Top 20 Classic Mystery Writers of the 19th and 20th Centuries

Top 20 Classic Mystery Writers of the 19th and 20th Centuries

Dear readers! I have finally come to compile my own selection of my favorite classic authors of the detective genre, who are at the origins of this direction in literature. Their books have long been recognized as bestsellers all over the world, but I hope you will still be able to discover new names.

1. Edgar Allan Poe (1809 - 1849)

An American writer best known as the founder of horror books, but his stories about amateur detective Auguste Dupin are among the very first classic detective stories. If you are not yet familiar with this wonderful author, then be sure to read a small but incredibly exciting detective story that you can read in one evening, completely unlike anything else.

Favorite novels: "Murder in the Rue Morgue", "The Stolen Letter", "The Mystery of Marie Roger".

2. Wilkie Collins (1824 - 1889)

Speaking of the founders of detective stories, it is impossible not to mention Wilkie Collins. The author of historical-adventure detectives with a fairly pronounced love line is still read in one breath and does not become obsolete at all.

The author perfectly manages to keep the reader in constant tension until the very end, each character is in his place and for a reason, they are all needed to help the reader unravel all the mysteries and riddles.

Favorite novels: "The Moonstone", "The Woman in White", "Armadel".

3. Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930)

He became famous as the creator of one of the most popular detective couples - Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

More than 60 works were dedicated by Sir Conan Doyle to these characters, A huge number of both classic screen adaptations, as well as all kinds of alterations, sequels and variations on the theme are worthy of coverage in a separate post, and not in one, because you can talk about them for a very long time.

Favorite novels: "The Hound of the Baskervilles", "The Motley Ribbon", "Dancing Men", "The Rite of the House of Musgrave".

4. Agatha Christie (1890-1976)

Known as the queen of the classic English detective. She has more than 60 novels and many short stories to her credit, in which the investigation is conducted not only by the well-known Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot, but also by not so popular characters Superintendent Battle, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford and other characters found only in single stories. Only the lazy have not heard of her most famous novels, even those who have not read the books have seen numerous film adaptations of "Ten Negroes", "Death on the Nile", "Murder on the Orient Express" - incredibly popular and unusual detective stories.

Favorite novels: "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd", "Death Comes at the End", "The Mirror Cracked", "Murder Announced".

5. John Dixon Carr (1906-1977)

An American author of detective stories, whose books are distinguished by an abundance of mysterious details, mystical hints, and ancient legends. Carr is very fond of playing with the theme of murder in a closed room in his novels. His most famous heroes are Dr. Gideon Fell and Sir Henry Merrivale [written under the pseudonym Carter Dixon].

Favorite novels: "The Witch's Lair", "The Emperor's Snuffbox", "High Noon of Ghosts" and The Third Bullet.

6. Earl Stanley Gardner (1889-1970)

An American writer who has published more than 120 novels. Gardner also wrote under the pseudonyms A. A. Fair, C. Kendrake, C. J. Smith. Kenny. The most famous series of his novels about lawyer Perry Mason, in which he has invested a lot of personal experience since working as a lawyer. His books are not replete with descriptions and details of everyday life. the main thing that Garner wants to attract the reader to is the investigation itself.

Favorite novels: "The Case of the Velvet Claws", "The Case of the Gatekeeper's Cat", "The Case of the Lame Canary"

7. Georges Simenon (1903-1989)

The Belgian writer is the creator of the famous detective Commissioner Maigret. One of the most prolific authors - he has more than 400 novels to his credit, 80 of which are about Migre. Perhaps this is one of the most mystical authors of detective stories in their books.

Favorite novels: "Maigret is angry", "The Two-Penny Tavern", "Maigret and the Man on the Bench", "Maigret and the Dead Man".

8. James Chase (1906 - 1985)

The English writer is a popular author of a cool, criminal detective story. This is not my favorite direction in detective stories, but Chase's detectives are distinguished by the special atmosphere of the American underworld, the detail and detail of the descriptions of cities, and this is taking into account that Chase has never lived in America, and he wrote the first dozen novels without even visiting the United States.

Favorite novels: "No Orchids for Mrs. Blandish", "You'll Be Lonely in Your Grave", "Lay Her Among the Lilies".

9. Rex Stout (1886-1975)

Stout is an American writer, the author of a series of novels, perhaps the second most popular, after Holmes and Watson, detective couple - Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. Nero Woodf turned out to be a rather eccentric personality, one of the main "chips" of the hero was his unwillingness to leave his own home. He investigates all cases "without looking", simply comparing the facts that Archie Goodwin supplies him.

Favorite novels: "The Golden Spiders", "The League of Frightened Gentlemen", "A Glass of Champagne", "Fatal Accident".

10. Sébastien Japriso (1931 - 2003)

French author of unusual and tense novels, not only a writer, but also a screenwriter. Japriso's detectives are distinguished by an intricate plot, when until the last lines it is not clear what is happening and which of the characters is the victim and who is the villain.

