Discover the History of Literary Mysteries with Professor David Schmid

Whether you’re a fan of the books or just enjoy the ways in which mystery and suspense have permeated popular culture outlets such as television, movies, radio, podcasts and more, this enlightening chat with Professor David Schmid will shed new light and insights into the genre on Wednesday, November 9, 6-7 PM ET.

Check out Professor Schmid's new course here!

3rd & 7 37yd

Good evening, and thank you all for joining us tonight as we discuss mystery and suspense fiction with our esteemed guest, Professor David Schmid, an award-winning associate professor in the Department of English at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (SUNY). At this time, our chat is now open and you may begin sending your questions to Professor Schmid by clicking on the Submit a Question button.

This is a text based chat, please be patient while the professor is responding. There is an abundance of questions, and we will try to get to as many as possible in this chat. We apologize if we do not get to yours- they are moderated subject to the professor’s approval. Please use appropriate language. If you are having trouble seeing answers, refresh your browser. Thank you, and let’s start the chat!

by The Great Courses edited by TheGreatCourses 11/9/2016 11:00:26 PM

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I love psychological thrillers. What is the greatest horror movie in recent times?

by H0rr0r 11/9/2016 11:01:26 PM

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Hello everyone! I'm very much looking forward to answering your questions. And just in case you were wondering... I'm completely innocent! It was the butler that did it! -Professor David Schmid

by TheGreatCourses 11/9/2016 11:02:27 PM

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What mystery or suspense book most influenced or changed the genre?

by WhoDunIt 11/9/2016 11:03:24 PM

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Learn more about this relationship between police and detective in Professor Schmid's brand new course: The Secrets of Great Mystery and Suspense Fiction.
Have you read any of his works?
True crime is still a very popular genre today

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by The Great Courses edited by The Great Courses 11/9/2016 11:05:19 PM

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How do authors manage the challenge of writing mystery and suspense fiction nowadays, plots set in contemporary society, when almost NO mystery exists anymore, given the ubiquity of security cameras, cell phones, citizen journalism, etc.?

by Therese L Broderick 11/9/2016 11:07:57 PM

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Hi, Dr. Schmid and thanks for doing this. I bought your course and am looking forward to watching it. You cover mysteries and suspense stories, but I wonder if you talk about thrillers as well.

by Dave 11/9/2016 11:10:27 PM

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What are some of your favorite mystery novels?

by Lanny 11/9/2016 11:11:27 PM

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by The Great Courses 11/9/2016 11:12:14 PM

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How did you get into this area of study? Was it a slow evolution or did one book/movie drag you into the genre?

by Aspiring Academic 11/9/2016 11:13:33 PM

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Do you think Stieg Larsson was a misogynist?

by Liz Brown 11/9/2016 11:15:04 PM

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When did the idea of a “red herring” start in mysteries?

by JFSJ 11/9/2016 11:17:25 PM

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Professor Schmid - Professor Chat Clip 1

by The Great Courses via YouTube 11/9/2016 11:18:30 PM

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What's your opinion on "choose your own adventure" books?

by G7R2 11/9/2016 11:19:43 PM

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I used to love Encyclopedia Brown, Cam Jansen, Trixie Beldon, and Nancy Drew. What are some modern versions of kid-friendly mysteries to introduce my children to this genre?

by 1llum1nat1 11/9/2016 11:21:34 PM

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Why do mystery writers give detectives such profound flaws? They are often addicts of some sort or simply have deplorable personalities.

by Miss Fischer 11/9/2016 11:22:41 PM

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What’s the difference between mystery and suspense? Can you have one and not the other?

by WhoDunIt 11/9/2016 11:24:49 PM

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Take a look behind the scenes filming with Professor Schmid.
by The Great Courses 11/30/2016 7:40:00 PMNovember 30 at 2:40 PM
Professor Schmid on the set of his new course.
by The Great Courses 11/30/2016 7:40:00 PMNovember 30 at 2:40 PM
Behind the scenes of The Secrets of Great Mystery and Suspense
Fiction.
by The Great Courses 11/30/2016 7:40:00 PMNovember 30 at 2:40 PM

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by The Great Courses edited by The Great Courses 11/9/2016 11:24:50 PM

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How do true-crime authors get such intimate details and full conversations?

by JFSJ 11/9/2016 11:26:07 PM

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After reading lots of mystery and suspense, I’ve gotten good at figuring out the endings. Can you share a few books that deliver really good, unexpected endings?

by SaulT 11/9/2016 11:28:51 PM

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by The Great Courses 11/9/2016 11:29:18 PM

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Will Jack the Ripper ever be discovered?

by JTR?? 11/9/2016 11:30:55 PM

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Can you recommend some lesser-known series or authors for someone who reads mysteries extensively?

by Kirsten 11/9/2016 11:33:15 PM

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Professor Schmid in very deep thought.
Out and about!

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by The Great Courses edited by The Great Courses 11/9/2016 11:34:14 PM

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What makes for a compelling story that lasts the ages? It seems that once you solve the mystery, the thrill is over. Why can some books/ characters be reread and still remain fresh?

by Aspiring Academic 11/9/2016 11:35:33 PM

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If mystery genera were a cake, what kind would it be?

by Big Red Herring 11/9/2016 11:38:22 PM

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Professor Schmid - Professor Chat Clip 2

by The Great Courses via YouTube 11/9/2016 11:39:03 PM

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What is the difference between a “thriller” and a “suspense” or even a “mystery”? For example, is John Grisham considered to be a writer in the mystery and suspense genre? What about Dan Brown?

by 1llum1nat1 11/9/2016 11:40:08 PM

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Where's the creepiest place you've gotten to research?

by Bigly 11/9/2016 11:41:54 PM

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Would you consider HH Holmes as America's first serial killer?

by Tacotrucks4eva 11/9/2016 11:44:06 PM

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by The Great Courses 11/9/2016 11:44:30 PM

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What makes an ideal villain?

by Curious 11/9/2016 11:45:39 PM

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Are there any cartoon or animated mysteries that you enjoy?

by Sofia Patrillo 11/9/2016 11:47:39 PM

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Learn more about Golden Age Mysteries here.
Have you read any Agatha Christie?
Good vs. Evil

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by The Great Courses edited by The Great Courses 11/9/2016 11:49:13 PM

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What are some examples of new labels recently assigned to sub-categories or sub-genres (genera?) of innovative mystery and suspense novels? For example, do "Twitter mysteries" exist?

by Therese L Broderick 11/9/2016 11:49:39 PM

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What was the worst mystery story you ever read?

by Mister Mystery 11/9/2016 11:52:41 PM

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Professor Schmid - Professor Chat Clip 3

by The Great Courses via YouTube 11/9/2016 11:54:09 PM

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Do you ever get nightmares from these books? Or are you immune by now?

by Tacotrucks4eva 11/9/2016 11:55:26 PM

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Thanks so much for your great questions, everyone! It's been a real pleasure and as Sam Spade once said, "Success to crime!"

by The Great Courses 11/9/2016 11:59:17 PM

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Thank you so much for joining us this evening. A special thank-you goes out to Professor David Schmid for taking the time to provide us with such insightful answers to your questions. If you missed an answer, there will be a transcript of the live chat for everyone to read on our website shortly. We hope you will join us for future chats with our Great Courses instructors.

by TheGreatCourses 11/9/2016 11:59:35 PM

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Tune in on December 15, 2016 for our next chat with Professor Bonura right here at live.thegreatcourses.com!

by TheGreatCourses 11/10/2016 12:00:30 AM

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