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Classic Mysteries

Short reviews of classic mystery novels and stories that are worth reading and re-reading

Ranked #1

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"Maigret Goes to School," by Georges Simenon

"Maigret Goes to School," by Georges Simenon

Maigret takes time off from work to investigate a murder on his own, to help a schoolteacher who traveled to Paris to en... Read more

19 May 2019

5mins

Ranked #2

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"The Chinese Orange Mystery," by Ellery Queen

"The Chinese Orange Mystery," by Ellery Queen

The murder was apparently impossible, taking place in a locked and bolted room. And when they broke into that room, ever... Read more

5 Nov 2019

5mins

Ranked #3

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"Fer-de-Lance," by Rex Stout

"Fer-de-Lance," by Rex Stout

It took Nero Wolfe to demonstrate to police that a mysterious death was actually a case of murder. And that's when life ... Read more

2 Dec 2019

5mins

Ranked #4

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"Nine Times Nine", by Anthony Boucher

"Nine Times Nine", by Anthony Boucher

The charismatic cult leader was seen through a window apparently murdering his victim - but when police broke in, only t... Read more

27 Oct 2019

6mins

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Ranked #5

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"Curtains for Three," by Rex Stout

"Curtains for Three," by Rex Stout

Three puzzling cases to be solved by the sedentary Nero Wolfe and his right-hand, wisecracking assistant, Archie Goodwin... Read more

4 Feb 2020

5mins

Ranked #6

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"Maigret and the Saturday Caller," by Georges Simenon

"Maigret and the Saturday Caller," by Georges Simenon

The man who followed him home was a stranger to Maigret - but his secret could lead to murder.

5 Apr 2020

4mins

Ranked #7

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"A Puzzle for Fools," by Patrick Quentin

"A Puzzle for Fools," by Patrick Quentin

Hearing a warning of murder can be unnerving. Hearing it in your own voice could push you into insanity.

22 Sep 2019

4mins

Ranked #8

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"The Case of the Housekeeper's Hair," by Christopher Bush

"The Case of the Housekeeper's Hair," by Christopher Bush

Investigator Ludovic Travers was uneasy about that promised murder - but could he keep it from coming true?

13 Feb 2020

5mins

Ranked #9

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"Death in Captivity," by Michael Gilbert

"Death in Captivity," by Michael Gilbert

A man is found murdered in a hidden escape tunnel being built under an Italian POW camp during World War II.

23 Mar 2020

6mins

Ranked #10

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"Saturday The Rabbi Went Hungry," by Harry Kemelman

"Saturday The Rabbi Went Hungry," by Harry Kemelman

On Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, Rabbi David Small finds the hidden key to trapping a killer. 

15 Dec 2019

5mins

Ranked #11

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"The Art School Murders," by Moray Dalton

"The Art School Murders," by Moray Dalton

At first, it looked like red paint on the floor of the artists' studio - until the first body was discovered.

17 Feb 2020

4mins

Ranked #12

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"A Six-Letter Word for Death," by Patricia Moyes

"A Six-Letter Word for Death," by Patricia Moyes

Written well after the end of the British Golden Age of Detection, "A Six-Letter Word for Death" manages to combine a pu... Read more

9 Dec 2019

4mins

Ranked #13

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"N or M?" by Agatha Christie

"N or M?" by Agatha Christie

In this Agatha Christie thriller, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford must identify two Nazi spies known only as "N" and "M" wh... Read more

1 Sep 2019

5mins

Ranked #14

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"The Death of Mr. Lomas," by Francis Vivian

"The Death of Mr. Lomas," by Francis Vivian

Mr. Lomas told the police that he was being poisoned. The Chief Constable thought it was nonsense - until Mr. Lomas's bo... Read more

19 Jan 2020

5mins

Ranked #15

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"Bodies From the Library 2," ed. by Tony Medawar

"Bodies From the Library 2," ed. by Tony Medawar

Another collection of little-known mystery stories by such icons of Golden Age mystery fiction as Agatha Christie, Dorot... Read more

30 Dec 2019

5mins

Ranked #16

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"Death in Dark Glasses," by George Bellairs

"Death in Dark Glasses," by George Bellairs

It began with a minor embezzlement - but it ended with disappearances and multiple murders.

8 Sep 2019

5mins

Ranked #17

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"Fell Murder," by E.C.R. Lorac

"Fell Murder," by E.C.R. Lorac

"This crime is conditioned by the place. To understand the one you've got to study the other."

6 Jan 2020

5mins

Ranked #18

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"The Phantom of the Opera," by Gaston Leroux

"The Phantom of the Opera," by Gaston Leroux

Who is the mysterious "Angel of Music" living underneath the Paris Opera House? And why is he obsessively fascinated wit... Read more

12 Jan 2020

7mins

Ranked #19

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"The Measure of Malice," ed. by Martin Edwards

"The Measure of Malice," ed. by Martin Edwards

Meet the masters of the scientific skills essential for investigating crime. Fourteen short stories, selected and introd... Read more

26 Jan 2020

7mins

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