The Evolution of Mystery Sub-genres and its Publishers

The mystery genre has evolved over time, giving rise to a number of sub-genres that appeal to different readers and publishers. Some of the most popular sub-genres include:

1. Cozy mysteries: Cozy mysteries, also known as "traditional" or "amateur" mysteries, feature a small-town setting and a amateur detective solving a murder. They are characterized by their lack of graphic violence or sex, and often include elements of humor and a focus on community and relationships. Cozy mysteries have been popular since the 1920s and publisher such as Crooked Lane Books and Berkley Prime Crime continue to publish them.

2. Noir and Hard-boiled mysteries: Noir and hard-boiled mysteries are characterized by their gritty, urban settings, and often feature a flawed, hard-drinking detective. Noir mysteries often have a darker, more cynical tone than other sub-genres and tend to focus on the seedy underbelly of society. Noir and Hard-boiled mysteries have been popular since the 1920s and are still being published today by publishers such as Soho Press and Hard Case Crime.

3. Psychological thrillers: Psychological thrillers focus on the inner workings of the mind, often delving into the psyche of the criminal and the detective. They often involve a cat-and-mouse game between the two and often include a psychological twist at the end. Psychological thrillers have been popular since the 1990s and continue to be published by publishers such as HarperCollins, Random House, and Simon & Schuster.

4. Historical mysteries: Historical mysteries take place in the past, and often feature a famous historical figure as the detective. They often include elements of history, culture and the time period in the story. Historical mysteries have been popular since the 1980s and continue to be published by publishers such as Minotaur Books and St. Martin's Press.

5. Police procedural: Police procedural mysteries focus on the investigation and solving of a crime, often by a police force or a team of detectives, and often include elements of forensic science. They have been popular since the 1960s and continue to be published by publishers such as Penguin and HarperCollins.

As the mystery genre continues to evolve, new sub-genres are likely to emerge, and publishers will continue to adapt to these changes in order to meet the changing preferences of readers.