35 Best Mystery Books for Amateur Sleuths to Read Right Now
Updated: Jun. 21, 2024
Calling all amateur detectives! These mystery books will keep you hooked until the last page.
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Satisfying mystery books for would-be sleuths
Nothing piques our curiosity and sets our minds to problem-solving mode quite like a good mystery book. It’s why so many of us grew up playing detective alongside fictional favorites like Hercule Poirot, Sherlock Holmes, Encyclopedia Brown and Nancy Drew. It’s also why Agatha Christie—queen of the best mystery books—is the second bestselling author of all time, bested only by Shakespeare.
You’ll know a whodunit when you read it. Typically, mystery books begin with a crime, offer several suspects and scenarios throughout the story and culminate in a surprise ending. Compare that with true crime books, which (much like the name suggests) are nonfiction books based on real crimes. Thrillers make up another distinct genre and often follow the threat of a future or potential crime from a known villain, with tension turned up to 10. A crime novel, on the other hand, focuses on apprehending a specific criminal.
To come up with our list of the best mystery books, we polled Reader’s Digest book editors (look for the Reader’s Digest Editor’s Pick badge!), librarians, authors and other bookish folks who love to crack fictional cases. We also combed through bestseller lists and five-star reviews to land on the cream of the crop. In this roundup, you’ll find familiar favorites, newer titles and some of the best books ever written. In short, discovering the best mystery books of all time was elementary, dear Watson.
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The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
For fans of: The Maid by Nita Prose and Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch
Richard Osman’s delightfully funny Thursday Murder Club is the epitome of a feel-good novel—with a mystery to boot. Meet the Thursday Murder Club: a group of septuagenarians living in a retirement village and meeting weekly to talk about unsolved murders. When a local developer is found dead, they jump at the chance to solve a real case. What ensues is a twisty and highly entertaining whodunit that’ll appeal to pretty much anyone who enjoys murder mystery books. You’ll race through this charming cozy mystery to solve the case and will laugh at the cheeky British humor along the way.
Little Eve by Catriona Ward
For fans of: The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward and A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
Winner of the 2018 Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel and 2019 British Fantasy Award for Best Horror Novel, Catriona Ward’s Little Eve is a must-read gothic horror book with a mystery woven throughout. “Catriona Ward is a master of creeping horror. Her prose seeps into your bones and makes you crave ‘just one more’ chapter before bed until you’ve scared yourself sleepless,” says librarian Alexandra Plante. “Little Eve is a quintessential example of Ward’s gift of storytelling: remote Scottish island, family trauma, an unsolved murder and a twist you never saw coming.”
Pay Dirt Road by Samantha Jayne Allen
For fans of: The Hunter by Tana French
There’s no mystery like a small-town mystery. Billed as Mare of Easttown meets Friday Night Lights, Samantha Jayne Allen’s debut novel, published in 2022, won the prestigious Tony Hillerman Prize for a first mystery novel set in the southwestern United States. When Pay Dirt Road opens, Annie McIntyre has just graduated and returned to her hometown of Garnett, Texas. She soon finds herself investigating the disappearance of a local waitress alongside her grandfather, Leroy, who’s supposed to be retired from his private investigation firm. As Annie and Leroy work to discover the truth (and Annie gets drawn further into the family business), she must come to terms with her own past and her connection to her hometown. Allen paints a detailed picture of small-town Texan life and invites readers along on a crime-solving adventure full of deepening family relationships and life lessons. Get ready for a major book hangover.
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City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita
For fans of: All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby and A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow
Iris Yamashita may be known as the Academy Award–nominated screenwriter for Letters from Iwo Jima, but she caused a stir with her gripping debut novel, the 2023 mystery City Under One Roof. It’s no wonder it was Reader’s Digest Book Club’s inaugural pick!
“If you’re a fan of locked-room mysteries, you’ll appreciate Yamashita’s take,” says Reader’s Digest Books Editor Tracey Neithercott. “Instead of a locked room, she drops us into an Alaskan town where all of the residents live in a single building. From that original premise follows a twisty mystery told from three original points of view. I didn’t see the end coming!”
Someone Had to Do It by Amber and Danielle Brown
For fans of: The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger and Bunny by Mona Awad
A 2022 mystery novel, Someone Had to Do It will have you turning pages as fast as you can. Brandi Maxwell is living her best life as an intern at the prestigious fashion house Simon Van Doren. It’s perfect—except for the racism, grunt work and terrible murder being plotted by Van Doren heiress Taylor, that is. Taylor will go to any lengths to get her hands on the family fortune, and Brandi is caught in the middle. With biting social commentary and critiques of capitalism and privilege, this juicy, intelligent novel is utterly compelling.
