English readers don’t need independence from Scottish writers

With a few star exceptions, London publishers are wary of writing from Scotland. But good storytelling transcends nationality

Patricia Highsmith’s criminal neglect

Diane Shipley: Film adaptations mean she's not unknown, but her tense and unsettling thrillers deserve a much wider readership

No one else should play Inspector Morse, says his creator Colin Dexter

First there was John Thaw, then there was young Shaun Evans. Now there must never be anyone else to take on the role of the detective, stipulates a clause in the writer's will

The 100 best novels: No 26 – The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle (1890)

Sherlock Holmes's second outing sees Conan Doyle's brilliant sleuth – and his bluff sidekick Watson – come into their own, writes Robert McCrum

Lynda La Plante writing Prime Suspect prequel

Writer to adapt her new novel, called Tennison, for TV in 2016, the 25th anniversary of the hit ITV drama starring Helen Mirren. By John Plunkett

Ripper by Isabel Allende – review

Isabel Allende's San Francisco serial-killer story displays her customary gift for strong characterisation and fine narrative detail, writes Sophia Martelli

Raymond Chandler – quiz

Seventy-five years after Philip Marlowe stepped out for the first time in The Big Sleep, Raymond Chandler's hardboiled private detective is as sharp as ever. But have you solved the mystery of his enduring appeal? Test your knowledge of his life and work with our quiz

Raymond Chandler’s arresting new formula for crime fiction

In The Big Sleep, published 75 years ago this week, the reading public met a very different kind of detective for the first time

Henning Mankell: chronicler of his own decline

Profile: After years of exploring Sweden's darkest fears in his fiction, the creator of Wallander faces his own anxiety after being diagnosed with cancer. He will now chart his illness in a newspaper column

MJ Carter on historical fiction: ‘It was brilliant to make stuff up!’

Historian Miranda Carter on what inspired her to turn to historical crime fiction – and how to be the best-read member of your reading group… Interview by Stephanie Merritt

The top 10 crime novels in translation

Novelist Ann Cleeves looks beyond Scandinavia for forensic insights into Maigret's Paris, Montalbano's Sicily and beyond

Beyond Sherlock: are there any good detective novels for teens?

Teens drawn to whodunnits by Benedict Cumberbatch's TV portrayal of Sherlock Holmes have a wealth of modern day detective novels to move onto

2014 in books: turn over a new leaf

The return of Sherlock on TV, Wolf Hall at the RSC and Lord of the Flies: the ballet – plus new books from Dave Eggers, Sarah Waters, Stephen King and many more