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

Barry Forshaw is the author of American Noir, Brit Noir, Euro Noir, Nordic Noir, and The Man Who Left Too Soon. He edits Crime Time and is former Vice Chair of the Crime Writers' Association. Ian Rankin is a bestselling writer whose John Rebus is one of the most enduring characters in crime fiction.