the (a) ‘She was eighty-six last July.’
same way as the other two.
(b) ‘I’d like you to go to Antwerp on Monday.’
(b) His first two wives were both rich, with no
(c) ‘Sorry. I couldn’t get this through the letter-box.’
relations.
(d) ‘I had to break a window. I’ve called the police.’
(c) His first wife died soon after the wedding.
(e) ‘People are saying you killed your mother, to get
(d) He murdered his second wife the year before.
her money.’
(e) Edyth seemed to Ronald a suitable person to
(f) ‘She left me when I was six months old.’
murder because she was a teacher.
(g) ‘I don’t expect you to recognize me.’
(f) He married her in her home town.
(h) ‘I’m very sorry about what happened, and you
(g) He waits for a time after the explosion because
can have a little joke if you like.’
he doesn’t want to seem worried too soon.
(h) In Edyth’s drawer he finds all her money in an 2 In this story the murderer succeeds and escapes.
How do you feel about this? Do you feel sorry for his
envelope.
mother? Do you think this is a good way to end the
2 Why do you think the story is called ‘Three is a Lucky story?
Number’? Who is lucky, in this case?
‘At the Old Swimming Hole’
‘Full Circle’
1 Answer these questions.
1 Put the events of the accident in order. (a) Why does Victoria go to the University swimming
(a) Kinsey Millhone is driving home in her pool?
Volkswagen. (b) How does the murderer shoot the dead woman
(b) She sees a blue Toyota coming up behind her. without anyone realizing it at first?
(c) The small white car crashes into a Porsche. (c) Why does Victoria think the man who telephones
(d) She hears a noise like a gunshot. wants to kill Alicia?
(e) She leaves the Toyota driver with the injured girl. (d) How does the cat at Alicia’s apartment save
(f) She sees a young woman driving a white car in Victoria’s life?

her mirror. (e) What does the FBI think Alicia has done?
(f) What information does Ernesto give Victoria?
2 Answer these questions.
(g) How does Victoria realize that Alicia is with her
(a) How do the police realize that Caroline Spurrier
old swimming teacher?
was murdered?

© Pearson Education 2000

 level
Penguin Readers Factsheets 4
Student’s activities

(h) Why does Victoria feel guilty at the end of the ‘The Absence of Emily’
story?
Who is speaking and who are they talking to? What has
2 Work with another student. Imagine that Alicia tells happened or is happening? Give the real answer in each
Victoria the truth when they go back to her apartment. case.
Act the parts of the two women. (a) ‘Hello, dear, this is Emily.’

‘Slowly, Slowly in the Wind’ (b) ‘I thought I saw Emily in town yesterday.’
(c) ‘She fell out of the boat and died in the water.’
Match the halves to make correct sentences
(d) ‘I saw you running. I’ve never seen you run before.’
(a) Skip’s wife left him
(e) ‘It’s a letter from my aunt in Chicago.’
(b) His doctor tells him to leave business and buy a
farm (f) ‘I am looking for old Indian knives.’

(c) His neighbour, Mr Frosby, annoys him (g) ‘She was the woman in the purple dress, and she
copied Emily’s writing.’
(d) Maggie is very pleased when she arrives home
(h) ‘I couldn’t tell her I was going to a health farm, to lose
(e) Skip is angry when he realizes
weight.’
(f) Maggie writes Skip a letter

(g) Skip gives Andy a holiday

‘The Inside Story’
(h) Skip kills himself 1 In this story, the murdered girl, Sheila, wrote a story
herself. Which of the events in Sheila’s story were true
(i) because her father has bought her a car. in her own life and which were not? Correct those that
(ii) that Maggie is falling in love with Pete Frisby. were not true. ‘Her lover’ means Dr Grainger.
(iii) when he sees that the children are going to find (a) She applied for a job as a cleaner in her lover’s
Frisby’s body. house.
(iv) because he was so bad tempered. (b) Her lover was away in the United States.
(v) to tell him she has married Pete Frisby. (c) She was expecting a baby and he was the father.
(vi) because he doesn’t want to sell him the fishing (d) Her lover’s wife was a very beautiful woman.
rights on the river. (e) The gardener at the house had short, fat fingers.
(vii) so he can invite Mr Frisby to his house and kill him. (f) Her lover wrote to her from America to tell her
(viii) because he has had a heart attack. not to have the baby.
(g) His wife wrote to say she was going to marry
‘Woodrow Wilson’s Tie’
another man.
1 Answer these questions.
(h) She set fire to the house but the people who died
(a) Which part of the Hall of Waxworks does Clive were the wife and the gardener.
like most?
2 Why is the story called ‘The Inside Story’?
(b) How is his reaction to it different from that of
most people?
(c) What jobs do Mildred and Fred do? Activities after reading the book
(d) Where does Clive work and what is his job? Work with another student.
(e) Why does Clive put Mildred’s body in the bath?
In almost all murder stories the reason for the murder is
(f) How are the murders discovered?
love (in the sense of jealousy etc.) or money or a mixture
(g) How does Clive make it clear that he is ‘a killer of the two. Discuss the reasons the murderers have for
with a sick mind’? their crime in each story. Is the general rule always true?
(h) Why does he plan to kill a hundred people?

2 Patricia Highsmith was known as ‘The Queen of the

Nasties’. Why do you think she was given this name?
Do you think this is a nasty story? Discuss these
questions with other students.

Publ ished an d dist ri buted by P e ar so n E duca tion

Fac tshe et wr itt en b y W S F ow ler
© Pearson Education 2000
Fa ctshe et s e ri es devel oped by Lo uise J ame s