This is a comprehensive survey of mystery and detective fiction that covers more than 390 writers and includes overviews on more than three dozen aspects of the genre.Continuing the Salem Press tradition of "Critical Survey" series, "Critical Survey of Mystery and Detective Fiction, Revised Edition" provides detailed analyses of the lives and writings of major contributors to the fascinating literary subgenre of mystery and detective fiction.

Kipper the dog is bewildered by the hole chewed in his cardboard toy box. His attempts to count his toys frustrate him because instead of the usual six, he comes up with seven or eight. Then Sock Thing disappears. During the night the mystery is solved when Kipper discovers two mice in the missing sock creature. Instead of nibbling his box for their nest, they join Kipper in his basket.

1934, America. The Dustbowl. A fugitive named Ben Hawkins finds refuge within a traveling carnival comprised of a tarot card reader and her catatonic/telekinetic mother, a blind mentalist, a bearded lady, and conjoined twins, amongst others. The carnival is owned by the mysterious and unseen Management, who has designs on the young Hawkins, for the boy is concealing an untapped gift: he can heal the lame and raise the dead--at a price.
(imdb rating 9.1/10) Parental guidance: Age 18+

Young Peter Black has a bad reputation in town for telling wild stories. Father Allen has given him work as a sexton, but this may be his very last chance at a job. So, what is Peter to do when he happens upon a cat coronation in the church in the dead of night? How can he convince Father Allen that this isn’t just one more wild story? And why is Father Allen’s cat staring at him like that?
Explore the mystery in this much expanded and highly imaginative retelling of an old English favorite.

David Brown, "God and Mystery in Words: Experience through Metaphor and Drama"