The Great American Detective ed. William Kittredge

The Shadow, waging his personal war against the forces of evil... Nick Carter, with his clean-cut nobility... Sam Spade, deeply etched with hard-as-nails cynicism... Philip Marlowe, living by his strict moral code in a corrupt world... Nero Wolfe, whose sophistication borders on decadence... Archer, his work at odds with his own compassion... Perry Mason, turning the courtroom into a dramatic arena... Mack Bolan, "The Executioner, taking the law into his own hands....

These are just some of the famous American detectives you will meet in fifteen unforgettable tales that reflect the changing character of our national consciousness as they show what makes detective fiction hold us spellbound to the last burst of action, the final twist of suspense, the ultimate revelation of innocence and guilt.