It was in the spring of 1841 that Edgar Allen Poe published "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," often credited as the first detective story. Today, mysteries and detective stories are among the most popular books in the Nashua Public Library collection.

To make it easier for readers to find their favorite mysteries, we have a separate section just for these books. As you enter the library, look to the left. Just past the teen room, you'll see a set of bookshelves with the hardcover mysteries for adults. Right nearby are the paperback mysteries.

In this section you'll find favorite writers such as Agatha Christie, Alexander McCall Smith (under "M", not "S"), Martha Grimes, Anne Perry, and Janet Evanovich. The stories range from "cozy" mysteries like Nancy Atherton's "Aunt Dimity" series (Aunt Dimity and the Duke is a treasure), to hardboiled private eye crime stories like Sue Grafton's alphabet series (starting with A is for Alibi).

My personal favorite is Dorothy L. Sayers, whose literate and sensitive mysteries such as Gaudy Night have become classics of the genre. Other NPL staffers prefer writers such as Ruth Rendell and Elizabeth Peters (you'll find more of her books under the pseudonym "Barbara Michaels"). Of course, you'll find many different favorites depending on whom you ask.

One thing's for sure, some mystery authors are so popular that we have special "Hot Copies" of their books. (Read all about Hot Copies here if you're unfamiliar with them.) Looking for a good read? Here are some of the hot new mysteries in our collection:

• Robert Parker's High Profile comes on the heels of last year's popular Hundred Dollar Baby.
• Elizabeth George, What Came Before He Shot Her
• Martha Grimes, Dust: A Richard Jury Novel
• Janet Evanovich, Plum Lovin'

Did we miss one of your favorites? Leave us a note!