Favorite novels: "Killing Summer", "Lady in a Car with Glasses and a Gun", "Cinderella Trap", "Death Row Compartment".

11. Carter Brown (1923-1985)

Australian writer, author of almost 300 novels, he is often called the guru of the detective genre. His novels perfectly combine a dashingly twisted plot and pleasant unobtrusive humor, his novels with "tough guys in the role of detectives, rosary and concise, captivating the reader from the very first lines

Favorite novels: "Poison Ivy", "House of Witchcraft", "Black Orchids".

12. Nyo Marsh (1895 - 1982)

A writer of intellectual detective stories, originally from New Zealand, the author of 32 novels. Its most famous detective, aristocrat and Scotland Yard inspector Roderick Alleyn. Speaking of the golden age of the detective, Nyo Marsh is often compared to Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers in terms of the manner of writing. So, if you have already reread everything in these two ladies, I recommend that you take a closer look at Marsh's books.

Favorite novels: "Dead Water", "Constables at Every Step", "Death and the Dancing Footman", "Death on a Birthday".

13. Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936)

He is the president of the detective club in London, the author of wonderful classic detective stories about the amateur detective Father Brown, the action of which develops in the English countryside according to all the canons of the genre. Father Brown uses in his reflections and searches not only and not so much the method of deduction, but knowledge of human nature and understanding of characters and motivations.

Favorite novels: "The Wisdom of Father Brown", "Father Brown's Sunday", "The Secret of Father Brown"

14. Dorothy Sayers (1893-1957)

An English writer of detective novels, translator and philologist, her work is divided into several stages, when she experimented in different directions with the characters of the characters, their images and the manner of investigation. She was inspired by the work of Wilkie Colins and imitated his novels "Nine Bells", "Documents in Action", then the style of her detectives changed somewhat and detective Peter Wimsey appeared in her work, in addition, she did a lot of work on three anthologies dedicated to the study of the detective genre.

Favorite novels: "Whose Body?", "Honeymoon in the Hive", "Corpse Wanted".

15. Peter Cheney (1896 - 1951)

A very popular author in the last century, the English author of the book, who is distinguished by a fast-paced plot and dashing plot twists, is now undeservedly rarely mentioned, the books are not reprinted and can only be found in libraries and second-hand bookstores. His most famous heroes are detective Slim Callahan, gentleman robber Alonzo McTavish, and FBI agent Lemmy Koshen.

Favorite novels: "Poison Ivy", "Black Duet", "Enough for Today".

16. Sidney Sheldon (1917-2007)

The most famous American, writer, screenwriter and producer, in whose books the detective story is intertwined with melodrama and an action-packed love novel, the plot is dynamic. The author does not spare his characters, constantly bringing down all kinds of troubles and twists and turns on their heads. In Sheldon's works, on the one hand, you can feel the general style and plot structure, on the other hand, they are very diverse - the actions of the novels unfold in the most unusual places and countries, he is an excellent visual and a master of creating a bright and memorable picture, not to the detriment of the main plot of the book.

Favorite novels: "If Tomorrow Comes", "The Schemer", "The Other Side of Midnight".

17. Boileau-Narcejac is the pseudonym of two French writers, Pierre-Louis Boileau (1906-1989) and Thomas Narcejac (1908-1998).

The masters of French literature know how to twist the intrigue, masterfully convey the atmosphere of tension and keep the reader impatient, waiting for an incredible denouement. In their books, there is no permanent hero who leads investigations, because the main feature is that the focus of the narrative is shifted from the detective to the victim.

Favorite novels: "Victims", "The One Who Was Gone", "The Conjuring", "Wolves".

18. Richard Wallace (1875 - 1932)

The founder of the detective thriller in literature and screenwriter. His detective stories can be described as police thrillers. One of the most prolific authors, stunning with his incredible writing speed. He rarely used one character in multiple stories, and most of his books are not serial works. A huge number of his books have been filmed.

Favorite novels: "Face in the Dark", "Clever Mr. Reeder", "Room No13".

19. Joanna Chmielewska (1932-2013)

A Polish writer of ironic detective stories, the first author I met in this genre. We must pay tribute to the ironic component of the detective story is not lost at all, its books are easy and exciting to read. In many of her novels, the main character is Mrs. Joanna, the prototype of which was Chmielewska herself. In addition, it is worth noting her children's series of detective stories about brother and sister Pavlik and Yanochka and a teenage and two cheerful girlfriends Terezka and Spulka

Favorite novels: "All Red", "We Are All Under Suspicion", "Haunted House".

20. Phyllis James (1920-2014)

A classic of the English detective, a series of books about Adam Dalglish, a policeman-poet, captivates with the elaboration of details and well-written characters, even secondary ones. Her books are characterized by unhurriedness, thoughtfulness and detail of the narrative, like many classic detective stories, while her novels cannot be called boring - they have everything you need for an interesting read.

Favorite novels: "The Mystery of Nightingale", "Cover Her Face", "Inappropriate Occupation for a Woman".

Did you find new names for yourself in this selection? Who are your favorite classics of the detective genre?

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