If you haven't read a classic mystery novel, perhaps it's time you did. But first, how do you define a classic mystery? Foremost; one that stands the test of time, quality in story telling, character development, and the depth of its theme (morality and truth). According to Katherine Schulten, Sherlock Holmes (A.C. Doyle) is considered the father of what is known as the classic “Golden Age” of English murder mysteries. Other English mystery writers followed throughout the mid-1900s.

Around the same time here in the U.S., another type of detective emerged, a tough, hard nosed P.I. often prone to drinking. Its creator was none other than Dashiell Hammett.

When I checked our catalog it was as if time had stood still. Most of this genre is still popular today. There is a rich assortment of books, CDs, DVDs and both movie and television. You might check out this list of authors: Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes), Agatha Christie (Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, Tupperence), Erle Stanley Gardner (Perry Mason), Dasheill Hammett (Sam Spade, Nick and Nora Charles), Ngaio Marsh (Inspector Roderick Alleyn), Mary Roberts Rinehart (“The Circular Staircase,” “The Door”), Daphane du Maurier (“Rebecca,” “The Birds”), Dorothy Sayers (Lord Peter Whimsey), John D. MacDonald (Travis McGee), Rex Stout (Nero Wolfe), G.K. Chesterton (Father Brown stories), Patricia Wentworth (Miss Silver mysteries), Raymond Chandler (Philip Marlowe), and Wilke Collins (“Woman in White,” “Moonstone”).

Happy reading mystery lovers!