Undertones

Undertones is a ground-breaking reference book on jazz in crime fiction. As
the opening historical overview shows, crime and jazz are soulmates in
popular (esp American) culture and this book is by far the most exhaustive –
but also entertaining- survey of the interaction of both.
The book is divided into two parts. The first is comprised of essays framing
some of the jazz crime novels in their historical context and giving the casual
reader a better understanding of the genre. Essays on ragtime and the
blues offer insight into jazz roots. Other essays are regional (New York,
Chicago, New Orleans, Kansas City, San Francisco, Los Angeles (black &
white)), or set abroad. Four essays are topical: Private Eyes and Jazz
(“Jazz Eyes”), Cops and Jazz, Jazz and Drugs, and Jazz in Spy and Thriller
novels.
The second part consists of an annotated bibliography of books, short stories
and magazines as well as lists of: authors and their series characters, series
characters and their authors, geographic locations, crime jazz topics, a
chronology, a discography, a “Hot 100 list” and a list of jazz books and short
stories by author.
1. Introduction
Part 1
2. Essays:
Jazz Roots: 1. Ragtime
2. The Blues
Regional & Other Mysteries:
1. New Orleans
2. Kansas City
3. Chicago
4. New York City
5. West Coast Jazz: L.A., the Other L.A. and San
Francisco (3 essays)
6. Jazz Abroad
Private Eyes and Jazz (“Jazz Eyes”)
Cops and Jazz
Jazz and Drugs
Jazz and Spy/Thrillers
Part 2
3. Charts & Lists:
Authors & Their Series Characters
Series Characters & Their Authors
Book List with Summaries (Book Listing: Books, Short Stories,
Magazines)
Discography
Chronology
Geographic Locations
This & That-Topics
Hot One Hundred (Personal Favorites)
Jazz List by Authors
BIOGRAPHY
Nancy Stephanie Stone is a recognised world authority on Crime and Thriller
fiction. She wrote “A Reader’s Guide to the Spy and Thriller Novel (Reader’s
guides to mystery