Ranpo Edogawa is the pen name (a pun on the Japanese pronunciation of Edgar Allan Poe) of Taro Hirai (1894-1965). He is best remembered for the Kogoro Akechi and Boy Detectives Club novels, published between 1925 and 1962. His lifelong efforts as a writer and promoter of the mystery novel in Japan were well-rewarded. The mystery genre today is a staple of Japanese television and the best-seller lists. In Gosho Aoyama's long-running <i>Case Closed</i> series, the boy detective sports the <i>nom de plume</i> of "Conan Edogawa." Two homages in one!