Author Who Addresses The Reader At The Start Of Each Chapter

[barry1010]

Hope you know what I mean, 'for example "Chapter One, in which the dear reader is introduced to Chief Inspector Jones as he is perplexed by a disturbing case".

I made that up as an example but a good 30 years ago I read a series of police procedurals set in the 80s/90s that adopted that style. For the life of me I can't remember the author nor the names of the principal characters.

All suggestions welcome, I would love to read them again.

As an extra, is there a name or term for that style of writing, addressing the reader?

[wolf63]

Google the title of your question. It might set you off on a journey

[jourdain2]

'3rd Person Omniscient' is possibly the term you are looking for. I've just finished a short course on Creative Writing at Bridlington (auspices of Uni. of Hull) and I've looked it up on my notes.

I'm trying to remember the books you mean - I'm sure I've read them somewhere/when.

[jno]

see Breaking the fourth wall

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_narrative_techniques

[barry1010]

Thanks all, hope you can recall those books, jourdain, they were popular

[Ken4155]

Barry, wasn't the George Gently series of books, was it? I read a few of them some years ago and i seem to recall the author using that very style.

[jourdain2]

Yes, you're right jno.

[barry1010]

Ken, I don't recall reading any George Gently but enjoyed the tv series greatly, so I have put them on my reading list. Thank you!

[Ken4155]

^
I did that with the Shetland books, Barry. Quite a disappointment, imho. While the plots were fine, it felt like on every third or fourth page, Ann Cleeves was reminding us of how naive Jimmy Perez is around women. I only managed to read the first two:-(

[barry1010]

I've read every book Ann Cleeves has written and enjoyed every one, I'm sorry you were disappointed with Shetland.

I have mentioned here before that much as I enjoyed the Morse series of books I felt in need of a companion book to explain the references that went over my head, and a Latin dictionary.
I'm sure there were many literary and classical references that I just didn't see.