The murder of Roger Ackroyd.--And then there were none.--Witness for the prosecution.--Death on the Nile.

Don’t miss Magpie Murders on PBS's MASTERPIECE Mystery! "A double puzzle for puzzle fans, who don’t often get the classicism they want from contemporary thrillers." —Janet Maslin, The New York Times New York Times Bestseller | Winner of the Macavity Award for Best Novel | NPR Best Book of the Year | Washington Post Best Book of the Year | Esquire Best Book of the Year From the New York Times bestselling author of Moriarty and Trigger Mortis, this fiendishly brilliant, riveting thriller weaves a classic whodunit worthy of Agatha Christie into a chilling, ingeniously original modern-day mystery. When editor Susan Ryeland is given the manuscript of Alan Conway’s latest novel, she has no reason to think it will be much different from any of his others. After working with the bestselling crime writer for years, she’s intimately familiar with his detective, Atticus Pünd, who solves mysteries disturbing sleepy English villages. An homage to queens of classic British crime such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Alan’s traditional formula has proved hugely successful. So successful that Susan must continue to put up with his troubling behavior if she wants to keep her job. Conway’s latest tale has Atticus Pünd investigating a murder at Pye Hall, a local manor house. Yes, there are dead bodies and a host of intriguing suspects, but the more Susan reads, the more she’s convinced that there is another story hidden in the pages of the manuscript: one of real-life jealousy, greed, ruthless ambition, and murder. Masterful, clever, and relentlessly suspenseful, Magpie Murders is a deviously dark take on vintage English crime fiction in which the reader becomes the detective.

Several valuable paintings have been stolen from the prestigious Manhattan Museum of Art, and the museum's curator--who may have witnessed the crime--has been murdered. Now, as detectives Matt and Brooke Devlin sort through an elegant gallery of suspects, contradictory evidence, and concealed motives, they find themselves being framed by a calculating killer poised to conclude their investigation with a deadly finishing stroke.

An artist of death is stalking Victorian London, recreating earlier masterpieces of murder. Police suspicion falls on the notorious 'opium-eater' Thomas De Quincey, recently returned to the capital, who wrote in detail about the original crimes. Someone is using his essays as inspiration - and he must uncover the truth before the killer completes his work. In MURDER AS A FINE ART, London becomes a battleground between a literary star and a brilliant murderer - whose lives are linked by secrets long buried, but never forgotten.

Society columnist Nora Blackbird is thrust into the world of celebrity tabloid gossip when a billionaire buys the farm…. Nora’s assigned to write a profile on billionaire fashion designer Swain Starr, who recently retired to build a high-tech organic farm with his new wife, Zephyr, a former supermodel. But before Nora can get the story, the mogul is murdered. And now her boss wants her to snap up an exclusive on who killed Starr before the cops do. But solving this murder won’t be easy with a family as colorful as Nora’s. Mick, her sort-of husband, is associating with unsavory characters from his past. Her sister Libby is transforming into a stage mom for her diabolical twins. And Emma, the youngest Blackbird, is mysteriously kicked out of the house by Mick. Nora’s home life may be hogging the spotlight, but there’s also a matter of Starr’s missing pig, which just might be the key to solving this mystery and the way Nora can bring home the bacon….

Famed for having killed his cousin Alessandro, the Duke of Florence, in 1537, but also for writing accomplished literary works, including a comedy and several poems, Lorenzino de' Medici remains one of the most enigmatic figures of Italian literature. In his masterpiece, Apology for a Murder, he reveals the inner motives behind his act, portraying himself as a hero to be numbered alongside the great tyrannicides of ancient Rome and Greece.Lorenzino himself, in 1548, was murdered by two soldiers hired either by the emperor Charles V or by Cosimo, Alessandro's successor as Duke, and this volume includes the dramatic account of his killing by Francesco Bibboni, one of the assassins, as well as a selection of Lorenzino's poems, giving a fully rounded image of the antihero of Alfred de Musset's Lorenzaccio.

50 Masterpieces of Murder Mystery & Detective Fiction (Vol. 2) presents an unparalleled amalgamation of narrative brilliance, showcasing the diverse range of literary styles and themes that have defined and evolved the genres of murder mystery and detective fiction. The collection brings together an astonishing array of works from the nineteenth to the early twentieth centuries, adopting perspectives from gothic horror to whimsical mystery and hard-boiled detective stories. This volume not only highlights the versatility and depth of the genres but also features standout pieces that have become keystones in the literary canon, weaving together intricate plots, captivating characters, and rich atmospheric settings without attributing prominence to a single author, instead celebrating the collective achievements. The anthology stands as a testament to the ever-changing landscape of mystery and detective literature, offering readers an unprecedented journey through its developmental milestones. The contributing authors, including luminaries like Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Edgar Allan Poe, and Fyodor Dostoyevsky, among others, are pivotal figures whose works have significantly influenced the literary world. This collection provides insight into the historical and cultural backdrops that these authors navigated, reflecting a range of societal concerns and human experiences through the lens of crime and investigation. These stories not only conform to the literary movements of their times but surpass them, creating a mosaic of narratives that transcend cultural and temporal boundaries. The diverse backgrounds of the authors enrich the anthology, bringing together a spectrum of philosophical, ethical, and psychological perspectives that underpin the core of murder mystery and detective fiction. For aficionados of literature, 50 Masterpieces of Murder Mystery & Detective Fiction (Vol. 2) offers a unique opportunity to explore the complexities and intricacies of human nature and societal dynamics through a collection that showcases the finest in the genre. This volume is an essential addition to the libraries of readers seeking to immerse themselves in the world of suspense, mystery, and intellectual challenge. It invites an educational journey that spans various landscapes of human emotion and logic, encouraging a deepened appreciation for the art of storytelling. Each page promises an enlightening experience, culminating in a richer understanding and a renewed curiosity about what truly makes a masterpiece in murder mystery and detective fiction.