Crime Through the Ages: Celebrating National Retro Day
February 27th is National Retro Day, a time to celebrate the styles, trends, and culture of the past. For mystery lovers and crime writers, it’s the perfect opportunity to revisit the golden eras of detective fiction, classic noir, and true crime stories that have influenced generations of storytellers.
The Allure of Retro Crime Fiction
From the hardboiled detectives of the 1920s and 30s to the psychological thrillers of the 1960s and 70s, crime fiction has evolved while keeping its suspenseful core intact. Who can forget the trench-coated Philip Marlowe, Agatha Christie’s meticulous Hercule Poirot, or the gripping plots of Patricia Highsmith? These classic tales continue to inspire modern mystery writers, including members of the NE Florida Sisters in Crime.
Retro Women Mystery Writers and Their Books (1800-1970)
- Anna Katharine Green (1846-1935) – The Leavenworth Case (1878)
- Mary Roberts Rinehart (1876-1958) – The Circular Staircase (1908)
- Agatha Christie (1890-1976) – The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926), And Then There Were None (1939)
- Dorothy L. Sayers (1893-1957) – Whose Body? (1923)
- Josephine Tey (1896-1952) – The Daughter of Time (1951)
- Margery Allingham (1904-1966) – The Crime at Black Dudley (1929)
- Ngaio Marsh (1895-1982) – A Man Lay Dead (1934)
- Patricia Highsmith (1921-1995) – Strangers on a Train (1950)
How to Celebrate National Retro Day – Mystery Edition
Read a Classic: Pick up a mystery novel from a bygone era. Whether it’s a locked-room mystery from the Golden Age or a gritty noir thriller, take a trip back in time.
Watch a Retro Crime Film: Indulge in the atmospheric storytelling of films like Double Indemnity, Rear Window, or Chinatown.
Write with a Vintage Vibe: Challenge yourself to write a short crime story set in a different decade. Think rotary phones, typewriters, and old-fashioned sleuthing.
Share Your Favorites: Join the conversation on social media by sharing your favorite classic crime books, movies, or authors using #RetroMystery #SistersInCrimeNEFL.
Retro mysteries remind us that great storytelling never goes out of style. As we celebrate National Retro Day, let’s pay homage to the legendary crime writers who paved the way for today’s thrilling mysteries.
What’s your favorite vintage crime novel or movie? Let us know in the comments!
Note From The Editor
Our speaker for March is:
George Cramer-Retired Police Officer-Author and PI
From 11:15 am until 2:00 pm
At Hybrid Meeting in Person and On Zoom
101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Don’t forget to register using our online registration form: https://nefloridasistersincrime.org/programs-and-events/rsvp-for-our-next-meeting/
Join our Newsletter to keep up to date with our members, our events and much more: https://nefloridasistersincrime.org/newsletter/
Any member of the National Sisters in Crime organization is welcomed to join our chapter for more local events and fun. CLICK HERE TO JOIN US – our fee is only $20/year but you must be a member of National first.
