The first rule of Detection Club: play fair
Rather, the zeroth rule because rule one
Is introduce the criminal early on
And keep their thoughts off-air

The next three rules restrain the gothic trend
No ghosts, no made-up drugs, no high-tech tools
No more than one mysterious hidden room
To get you to “the end”

The fifth rule reads as racist in our day,
Though written to confront it at the time.
Let’s say: Do not use “foreign” to mean “crime”
Or “danger” in that way.

Rule six rules out the lucky guess to win
Rules seven, eight and nine forbid the ruse
Of ever purposefully withholding clues.
And ten: no secret twins.

So if you swear detection tales to tell,
Shall Knox, GK, and Christie wish you well.