“The Murders in the Rue Morgue” is the Edgar Allan Poe that is often considered to be the first detective story and continues to fascinate readers. -The language of two hundred years ago has been updated making the story easily understood by today’s readers.-End notes, interpretation, and discussion of major themes follow the text.-Every effort has been made to keep the story as close to the original as possible--only word order and difficult vocabulary have been changed. -Biographical information on Edgar Allan Poe is included.-Modern readers will better understand and appreciate the story that set out the principles of detective fiction. For more short stories in easy to understand modern English search for “George Lakon” and www.EasyStories.net.