Blue Dahlia to Blue Velvet. More than 1,400 entries provide biographies of writers and memorable characters, ranging from Ebenezer Gryce, introduced in 1878 as one of the first recurring genre detectives, to Sam Spade and Jessica Fletcher. There are essays by experts on various aspects of the genre, an appendix listing directories of organizations and major award winners, and a glossary of terms particular to the mystery story, such as whodunit and armchair detective. The late William L. DeAndrea won his third Edgar Award for "Encyclopedia Mysteriosa." He authored 17 mystery, spy, and suspense novels, and was a regular columnist for The Armchair Detective, the premier journal devoted to the mystery.

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