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
For fans of: Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
A Good Morning America Book Club pick for 2022, The Violin Conspiracy follows Ray, a young Black man growing up in North Carolina with the dream of becoming a classical violinist. When he finds out his family’s beat-up old fiddle is actually a priceless Stradivarius, things start to come together. Determined to succeed despite the racism he faces, Ray is poised for success—until his precious violin is stolen the night before a prestigious competition, a ransom note left in its place.
Somehow, Ray must find a way to get his violin back and prove to himself that he is a real musician—with or without the “right” instrument. A beautiful coming-of-age story with a delicious mystery at the center, The Violin Conspiracy will appeal to anyone who loves the underdog tales of classic literature and will have you rooting for Ray until the very last page.
The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill
For fans of: The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ajaysuji and Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Australian author Sulari Gentill thrills readers with this 2022 gem set in the Boston Public Library. When The Woman in the Library kicks off, a high-pitched scream rings out in the quiet, and four strangers find themselves locked in a reading room while security investigates. They pass the time in conversation. But while each of them has something to hide, only one is hiding the fact that they are a murderer. This mystery within a mystery is a tense, twisty journey tailor-made for those who love reading: There are plenty of literary elements to make word nerds and mystery lovers rejoice. You’ll never look at your local library the same way again!
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
For fans of: None of This is True by Lisa Jewell and How to Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie
An instant favorite when it was released in 2018, My Sister, the Serial Killer tells the story of Korede, a Nigerian woman whose sister is prettier and more popular than her … and quite possibly a serial killer. Hilarious and scary as heck at the same time, this novel has redefined murder mysteries for the better. If you’re trying to read more books by Black authors, My Sister, the Serial Killer absolutely deserves a place on your list.
Fallen by Linda Castillo
For fans of: Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr
Fans of Linda Castillo’s New York Times bestselling Kate Burkholder mystery book series will love Fallen, which was published in July 2021. The book begins with a grisly murder in Amish country. When the chief of police, Kate Burkholder, realizes she knew the victim, she sets out to catch the culprit and sets off a chain of events and reckonings no one expects—especially Kate.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
For fans of: The Snowman by Jo Nesbø
Get ready for nonstop twists with Stieg Larsson’s 2005 international bestseller, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Swedish journalist Mikael Blomkvist teams up with Lisbeth Salander—a tattooed, pierced, punk-rock hacker—to solve a crime that’ll leave you guessing until you hit the climax. What unravels is an atmospheric story filled with love, intrigue and family secrets. At 672 pages, this isn’t a short book, but don’t let that dissuade you. The compelling mystery makes this a surprisingly quick read.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
For fans of: My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent and Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
This 2018 international bestseller and Reese’s Book Club pick zeros in on a lone girl living in the marshes of North Carolina. When a handsome, popular local is found murdered in 1969, all eyes turn to the mysterious “Marsh Girl.” What unfolds is a story of love and loss, survival and the healing power of the natural world. And yet all that revolves around a suspenseful whodunit.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a reader who wasn’t enthralled by this gem of a story—Reader’s Digest Deputy Editor Anne Fritz sure was. “This novel opens with a heartbreaking scene: 6-year-old Kya watches her mother leave, abandoning her to her older siblings and alcoholic father,” she says. “If that’s not enough to pull you in, the lush and lyrical descriptions of a child’s life in the North Carolina marsh surely will.”
What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jiménez
For fans of: Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
Winner of the 2024 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction and a Reader’s Digest Book Club pick, What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez introduces readers to a Puerto Rican family in Staten Island who believe that they’ve found their missing sister on a reality TV show. With its mystery plot, humorous voice and literary-minded social commentary, it’s a good pick for anyone who appreciates the blending of book genres.
“This may be a mystery, but what really drew me to Claire Jiménez’s smart novel is how incredibly funny it is,” says Neithercott. “The narrative voice caught my attention on the very first page, and I didn’t stop laughing until the end. That’s saying something, considering the book’s serious topic and themes! The humor brought these characters to life and somehow made the experience of losing a sister and daughter all the more heartbreaking.”
