A Note About What Makes a Mystery

Deciding whether to class a book in Mystery versus general Fiction is a subjective decision. Books that feature an act of murder and a sleuthing detective are sure to find their way to a Mystery designation. However, titles that focus on kidnappings, courtroom drama, or are more "thrillers" than "mysteries" could likely be shelved in Fiction. If you are looking for a particular title that could be found in either spot, consult our online catalog or a staff member!

How Mystery is Organzized

Unlike its Non-Fiction books, the Athenaeum does not use the Dewey Decimal System to organize Mystery titles. Mystery, like general Fiction, is organized by the author's last name. On each Mystery title you will find a Call Number (the book's identification number) with two parts:

• The letters MYS (for Mystery)
• The first three letters of the author's last name. For example, TAY for Phoebe Atwood Taylor.

For multiple books by the same author, titles are listed in alphabetical order. Articles ("The," "An," "And") are not included as part of the title in alphabetizing. For example, on the shelf with Alexander McCall Smith books (Call Number: M MCC), "The Good Husband of Zebra Drive" will be shelved before "Miracle at Speedy Motors".

Finding Mystery on the Shelf

Mystery books are all located in the main room. Above each alcove are plaques with letters that roughly correspond to the last names of authors found in that area.

All mystery books are found on the left side of the room (if you have your back to the Circulation Desk). The Mystery section begins just after the History section concludes, with the beginning of the alphabet closer to the Circulation Desk, and the end of the alphabet in the last alcove before the front doors.

Mystery books containing short stories by multiple authors are located on a rolling cart shelved in the last alcove of Mystery books. They can be identified by the call number MS.