The Murders in the Rue Morgue

Book 1 of 1 in C. Auguste Dupin #1

2014

by Edgar Allan Poe

The Murders in the Rue Morgue is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe published in Graham's Magazine in 1841. It is recognized as the first modern detective story; Poe referred to it as one of his tales of ratiocination.

The story revolves around C. Auguste Dupin, a man in Paris who solves the mystery of the brutal murder of two women. Numerous witnesses heard a suspect, though no one agrees on what language was spoken. At the murder scene, Dupin finds a hair that does not appear to be human.

As the first true detective in fiction, the Dupin character established many literary devices which would be used in future fictional detectives including Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. Many later characters, for example, follow Poe's model of the brilliant detective, his personal friend who serves as narrator, and the final revelation being presented before the reasoning that leads up to it. Dupin himself reappears in The Mystery of Marie Roget and The Purloined Letter.

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No tales to tell here. A perfect spot for new legends! 🐉.

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