Runner by Tracy Clark
For fans of: All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
Released in June 2021, the fourth book of Tracy Clark’s Chicago Mystery series is a fast-paced read that’ll take you from intrigued to engrossed in no time flat. Cass Raines returns as the cop turned PI who will stop at nothing to get justice. Runner centers on the search for a missing teen, set against the wintry backdrop of Clark’s native Chicago. It’s a breathtaking read as part of a series that doesn’t pull punches when it comes to race relations in America, but it’s perfect as a stand-alone novel too. If you’re tired of reading mystery books from the perspective of old white guys, Cass, a Black woman, is a welcome departure.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
For fans of: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” So begins Rebecca, one of the best mystery books of all time. Part ghost story, part suspense thriller, this 1938 book has enduring appeal. Daphne du Maurier spills the story of a young woman whose recent marriage to an older man is tarnished by the living memory of his first wife. The secrets of the past unravel with breath-stealing suspense. You’ll want to follow this one up with Alfred Hitchcock’s Academy Award–winning film and Netflix’s 2020 adaptation. Need more convincing? You’ll find used paperback versions of the book for less than your daily coffee, making this one of the cheapest books on this list.
Wherever She Goes by Kelley Armstrong
For fans of: The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
Hailed as a novel you can’t walk away from, Wherever She Goes earned a starred review in Publishers Weekly when it was released in 2019. Fans of Kelley Armstrong’s other New York Times bestselling mystery books will be compelled by both the gripping tale of a missing child and the heroine, a woman with a complicated past who happens to be the lone eyewitness to the crime.
Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane
For fans of: The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
The author of acclaimed fiction books like Mystic River and Shutter Island surprised readers with this more character-driven (but no less compelling) 2017 bestseller. Since We Fell follows former journalist and recluse Rachel Childs, whose life falls apart when she realizes her beloved marriage—and everything else she once knew to be true—is not as it seems.
“There aren’t too many big books that I can say that I’ve read in a day, but Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane comes in at a nice 418 pages that I could not peel myself away from,” says Kerri Wallace, a librarian with the Hoboken Public Library. “Filled with unexpected twists and turns, you might have to take a sick day from work because you won’t be able to pull yourself away. On a side note: I swear I did not play hooky from work to finish this book.”
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
For fans of: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Gillian Flynn’s No. 1 New York Times bestseller debuted in 2012 and sparked a critically acclaimed film adaptation and a whole generation of copycats. There’s a reason you’ve heard of Gone Girl even if you haven’t read it—it’s just that good. Here’s the spoiler-free gist of the book: A beautiful wife goes missing on her fifth wedding anniversary, and her husband, Nick, starts to look more and more like a suspect. The surprise ending is both clever and disturbing. You’ll blow through this in a matter of days (possibly hours) and will immediately ask for another of Gillian Flynn’s page-turning mystery books. Order them all; they make great beach reads.
A Spy in the Struggle by Aya de León
For fans of: Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns
Winning accolades left and right—including the International Latino Book Award—A Spy in the Struggle is the perfect read for mystery lovers looking to add more books by Latinx authors to their TBR list. This gripping 2020 mystery novel revolves around FBI agent Yolanda Vance, who struggles with spying on an activist group in her college town. With themes of poverty, feminism, climate justice, racism and more, this is a spy novel through an intersectional lens, making it a fresh entry into the genre.
The Cutting Season by Attica Locke
For fans of: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt and The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
Released in 2012 by acclaimed writer Attica Locke, The Cutting Season combines a modern murder mystery with historical intrigue. Caren Gray is a single mom who grew up on the Louisiana plantation she now runs as an event hall. When a staffer is found murdered, Caren is drawn into the investigation and the troubled past of this haunting place. Love both mystery books and historical fiction? This is a sure bet for you.
Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett
For fans of: Zero Days by Ruth Ware and The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
A 2024 Reader’s Digest Book Club pick, Missing White Woman is a whip-smart murder mystery that examines the complexities that arise when a Black woman finds a dead white woman in her vacation rental.
“A sharp look at ‘missing white woman syndrome’ and what happens when internet sleuths get in on the action, Kellye Garrett’s novel will feel familiar to anyone who’s watched missing women go viral on social media and wondered whether the online discourse did more harm than good,” says Neithercott. “Just be warned: You’re going to want to pick up this thrilling mystery when you have plenty of time to read. I raced through it!”
