Winner of the 2013 Agatha, Anthony and the Macavity Awards for Best Crime Non-Fiction.

With so many mystery novels to choose from and so many new titles appearing each year, where should the reader start? What are the classics of the genre? Which are the hidden gems?

In the most ambitious anthology of its kind yet attempted, the world's leading mystery writers have come together to champion the greatest mystery novels ever written. In a series of personal essays that often reveal as much about themselves and their work work as they do about the books that they love, more than 120 authors from twenty countries have created a guide that will be indispensable for generations of readers and writers. From Christie to Child and Poe to PD James, from Sherlock Holmes to Hannibal Lecter and Philip Marlowe to Peter Wimsey, BOOKS TO DIE FOR brings together the cream of the mystery world for a feast of reading pleasure, a treasure trove for those new to the genre and those who believe that there is nothing new left to discover. This is the one essential book for every reader who has ever finished a mystery novel and thought . . . I want more! www.bookstodiefor.net

Winner of the 2013 Agatha, Anthony and the Macavity Awards for Best Crime Non-Fiction. The world's greatest mystery writers on the world's greatest mystery novels.

About the Author

John Connolly is author of the Charlie Parker mysteries, The Book of Lost Things, the Samuel Johnson novels for young adults and, with his partner, Jennifer Ridyard, the co-author of the Chronicles of the Invaders. John Connolly's debut - EVERY DEAD THING - introduced the character of Private Investigator Charlie Parker, and swiftly launched him right into the front rank of thriller writers. All his subsequent novels have been Sunday Times bestsellers.

In 2007 he was awarded the Irish Post Award for Literature. He was the first non-American writer to win the US Shamus award and the first Irish writer to win an Edgar award. BOOKS TO DIE FOR, which he edited with Declan Burke, was the winner of the 2013 Anthony, Agatha and Macavity awards for Best Non-Fiction work.

Reviews
A fascinating glimpse of the way styles and influences echo through generations, begetting seemingly endless variations on what is simple formula. * Observer *
This volume challenges a few myths and is worth reading for that pleasure alone. * Sunday Times *
Burke and Connolly's hefty compendium is no mere kill list but something subtler; a way of discovering great crime novels from the past through essays by more than 120 modern masters who have picked their favourites. While their selection is more quirky than definitive, they act as excellent guides . . . a strong and surprising selection * FT *
Indispensable * Sunday Telegraph *
A richly rewarding read from beginning to end * Irish Catholic *
This collection of essays on the kings and queens of crime, past and present, is the perfect stocking filler for all crime-lit junkies - wisdom, wit and candour from the likes of Christie, Conan Doyle and Highsmith. * Saga *


Awards
Winner of The Anthony Award 2013 (UK) and The Macavity Award 2013 (UK) and Agatha Award 2013 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9781473612181
Author John Connolly
Format Paperback
Page Count 752
Imprint Hodder & Stoughton
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 942g
Dimensions(mm) 233mm * 157mm * 55mm