1. Beginnings: The London Constabulary -- 2. Wilkie Collins and the mystery novel: The life ; Early works ; The woman in white ; No name and Armadale ; The moonstone ; Last works -- 3. Dickens and detection: The life ; Mystery plots and detectives ; The mystery of Edwin Drood -- 4. Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu: horror and suspense: Wylder's hand ; Uncle Silas -- 5. Some minor voices: Mary Elizabeth Braddon ; James Payn ; Anna Katherine Green -- 6. Arthur Conan Doyle and the great detective.