The Laughing Policeman by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö
For fans of: Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell
This Swedish mystery novel, which was first published in 1968, is a classic work of international fiction and one you’ll want to pick up again and again. Part of a book series with 10 books to its name, The Laughing Policeman tells the story of a mass murder on a Stockholm bus, diving into the complicated lives of the passengers and touching on Swedish history. It’s a smart whodunit that manages to thrill more than half a century after its release.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
For fans of: If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
Like a lot of mystery books, Donna Tartt’s 1992 dark academia novel opens with a murder. Unlike most mystery books, the question in The Secret History isn’t who but why. College student Richard narrates this tale of his arresting professor, the misfits he calls friends and the murder they committed because—well, you’ll have to read to find out. Tartt may have won a Pulitzer Prize in fiction for The Goldfinch, but her enormous talent is also on display in her gorgeous and suspenseful first novel. So pull out your favorite tweed jacket and cozy up in your reading chair for a truly unputdownable story.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
For fans of: One by One by Ruth Ware
It’s hard to choose a favorite Agatha Christie book, as she wrote many of the best mystery books of all time. But the numbers don’t lie: 1939’s And Then There Were None is Christie’s bestselling novel, with more than 100 million copies sold. What’s a good mystery book for readers new to the genre? Why, this one, of course! The classic murder mystery featuring beloved Belgian detective Hercule Poirot follows a group of strangers who have been invited to an island and start to die off one by one.
Every Time I Go On Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack
For fans of: Beaches, Bungalows & Burglaries by Tonya Kappes
Set in gorgeous Italy, this hilarious 2024 bestseller features a murder mystery author whose life starts to imitate art: As she’s trying to kill off her main character, someone is trying to kill his real-life inspiration. “This book is so meta,” says Zibby Owens, host of the award-winning podcast Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books and bestselling author of Blank. “I relished the behind-the-scenes publishing details, the life of the author, the super fans and the location in Italy. I felt like I’d just watched the best TV show ever.”
Like your murder with a side of humor? You’re in luck. Readers say this is one of the funniest books you’ll find in the mystery genre.
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
For fans of: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
It’s 1954, and two U.S. Marshals are heading to Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of a patient at the mental hospital there. But nothing—and we mean nothing—is as it seems in Shutter Island. Dennis Lehane rocketed to fame with his 2001 novel Mystic River, and this 2003 mystery book is just as good. If you haven’t seen the Martin Scorsese film based on the book, wait to watch until you’ve turned the last page.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
For fans of: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
An island. A murder. No, we’re not talking about Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None this time. This is the setup for Lucy Foley’s New York Times bestselling novel The Guest List. It’s a modern take on the classic tale, with a wedding party trapped on an island off the coast of Ireland, a dead body and a slowly building mystery as to who did it—and why. Published in 2021, the novel was picked up by Reese’s Book Club and lauded by critics as a must for Christie fans.
A Dangerous Man by Robert Crais
For fans of: Die Trying by Lee Child
Bestselling author Robert Crais’s mystery books are not to be missed (there’s a reason book recommendations often include his name!), and 2019’s A Dangerous Man is no exception. Joe Pike is about as tough and unflappable as they come, but even superhero-esque tough guys have to do mundane things—like their banking. It’s as Pike is leaving his local branch that he witnesses a woman being forced into a car. He charges into Good Samaritan mode and saves her but gets himself involved in a world of trouble. Once it starts, the action doesn’t stop.
The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel: Genius, Power and Deception on the Eve of World War I by Douglas Brunt
For fans of: Black Dahlia by James Ellroy
As its title suggests, this 2024 nonfiction book from New York Times bestselling author Douglas Brunt explores the real-life disappearance of the German inventor of the Diesel engine from a steamship in 1913. You might be hesitant to pick up a nonfiction mystery book, but the gripping story of Rudolf Diesel will convince you otherwise.
“Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction,” says Owens. “In Doug Brunt’s latest, I learned about history, power, war, oil and so much more while trying to figure out how exactly such a big shot disappeared. Gripping and page-turning, the book was impossible to put down.” The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel is the perfect read for true crime fans and history buffs alike.
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
For fans of: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena
If you loved Gone Girl, you’ll want to pick up a copy of Liane Moriarty’s 2015 novel, Big Little Lies. Yes, it was adapted into a hit HBO series starring Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep, but don’t press “play” just yet; read the book first. Contemporary, stylish and relatable, Big Little Lies deftly weaves suspense, social class and feminism into an unforgettable tale.
