5/5 I must buy this eventually. Most of my new mystery reads are ones I've gotten to on my "to-read" list after I put them on there after perusing this book for a few hours back when I worked in my college library. This is a great reference book of vintage/GAD mysteries. They are entered by author, by subject (advertising to blackmail to Romans a Clef), by mystery authors who have written for the screen--they even have a film and book cross-index! They have mystery plays, they have the mysteries organized by geographical setting; arranged by heroes or villains; or organized by year-by-year recipients of various awards. It hasn't even left out a section on writings ON mysteries! Toward the end is a section dealing with such bits and pieces of miscellany as critics, best-sellers, title changes, pseudonyms, organizations, pulp magazines, etc. etc. etc.! I can't help it I'm geeking out so bad. This book was published in 1969 which is PERFECT for me. I don't like most mysteries published after the 60s anyway! I don't know what it is I'm just a goof and I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! my new favorite reference book.