Welcome to my Official Website. I teach American literature at Fordham University and write about subjects ranging from crime fiction to the scientific search for room-temperature semiconductors. You’ll find links leading to many of my articles on this site.

My new book, Hard-Boiled Sentimentality: The Secret History of American Crime Stories, published by Columbia University Press, was nominated for a 2009 Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America and is now up for a Macavity Award from Mystery Readers International. Read more about the book here, or order it here.