A mystery-lover's companion: Joseph Goodrich shares his delight in the literary exploits of more than a dozen men and women who changed the shape of crime fiction and drama. Includes profiles of Dashiell Hammett, Rex Stout, Ellery Queen, Lucille Fletcher, William Link, Anthony Shaffer, Nicholas Meyer, David Goodis and others, including unjustly "forgotten" author Derek Marlowe. Among the treasures are personal reminiscences, along with the first book publication of caustic lecture notes from one-half of the "Ellery Queen" partnership. With photos. By Edgar-winning playwright Joseph Goodrich.