The Best American Mystery Stories Of The Nineteenth Century

An unparalleled treasury of crime, mystery, and murder from the genre’s founding century

With stories by Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, L. Frank Baum, Edith Wharton, Stephen Crane, and Jack London, The Best American Mystery Stories of the Nineteenth Century is an essential anthology of American letters. It’s a unique blend of beloved writers who contributed to the genre and forgotten names that pioneered the form, such as Anna Katharine Green, the godmother of mystery fiction, and the African-American writer Charles W. Chesnutt. Of course, Penzler includes “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” recognized as the first detective story, and with thirty-three stories spanning the years 1824–1899, nowhere else can readers find such a surprising, comprehensive take on the evolution of the American mystery story.

This one-of-a-kind anthology includes:

Early Detective Fiction: Discover the origins of the genre with Edgar Allan Poe’s groundbreaking tale, “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” and stories from the godmother of mystery, Anna Katharine Green. Gothic Horror and Suspense: Experience the darker side of 19th-century fiction with chilling crime stories from literary masters like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Washington Irving. Classic American Authors: A surprising collection of mystery and detective work from icons of American letters, including Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, and Edith Wharton. Pioneering Voices: Read foundational works that shaped the genre, including a rare contribution from the influential African-American writer Charles W. Chesnutt.