When her husband is murdered using a method from one of her books, a screenwriter becomes the main suspect A successful writer and a B-movie director seem like the perfect match in the Hollywood Hills and, with him working to produce her novel for an upcoming film, the pair’s recent marriage isn’t the only way that they’re connected. When the husband is found murdered on the wife’s birthday using a method of poisoning that was described in one of her books, Victoria suddenly becomes the main suspect as her new happy life comes crashing down around her. The case appears straightforward from the outside but the LAPD investigator on the scene finds the truth to be anything but. Though all the signs point to Victoria, there’s no motive to be found. Now, to solve the mystery of whodunnit, he’ll have to dig beneath the veneer of the household and reveal its inner workings, and to understand the deadly drama that unfolded just beneath the surface. Reprinted for the first time in over half a century, The Birthday Murder is a beautifully written and psychologically astute Golden Age mystery set in old Los Angeles. It will appeal to fans of vintage whodunnits and of standout domestic suspense authors from the era such as Dorothy B. Hughes, Charlotte Armstrong, and Margaret Millar.

In these classic mystery tales, literature is a matter of life or death Of crime fiction’s many sub-genres, none is so reflexive and so intriguing as the “bibliomystery”: stories that involve crimes set, somehow, in the world of books. In Vincent Starrett’s “A Volume of Poe,” a bookseller is murdered; in Ellery Queen’s “The Adventure of the Three R’s,” the detective tracks the disappearance of a local Missouri author; and a killer stalks the stacks of the New York Public Library in Robert L. Blochman’s “Death Walks in Marble Halls.” With fourteen tales of bibliophilic transgression from the Golden Age of the mystery genre (the decades between the two World Wars), this volume collects stories guaranteed to entertain, featuring work from well-remembered authors such as Cornell Woolrich and Anthony Boucher and from those that are lesser-known today, such as Carolyn Wells and James Gould Cozzens. Edgar Award-winning anthologist, editor, bookseller, and mystery scholar Otto Penzler has focused extensively on the history of the bibliomystery, and his expertise shines in this enjoyable collection—both in the selection of stories, and in the informative and illuminating introductions that accompany each one.

The cult classic mystery that John Dickson Carr hailed as “a marvel of ingenuity.” “I came here to make a dead man change his mind.” So begins a creepy and unusual mystery celebrated to this day as one of the greatest “impossible crime” novels of all time. When a family’s promise to protect the beloved pine grove of their dead father creates a financial strain, a seance is suggested to summon the ghost of the late logger and ask its permission. A mixed group of skeptics and believers convene at a snow-bound lodge to call the spirit with a group that includes a gambler, a businessman, a clairvoyant, a professor, and a refugee, among others. With so many diverse interests at the table, the tensions run high — but when one of the participants ends up dead, there is reason to suspect that a nefarious spirit is to blame. The body is discovered in a locked room, impenetrable from the outside — just one of many bizarre and inexplicable circumstances surrounding the scene of the crime. There is also the trail of footprints in the snow, beginning and ending amid a field of untouched powder; another on the roof, with the tracks leading for a short distance before vanishing into nothingness; and, there are fingerprints on a gun suspended at an unreachable height… Supernatural undertones and eerie atmosphere clear away in the third act to present a logical conclusion to the case, teasing out the clues and murder methods that unscrupulous readers may have missed. With its off-beat exposition, puzzling plot and exceptional prose, Rim of the Pit is a cult classic of the Golden Age era deserving of a wide audience today.

When her husband is murdered using a method from one of her books, a screenwriter becomes the main suspect

The 'BRITISH MURDER MYSTERIES Boxed Set' encompasses an illustrious collection that transcends the mere confines of thriller classics, detective novels, and true crime stories, presenting readers with a panorama of literary artistry. From the fog-laden streets of Victorian London to the intricate puzzles of the early twentieth century, this anthology showcases a diverse range of storytelling techniques, narrative structures, and ingenious plot developments that have shaped and defined the genre. The inclusion of standout pieces from renowned figures adds depth, ensuring the collections place within the broader literary context of mystery and detective fiction. The anthology not merely entertains but serves as a testament to the evolution of the mystery genre. The contributing authors, including luminaries such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and Wilkie Collins, among others, collectively offer a rich tapestry of cultural and historical perspectives. Their individual and joint contributions illuminate the myriad ways in which the mystery genre has encapsulated societal anxieties, moral dilemmas, and the quintessential human quest for justice and truth. The backgrounds of these authors, spanning different epochs and socio-political milieu, reflect the evolution of detective fiction in response to changing societal norms and literary tastes, aligning the collection with significant cultural and literary movements. This anthology is an indispensable treasure for aficionados of the mystery genre, educators seeking to broaden their curriculum, and anyone with an interest in the intersection between crime, society, and literature. The 'BRITISH MURDER MYSTERIES Boxed Set' offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the works of some of the most influential figures in detective literature. It invites readers to embark on a labyrinthine journey through the hallmarks of suspense and intrigue, providing a unique lens through which to explore the complexities of human nature and the perennial allure of the mysterious.

