London-based crime fiction lovers are in for a treat. Starting Friday 18 January, a free exhibition entitled Murder in the Library: An A to Z of Crime Fiction will be held in The Folio Society Gallery, which is hosted inside the library. The event will cover everything from locked room mysteries to gritty, street-level thrillers.

Like previous exhibitions at the British Library, which is located near St Pancras Station in London, you’ll meander through chronological displays that explain the development of the genre. Explore its early origins, discover Conan Doyle’s archetypal sleuth Sherlock Holmes, find out about the first appearance of Miss Marple as well as the villain Dr Fu Manchu, and conclude with a contemporary chill – Scandinavian crime fiction.

According to the British Library’s release, one third of all fiction currently published falls into the crime genre. Sponsoring the event, The Folio Society is dedicated to creating deluxe printings of classic books. The Society is responsible for illustrated printings of the Miss Marple Short Stories by Agatha Christie, Cover Her Face by PD James, and The Postman always Rings Twice by James M Cain.

The event runs until 12 May 2013.