Since Edgar Allan Poe invented the modern mystery novel in the mid-19th century, the number of authors writing in this field has steadily increased along with a demand for such literature. As a response to such growth, this text features articles on 100 of the most important writers of the genre.
100 Masters of Mystery and Detective Fiction is a response to the growing attention paid to genre fiction in schools and universtites. Since Edgar Allan Poe invented the modern mystery story in the mid-19th century, the number of authors writing in this field has steadily grown. The 100 authors in this set were selected because of their enduring effect on this field. All of the writers are known primarily for their work in the genre and most of them have made significant contributions to mystery and detective fiction.
