Florida Noir traces the rise of crime fiction in the Sunshine State, beginning in the late 19th century with a remarkably successful self-published Anglo-American novelist. As American writers began re-inventing the detective stories made possible by Edgar Allen Poe and Arthur Conan Doyle, Florida writers began exploring the genre’s possibilities. This program by Maurice O’Sullivan explores the journey of Florida’s crime fiction and how the state’s unique environment and characters influence modern-day mysteries both on the page and screen.

After brief careers as a teamster and jail guard, Maurice “Socky” O’Sullivan spent almost five decades as the Kenneth Curry Professor of Literature at Rollins College. An award-winning professor, editor, columnist, and filmmaker, he has served as President of both the Florida College English Association and the Florida Historical Society. His books include The Florida Reader, Florida in Poetry, and Crime Fiction and Film in the Sunshine State, among others.

Funding for this Florida Talks program is provided in part by Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities and in partnership with the Sulphur Springs Museum and Heritage Center. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.