Top 10 Best Mystery Books
1
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a gripping mystery novel by Agatha Christie, set in the peaceful English village of King’s Abbot. The story is narrated by Dr. James Sheppard, the local physician, who becomes embroiled in a perplexing murder investigation.
The plot begins with the death of Mrs. Ferrars, a wealthy widow who was rumored to have poisoned her late husband. Shortly after her death, Roger Ackroyd, a wealthy industrialist and a close friend of Dr. Sheppard, is found murdered in his study. His death occurs on the very night he receives a letter revealing a crucial secret related to Mrs. Ferrars’ death.
Hercule Poirot, the famous Belgian detective who has retired to the village, is asked by Ackroyd’s niece, Flora, to investigate the case. As Poirot digs deeper, he uncovers a web of secrets, deceit, and hidden motives among the villagers. Each character, from Ackroyd’s household staff to his relatives, has something to hide, making the mystery more complex.
Poirot’s investigation is filled with unexpected twists and turns, and the story builds toward a surprising and satisfying conclusion. Christie’s masterful storytelling keeps the reader guessing until the very end, making “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” one of her most celebrated works.
2
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is a dark and thrilling psychological mystery that explores the complexities of marriage, love, and deception. The story revolves around Nick and Amy Dunne, a married couple living in North Carthage, Missouri.
On the morning of their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy suddenly disappears under suspicious circumstances. Nick returns home to find signs of a struggle, and Amy is nowhere to be found. As the investigation unfolds, the police and media quickly focus on Nick, who appears increasingly suspicious due to his odd behavior and secrets he’s been keeping from everyone, including Amy.
The novel is told through alternating perspectives: Nick’s present-day narration and Amy’s past diary entries. As the story progresses, these dual narratives reveal the deep cracks in their marriage, the secrets they’ve both been hiding, and the psychological games they’ve played with each other.
The tension builds as the investigation leads to shocking revelations, with the story taking several unexpected turns. Flynn’s sharp writing keeps readers on edge, questioning what is real and what is manipulation.
Gone Girl is a brilliantly crafted tale of love gone wrong, filled with twists that challenge the reader’s perceptions and leave them wondering what will happen next.
3
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is one of the most famous adventures of the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes, set against the eerie and atmospheric backdrop of the English moors.
The story begins when Dr. James Mortimer seeks Holmes’ help regarding the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville, the lord of Baskerville Hall. Sir Charles is believed to have died of a heart attack, but his death is surrounded by strange circumstances, including the presence of giant paw prints near his body, leading to fears of a supernatural beast—a legendary hound that is said to haunt the Baskerville family.
Holmes and his loyal companion Dr. John Watson take on the case. While Holmes remains in London, Watson travels to Baskerville Hall on the misty moors to protect the new heir, Sir Henry Baskerville, and to investigate the strange occurrences surrounding the family.
As Watson delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers unsettling clues and encounters strange characters who seem to be hiding something. The moor, with its treacherous terrain and thick fog, adds to the tension, making the legend of the hound seem all the more real.
The novel builds to a thrilling climax as Holmes and Watson unravel the truth behind the curse of the Baskervilles. Doyle’s masterful storytelling combines elements of horror, mystery, and detective fiction, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
4
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson is a gripping mystery and thriller that weaves together complex characters, dark secrets, and a decades-old disappearance.
The story is set in Sweden and follows two central characters: Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist and publisher of the magazine Millennium, and Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant but troubled hacker with a mysterious past.
Blomkvist is hired by Henrik Vanger, a wealthy industrialist, to investigate the disappearance of his niece, Harriet Vanger, who vanished from the family’s secluded island 40 years ago. Despite the cold case, Henrik believes that Harriet was murdered by a member of the powerful and dysfunctional Vanger family.
As Blomkvist digs into the case, he uncovers a web of corruption, family secrets, and sinister connections. He eventually teams up with Lisbeth Salander, who brings her extraordinary hacking skills and unique perspective to the investigation.
Together, they navigate a maze of clues, facing danger at every turn as they get closer to the truth about Harriet’s fate. Along the way, both characters confront their own personal demons, adding depth to the suspenseful narrative.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a masterful blend of mystery, crime, and character study, with a story that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. Larsson’s writing is both intense and immersive, creating a tale that explores themes of power, revenge, and justice.
5
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie is a masterfully crafted mystery novel that tells the story of ten strangers invited to a secluded island under various pretexts. Each of the guests has a dark secret, and soon after they arrive, they find themselves cut off from the mainland.
The guests discover a mysterious poem in each of their rooms, titled “Ten Little Soldiers,” which describes the deaths of ten individuals in a variety of ways. The poem eerily mirrors the fate that begins to befall each of them.
One by one, the guests start to die in a manner that corresponds to the verses of the poem, and it becomes clear that the killer is among them. Panic, mistrust, and fear take hold as they realize that no one is safe, and the remaining survivors must figure out who the murderer is before they all perish.
As the tension builds, the novel explores themes of justice, guilt, and retribution. Christie’s intricate plotting and suspenseful writing keep readers guessing until the final, shocking revelation.
And Then There Were None is widely regarded as one of Christie’s finest works and one of the best-selling mysteries of all time, delivering a story that is as chilling as it is captivating.
6
In the Woods by Tana French is a compelling psychological mystery that combines a haunting cold case with a present-day murder investigation.
The story is set in a small Irish town and follows Detective Rob Ryan, who, as a child, was involved in a mysterious incident in the local woods. He and two of his friends went missing one day, and only Rob was found, traumatized and unable to remember what happened to the others.
