There are 12 S. S. Van Dine (Willard Huntington Wright) murder cases, featuring Philo Vance. Owing much to Conan Doyle, they are addictive as the brilliant detective goes about solving mysteries among the Manhattan rich. The first six are the best, and then they slough off--that's if you can locate any.

John O'Hara's short stories, like William Somerset Maugham's are currently underrated. In sum, they may be more important than his novels, which get less and less interesting as they come along later and get longer. Make sure to read Imagine Kissing Pete.