Mystery books, particularly murder mysteries, have been popular since the late 19th century. Over the years, various writers have achieved fame and success, but in time their books become unknown except to the most avid mystery readers. But others stand the test of time. Of these, there are 3 classic ladies of mystery writing--Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, and Ngaio Marsh.

What can I say about Agatha Christie? Her name is familiar even to people who aren't mystery buffs. Her books have been made into many movies and still continue to be made into television series today. She has introduced us to two of the most famous fiction detectives in the world--Miss Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot.

Miss Marple

Miss Marple lives in the cosy little English village of St. Mary Mead--seemingly a very unlikely place for crime, especially murder. But, as Miss Marple always tells us, beneath the placid exterior, a village conceals all the evils to be found anywhere in the world.

Miss Marple is strictly an amateur detective, but over the years has developed a close relationship with the local police department. But her adventures are not always confined to St. Mary Mead. She has been instrumental in solving murders in Egypt and the Caribbean, And friends and acquaintances in neighboring villages do not hesitate to call on her for help.

Hercule Poirot

Unlike Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot is a professional detective--the world's greatest, as he will modestly tell you. He is a Belgian --don't call hm French!--who came to England as a refugee during World War I. He is a great proponent of using the "little gray cells" to solve crimes--in other words, your brain.

A frequent side-kick of Poirot's is his friend Colonel Hastings. In several of the books, the story is told through Hastings' eyes. This includes the final Poirot book, Final Curtain. Also featured in the Poirot mystery books are his secretary, the impossibly efficient Miss Lemon and his valet, George, the perfect snob.

Agatha Christie began writing in the 1920's and continued through the early 1970's. Her later books were not up to her early standards; she was at her prime in the period from the 1930's through the 1950's. Though the writing style may be slightly dated, her plots and characters remain timeless, She is truly a classic lady of mystery writing.

The late Ngaio Marsh was a native of New Zealand, and several of her books take place there,although most are laid in England. Her main character is Inspector Roderick Alleyn, of New Scotland Yard, assisted by his ever-faithful Sergeant Fox.

Like Lord Peter Wimsey, during the course of an investigation Alleyn falls in love with a young lady, who resists him. In this case, the lady in question is Agatha Troy, an artist. Alleyn eventually wins her over and they are married. Troy, as he calls her, goes on to be a prominent character in the series, and in several of the books, including A Clutch of Constables and Tied Up in Tinsel, is the main character.

As part of New Scotland Yard, the national English police force, Alleyn is called in when it is determined that the crime requires more than the local police, This frequently causes resentment, and Alleyn is continually having to smooth the ruffled feathers of the locals.

Ms. Marsh's books span a wide period, from the 1930's through 1980. Like Agatha Christie, even though some of the early books are slightly dated, the plots and characters still hold the reader's attention. Inspector Alleyn and Troy are both characters that the reader wants to follow through each succeeding book.

Dorothy Sayers is not quite the household word that Agatha Christie is, but she is well known to mystery readers. Her books date to the 1920's and 1930's, but they still remain popular today. Several of them have been made into television series.

Through Ms. Sayers' books, we get a glimpse into the lives of the British upper class. Her hero is Lord Peter Wimsey, the younger brother of a duke and the epitome of suave sophistication. He is another strictly amateur detective--he doesn't need to worry about money, as he is independently wealthy. He also works closely with the police, especially his brother-in-law, Inspector Parker.

Two characters are prominently featured in the Lord Peter Wimsey series. One is his unflappable valet, Bunter, who was also his sergeant during World War I and saved his life. Bunter is not only his valet, but also his multi-talented assistant.

The other recurring character is Harriet Vane. Lord Peter meets her in one of the early mysteries, Strong Poison. Harriet is accused of murdering her lover, and Lord Peter is largely responsible for getting her off. He also falls in love with her and wants to marry her. But Harriet, having been through such a disastrous love affair, has sworn off men. But Lord Peter is not easily discouraged and continues to pursue her through the course of several books. In Gaudy Night he finally wins her, and in the final book Busman's Honeymoon, they are married.

Lord Peter is a fascinating and complex character. Ms. Sayers' plots are intricate and provide a keen insight into English life at all levels of society in the period between the wars. Her books are the kind that can be read over and over.