Now an adult, Rob has changed his name and become a detective in Dublin. He is drawn back to his past when he and his partner, Detective Cassie Maddox, are assigned to investigate the murder of a young girl named Katy Devlin, whose body is discovered near the same woods where Rob’s childhood tragedy occurred.
As Rob and Cassie delve into the case, they uncover layers of secrets in the small community, as well as unsettling connections between Katy’s murder and Rob’s forgotten past. Rob struggles to keep his traumatic memories at bay while trying to solve the case, but the investigation soon becomes deeply personal, leading to unexpected and disturbing revelations.
The novel explores themes of memory, identity, and the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly idyllic lives. French’s writing is atmospheric and richly detailed, drawing readers into a story that is as much about the characters’ inner struggles as it is about solving the crime.
In the Woods is the first book in Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad series, and it sets the stage for more complex, character-driven mysteries to come. The novel’s blend of psychological depth and suspense makes it a standout in the genre.
7
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler is a classic hard-boiled detective novel that introduces readers to the iconic private investigator Philip Marlowe. Set in 1930s Los Angeles, the novel is a gritty and atmospheric tale of crime, corruption, and deception.
The story begins when Marlowe is hired by the wealthy and ailing General Sternwood to investigate a case of blackmail involving his wild younger daughter, Carmen Sternwood. As Marlowe begins to dig into the case, he quickly realizes that the situation is far more complicated than it first appeared. The Sternwood family is entangled in a web of gambling debts, shady business deals, and sinister characters.
Marlowe’s investigation leads him through a maze of Los Angeles’ seedy underworld, where he encounters a host of dubious characters, including gangsters, pornographers, and gamblers. Along the way, Marlowe must navigate treacherous waters, as everyone he meets seems to have something to hide.
As the body count rises and the mysteries deepen, Marlowe uncovers shocking secrets about the Sternwood family and the true nature of the blackmail. Chandler’s sharp dialogue, vivid descriptions, and complex plotting make “The Big Sleep” a landmark in the detective genre.
The Big Sleep is celebrated for its tough, cynical protagonist and its portrayal of a morally ambiguous world where the lines between good and evil are blurred. The novel’s blend of suspense, dark humor, and intricate storytelling has made it a classic of American crime fiction.
8
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides is a psychological thriller that explores the depths of trauma, obsession, and the human mind. The story revolves around Alicia Berenson, a successful painter who suddenly and inexplicably shoots her husband, Gabriel, five times in the face one evening. After the murder, Alicia falls completely silent, refusing to speak a word, which only adds to the mystery surrounding the crime.
Alicia is institutionalized in a psychiatric facility called The Grove, where she remains uncommunicative and withdrawn. Her silence turns her into a media sensation, and her enigmatic behavior fuels public curiosity and speculation.
Enter Theo Faber, a forensic psychologist who becomes fascinated by Alicia’s case. He is determined to uncover the truth behind her silence and what really happened on the night of the murder. Theo secures a position at The Grove and begins working closely with Alicia, hoping to break through her silence and unravel the mystery.
As Theo delves deeper into Alicia’s past and her relationships, he uncovers disturbing secrets and connections that lead him down a dark and twisted path. The novel skillfully alternates between Theo’s investigation and Alicia’s diary entries, which provide glimpses into her life before the crime.
The Silent Patient is a gripping and intricately plotted thriller that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The novel’s shocking twists and psychological depth make it a standout in the genre, with a conclusion that will leave readers stunned.
9
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett is a classic hard-boiled detective novel that follows private investigator Sam Spade as he navigates a treacherous world of deception, greed, and murder.
The story begins in San Francisco when a mysterious woman named Miss Wonderly hires Spade and his partner, Miles Archer, to follow a man named Floyd Thursby. That same night, both Archer and Thursby are found dead, throwing Spade into a complex and dangerous investigation.
As Spade delves deeper into the case, he discovers that Miss Wonderly is actually Brigid O’Shaughnessy, a cunning and manipulative femme fatale who is searching for a valuable artifact known as the Maltese Falcon. This priceless statue, rumored to be encrusted with jewels, is coveted by various shady characters, including the sinister Joel Cairo and the menacing Kasper Gutman, also known as “The Fat Man.”
Spade becomes embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse as he tries to uncover the truth behind the Falcon and navigate the conflicting interests of those who seek it. Along the way, he must deal with betrayals, double-crosses, and his own complicated feelings toward Brigid.
As the plot twists and turns, Spade’s sharp wit, moral ambiguity, and relentless pursuit of the truth drive the story toward a tense and unforgettable conclusion. Hammett’s crisp dialogue, gritty atmosphere, and complex characters have made “The Maltese Falcon” a cornerstone of the detective genre and a lasting influence on noir fiction.
10
“Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier is a haunting and atmospheric novel that blends romance, mystery, and psychological suspense. The story is narrated by an unnamed young woman who, at the beginning of the novel, is working as a companion to a wealthy American woman.
While in Monte Carlo, she meets and quickly falls in love with Maxim de Winter, a wealthy widower whose first wife, Rebecca, died under mysterious circumstances. The young woman is swept off her feet by Maxim, and they soon marry and return to his grand estate, Manderley.
At Manderley, the new Mrs. de Winter (as she is referred to throughout the novel) finds herself living in the shadow of Rebecca, whose presence seems to linger in every corner of the house. The staff, particularly the sinister housekeeper Mrs. Danvers, remains devoted to Rebecca’s memory, and the new Mrs. de Winter struggles to fit into her new life.
As the young bride attempts to navigate her role as mistress of Manderley, she becomes increasingly obsessed with Rebecca and begins to unravel the secrets surrounding her death. Mrs. Danvers’ manipulations and the omnipresent influence of Rebecca create an atmosphere of tension and dread.
