Public domain means an item belongs, in its entirety, to the public. These items no longer fall under traditional copyright laws because their creators are no longer living. In the U.S., a piece of writing falls under copyright from the moment it is written till 70 years after the author's death. The public domain items below can be read for free at any time, but make sure you still use proper citations in your course projects when referring to the texts.
Edgar Allan Poe:
Murders in the Rue Morgue - http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2147/2147-h/2147-h.htm
The Purloined Letter - https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2148/2148-h/2148-h.htm
Arthur Conan Doyle:
The Red-Headed League, The Bascombe Valley Mystery, AND The Adventures of the Copper Beeches- https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1661/1661-h/1661-h.htm
G.K. Chesterton:
The Blue Cross, The Secret Garden AND
The Flying Stars - https://www.gutenberg.org/files/204/204-h/204-h.htm
Dorothy L. Sayers:
Murder Must Advertise - http://gutenberg.ca/ebooks/sayers-advertise/sayers-advertise-00-h.html
Raymond Chandler
The Big Sleep - http://www.gutenberg.ca/ebooks/chandlerr-bigsleep/chandlerr-bigsleep-00-h.html
For those of you who prefer to have a printed copy of the required readings, this list will link you to an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) request for each text. Remember, when you borrow a book through ILL the lending library sets the due dates. You will need to return the book by the date provided on the cover slip.
Edgar Allan Poe:
Murders in the Rue Morgue AND The Purloined Letter - Click here.
Arthur Conan Doyle:
A Scandal in Bohemia, Five Orange Pips AND The Adventure of the Speckled Band - Click here.
G.K. Chesterton:
The Blue Cross, The Secret Garden AND The Flying Stars - Click here.
Dorothy L. Sayers:
Murder Must Advertise - Click here.
Agatha Christie:
Murder on the Orient Express - Click here.
Dashiell Hammett:
The Maltese Falcon - Click here.
Raymond Chandler
The Big Sleep - Click here.
Ruth Rendell:
From Doon With Death - Click here.
Elizabeth George:
A Great Deliverance - Click here.
Elizabeth Peters:
Crocodile on the Sandbank - Click here.
Walter Mosey
Devil in a Blue Dress - Click here
Joe Ide
IQ - Click here
Katherine V. Forrest:
Murder by Tradition - Click here.