In this ambitious and exciting work Richard Maxwell uses nineteenth-century urban fiction--particularly the novels of Victor Hugo and Charles Dickens--to define a genre, the novel of urban mysteries. His title comes from the "mystery mania" that captured both sides of the channel with the runaway success of Eugene Sue's Les mysteres de Paris and G. W. M. Reynold's Mysteries of London. Richard Maxwell argues that within these extravagant but fact-obsessed narratives, the archaic form of allegory became a means for understanding modern cities. The city dwellers' drive to interpret linked the great metropolises with the discourses of literature and art (the primary vehicles of allegory). Dominant among allegorical figures were labyrinths, panoramas, crowds, and paperwork, and it was thought that to understand a figure was to understand the city with which it was linked. Novelists such as Hugo and Dickens had a special flair for using such figures to clarify the nature of the city. Maxwell draws from an array of disciplines, ideas, and contexts. His approach to the nature and evolution of the mysteries genre includes examinations of allegorical theory, journalistic practice, the conventions of scientific inquiry, popular psychiatry, illustration, and modernized wonder tales (such as Victorian adaptations of the Arabian Nights). In The Mysteries of Paris and London Maxwell employs a sweeping vision of the nineteenth century and a formidable grasp of both popular culture and high culture to decode the popular mysteries of the era and to reveal man's evolving consciousness of the city. His style is elegant and lucid. It is a book for anyone curious about the fortunes of the novel in thenineteenth century, the cultural history of that period, particularly in France and England, the relations between art and literature, or the power of the written word to produce and present social knowledge.

Ted and Kat watched their cousin Salim board the London Eye. But after half an hour it landed and everyone trooped off–except Salim. Where could he have gone? How on earth could he have disappeared into thin air? Ted and his older sister, Kat, become sleuthing partners, since the police are having no luck. Despite their prickly relationship, they overcome their differences to follow a trail of clues across London in a desperate bid to find their cousin. And ultimately it comes down to Ted, whose brain works in its own very unique way, to find the key to the mystery. This is an unput-downable spine-tingling thriller–a race against time.

Each mystery incorporates history, geography, culture and cliffhanger chapters that keep kids begging for more Each mystery includes SAT words, educational facts, fun and humor, built-in book club and activities. Each Carole Marsh Mystery also has an Accelerated Reader quiz, a Lexile Level, and a Fountas & Pinnell guided reading level. Mimi and Papa speed away to London, England in their little red and white airplane, The Mystery Girl. Tagging along are grandchildren Christina, 10, and Grant, 7. Mimi, a children's mystery book writer, has an appointment with the Queen Papa is headed for the Rosetta Stone. The kids are supposed to go to the Tower of London and behave themselves. But, uh-oh, Grant spots a big problem with Big Ben...and he and his sister, along with their two new best friends, George and Maggie, take a whirlwind tour from the top of the Eye, up the Thames River, down into a dungeon, and more -- in search of clues to solve The Mystery of Big Ben More about the Around the World in 80 Mysteries series: Travel around the world with Christina and Grant as they visit famous places in 80 countries. Exciting adventures include history, geography, culture, and more of each country they visit. A fun way to learn about fascinating places around the world Each book includes a map, inline glossary definitions, and lots more Each mystery incorporates history, geography, culture and cliffhanger chapters that keep kids begging for more Each mystery includes SAT words, educational facts, fun and humor, built-in book club and activities. Each Carole Marsh Mystery also has an Accelerated Reader quiz, a Lexile Level, and a Fountas & Pinnell guided reading level. Beginning in 2006, kids can visit the www.carolemarshmysteries.com website to: Join the Carole Marsh Mysteries Fan Club Write a letter to Christina, Grant, Mimi, or Papa Cast their vote for where the next mystery should take place Find fascinating facts about the countries where the mysteries take place Track their reading on an international map Take the Fact or Fiction online quiz Play the Around-the-World Scavenger Hunt computer game Find out where The Mystery Girl is flying next And more Read all the books in any order Want a sneak preview of this great mystery? Click HERE to download the first three chapters (approximately 226 KB) The Mystery at Big Ben is recommended by Sylvan Learning's Book Adventure reading program. Book Adventure is a FREE reading motivation program for children in grades K-8. Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of tutoring and supplemental education services to students of all ages. Each mystery incorporates history, geography, culture and cliffhanger chapters that keep kids begging for more Each mystery includes SAT words, educational facts, fun and humor, built-in book club and activities. Each Carole Marsh Mystery also has an Accelerated Reader quiz, a Lexile Level, and a Fountas & Pinnell guided reading level.