What are the 100 Best Mysteries in the world?  A true fan wants to know. There are many definitions, but one of them is the list by the Members of the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.   Granted it was released in 2000 and is the Bookseller’s 100 Favorite Mysteries of the “Twentieth Century” (how last century), but it’s a starting point. So, over the years, I have collected (almost) all of the books on this list, and I have read (somewhat less than) all.   This blog, then, is to record my thoughts on each of these, as well as other works by the same authors, as well as other books (and short stories) that have made a “best of mysteries” list in some way, along with random musings.   Members of the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association’s online discussion group spent nearly two months considering and debating hundreds of titles recommended by mystery booksellers throughout the country. “Fortunately, since we were working online, no blood was spilled in the creation of this list,” commented IMBA director Jim Huang. “It was a lively and contentious process, with each of us pulling for cherished books.” Although some of the genre’s greatest and most prolific writers had several titles nominated, “we agreed that each author would appear on the list only once,” Huang explained, “in order to represent as many of our favorite writers as possible.”   As I write blog entries for each of these, there will be a live link...