Mr. Edwards gives a brief overview of the mystery novel from 1900 up to 1950. Chapters include subjects such as "The Great Detectives" -- books featuring Hercule Poirot, Lord Peter Whimsey, etc., "Miraculous Murders" -- locked room classics by John Dickson Carr, Hake Talbot, Clayton Rawson, and more, "Education" -- murders that happen in English schools, "Multiplying Murders" -- about serial killings, and 20 or so other categories, each with sample books of that type. It's an interesting read and a nice way to find some books to read you may not have heard of (of course he includes some classics by Christie, Sayers, Conan Doyle, etc.) The majority of books outlined are by British authors. Unfortunately he whets your appetite for books that seem impossible to find at reasonable cost.

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