For almost as long as there have been stories, there have been detectives—hard-boiled, goofy, enigmatic, or otherwise—tracking down clues and solving mysteries. A mainstay of novels since the mid–19th ...

Detective movies have drawn major audiences for years, thanks to their labyrinthine plots, riveting characters, and tough cases. From the dark and stylish charm of the ‘40s and ‘50s film noirs to the ...