In the Woods by Tana French
For fans of: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Irish author Tana French cemented herself as one of the greatest crime writers with her debut novel, 2007’s In the Woods. In 1984, three children entered the woods. Only one came out. Two decades later, a young girl is found murdered in the same woods, and a Dublin detective with a murky past sets out to solve the crime.
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
For fans of: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Published to huge acclaim in 2017 and now a TV series on Peacock, One of Us Is Lying tells the story of five kids who walk into detention—and what happens when only four walk out. Think of it like a murder mystery version of The Breakfast Club. This No. 1 New York Times bestseller follows the teens as they become suspects in their classmate’s murder. It’s an exhilarating whodunit that will keep you guessing until the very end, making it one of the best books for teens and top mystery books for adults too.
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
For fans of: The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett and In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes
Published in 1939, this classic book introduced the world to the now-famous detective Philip Marlowe. The Big Sleep kicks off with a dying millionaire who hires the gumshoe to deal with a blackmailer. It’s at turns sexy, moody and pulpy and features the quintessential broody PI.
Not That Kind of Place by Michael Melgaard
For fans of: Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate
Published in 2023, Not That Kind of Place by Michael Melgaard pushes against mystery genre tropes, examining our cultural obsession with true crime and providing strong social commentary on misogyny and racism. “The greatness of this book snuck up on me,” says Sloane Bernard, a lawyer and voracious reader who shares book recommendations on Instagram as @sloane_reads. “Its pages provided so much more than a whodunit. They exposed the radical disparity in society’s approach and attention to violence—the latitude provided to some, while others face assumptions and bias. A mystery that examines the underbelly of a community, [Not That Kind of Place by] Melgaard shows that every place is ‘that kind of place’ if people were assigned equal value.”
2 Sisters Detective Agency by James Patterson and Candice Fox
For fans of: Along Came a Spider by James Patterson and Crimson Lake by Candice Fox
Master of mystery novels James Patterson partnered with Australian writer Candice Fox to create 2 Sisters Detective Agency, the fast-paced story of a woman who returns home after her father’s death to discover the detective agency she never knew he’d opened and the half-sister she never knew she had. The book, which was published in the fall of 2021, starts racing right out of the gate, taking the detective duo from a tense investigation to a surprising crescendo. Patterson’s signature short chapters keep this tale moving, and Fox’s vivid characters will have you hoping this turns into a series. Readers who like to listen to stories—say, during long commutes—will be pleased to know there’s an audiobook version too.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
For fans of: Sandstorm by James Rollins and Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Good mystery books should have you furiously flipping pages, and Dan Brown has certainly mastered this. “The Da Vinci Code cemented Dan Brown as the king of the page-turner,” says Fritz. “From the darkest corners of the Louvre to Westminster Abbey, this fast-paced mystery is like an escape room come to life.”
Mesmerizing from the get-go, The Da Vinci Code begins with a curator who’s been murdered inside the Louvre. Near the body, a mysterious cipher is found. Enter Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, who follows the clues with the hopes of uncovering a secret thousands of years in the making. More than 80 million copies of the book have been sold since it was published in 2003, and it was adapted for film in 2006 and as a young adult novel in 2016.
Additional reporting by Chloë Nannestad.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’ve been sharing our favorite books for over 100 years. We’ve worked with bestselling authors including Susan Orlean, Janet Evanovich and Alex Haley, whose Pulitzer Prize–winning Roots grew out of a project funded by and originally published in the magazine. Through Fiction Favorites (formerly Select Editions and Condensed Books), Reader’s Digest has been publishing anthologies of abridged novels for decades. We’ve worked with some of the biggest names in fiction, including James Patterson, Ruth Ware, Kristin Hannah and more. The Reader’s Digest Book Club, helmed by Books Editor Tracey Neithercott, introduces readers to even more of today’s best fiction by upcoming, bestselling and award-winning authors. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Alexandra Plante, librarian specializing in reference and instruction and influencer behind the @thealiplante Instagram account; interview May 2024
- Kerri Wallace, librarian with the Hoboken Public Library; interview May 2024
- Zibby Owens, host of the Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books podcast, bestselling author of Blank and owner of the independent bookstore Zibby’s Bookshop and publishing house Zibby Books; interview May 2024
- Sloane Bernard, book influencer behind the @sloane_reads Instagram account; interview May 2024
Originally Published: November 23, 2021
