There are few contemporary guides that cover everything from the golden age to current bestselling writers from America, Britain and all across the world, but Barry Forshaw has provided a truly comprehensive survey. Every major writer is included, along with many other. Focusing on a key book (or books) by each writer, and with essays on key crime genres this is designed to be both a crime fan's shopping list and a pithy, opinionated but unstuffy reference tool and history