The term FIRST NAME IN DETECTIVE FICTION can be solved by three crossword solutions: ERLE (4 letters), ARSENE (6 letters), and ELLERY (6 letters). Erle is the first name of Erle Stanley Gardner, an American lawyer and author who wrote the Perry Mason detective fiction series. Arsene is the first name of Arsene Lupin, a fictional gentleman thief and master of disguise created by French writer Maurice Leblanc. Ellery is the first name of Ellery Queen, a fictional detective created by two American cousins, Frederic Dannay and Manfred B. Lee.