This meticulously edited collection is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents: Edgar Wallace: The Four Just Men The Council of Justice The Just Men of Cordova The Law of the Four Just Men The Nine Bears Angel Esquire The Fourth Plague or Red Hand Grey Timothy or Pallard the Punter The Man who Bought London The Melody of Death A Debt Discharged The Tomb of T'Sin The Secret House The Clue of the Twisted Candle Down under Donovan The Man who Knew The Green Rust Kate Plus Ten The Daffodil Murder Jack O'Judgment The Angel of Terror The Crimson Circle Take-A-Chance Anderson The Valley of Ghosts P.-C. Lee Series Arthur Conan Doyle: Sherlock Holmes Series A Study in Scarlet The Sign of Four The Hound of the Baskervilles The Valley of Fear The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes The Return of Sherlock Holmes His Last Bow Other Mysteries True Crime Stories Wilkie Collins: The Woman in White No Name Armadale The Moonstone The Haunted Hotel The Law and The Lady The Dead Secret Miss or Mrs? R. Austin Freeman: Dr. Thorndyke Series Other Mysteries Agatha Christie: The Mysterious Affair at Styles The Secret Adversary H. C. McNeile: Bulldog Drummond The Black Gang G. K. Chesterton: The Innocence of Father Brown The Wisdom of Father Brown Arthur Morrison: Martin Hewitt Series Dorrington & Hicks Stories Ernest Bramah: Max Carrados Stories Victor L. Whitechurch: The Canon in Residence Thrilling Stories of the Railway Thomas W. Hanshew: Hamilton Cleek Series E. W. Hornung: A. J. Raffles Series Mystery Novels J. S. Fletcher: Mystery Novels Paul Campenhaye – Specialist in Criminology Rober Barr: The Triumph of Eugéne Valmont Jennie Baxter, Journalist The Adventures of Sherlaw Kombs The Adventure of the Second Swag Frank Froest Mystery Novels C. N. Williamson & A. M. Williamson Mystery Novels Isabel Ostander Mystery Novels

THE GREAT BRITISH DETECTIVES boxed set is an unparalleled collection that spans the rich tapestry of early twentieth-century British detective literature. Curated to showcase the diversity of narrative techniques, settings, and characters, this anthology embarks on a thrilling journey through the fog-laden streets of London to the country's quaint villages, encapsulating the golden age of detective fiction. The assortment includes seminal works that have shaped the genre, blending intellectual puzzles with suspenseful storytelling, and features contributions from literary titans to hidden gems. The thematic cohesion around mystery and intrigue is brilliantly executed, offering readers an exhaustive exploration of the detective genre's evolution. The authors represented in this collectionamong them Arthur Conan Doyle, G. K. Chesterton, and Edgar Wallacebring together a wealth of literary experience and accolades. Their backgrounds, ranging from journalism to medicine, have informed their storytelling, infusing their narratives with authenticity and complexity. This anthology situates itself within significant literary and cultural movements, reflecting societal anxieties and the universal quest for truth and justice. These narratives not only entertain but also offer intriguing insights into the zeitgeist of early 20th-century Britain. For aficionados of detective stories, THE GREAT BRITISH DETECTIVES boxed set opens a veritable treasure chest of narrative riches. The volume is an indispensable addition to the libraries of those keen to immerse themselves in the intrigue and intellect of classic detective literature. It stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of the genre, inviting readers on a journey of discovery through the minds of its most gifted architects. This collection is not merely a historical artifact; it is a vibrant conversation across generations, inviting reflection on the timeless themes of morality, law, and the human condition.