“The Murders in the Rue Morgue” by Edgar Allan Poe is considered to be one of the first detective stories ever written, and its impact on the mystery genre cannot be overstated. The story was first published in 1841 and introduced readers to the brilliant detective C. Auguste Dupin, who uses his remarkable powers of deduction to solve a baffling and gruesome murder.

Poe’s story introduced many of the elements that would become staples of the mystery genre. For example, Dupin is the first detective in literature to use logical reasoning and deductive thinking to solve a crime. He relies on his intellect rather than brute force to solve the case, a theme that would be repeated in many subsequent mystery stories.

Another important aspect of the story is the use of clues and evidence to solve the crime. Dupin is able to piece together the clues left behind at the scene of the crime to reconstruct what happened and identify the culprit. This technique, which came to be known as “clue-puzzle” or “whodunit,” became a defining feature of the mystery genre.

The story also introduced the idea of the “locked room” mystery, in which the crime takes place in a sealed room or other space, with no apparent means of entry or exit. This type of mystery has become a popular subgenre of detective fiction, with many subsequent authors creating their own variations on the theme.

“The Murders in the Rue Morgue” had a profound impact on the mystery genre and helped to establish many of the conventions that are still in use today. Poe’s innovation and creativity laid the foundation for generations of mystery writers to come. You can get a copy from Amazon here.