Poe as a Patron Saint of Murder

Abstract

Abstract:Although he wrote about many other things, Poe has long been somewhat pigeonholed as the author of tales featuring dramatic deaths and as the father of the modern detective story. That combination appears to have made him an irresistible connection for journalists seeking to add interest to an ongoing series of articles about murder. Such articles not only caught the eye of general readers but may have been intended to serve as a warning to those who were guilty of having committed the crimes—you may find it impossible to keep your secret.