Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
- 2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
- 3. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
- 4. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
- 5. In the Woods by Tana French
- 6. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
- 7. The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
- 8. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
- 9. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
- 10. The Reversal by Michael Connelly
- 11. Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
- 12. The Snowman by Jo Nesbø
- 13. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
- 14. Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
- 15. The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)
- 16. The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
- 17. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
- 18. The Widow by Fiona Barton
- 19. The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
- 20. The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
- 21. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
- 22. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
- Conclusion
Introduction
Mystery novels have a way of pulling us into a world of suspense, intrigue, and deception. The best ones leave us on the edge of our seats, flipping pages late into the night as we try to unravel the puzzles hidden in their narratives. Let’s look at 22 of the best mystery novels that will hook you from start to finish.
Mystery novels are like puzzles for your brain. They drop you into a world of secrets, lies, and suspense, and it’s up to you to put the pieces together. You get to play detective alongside the characters, trying to figure out whodunnit before the big reveal. The genre is perfect for when you want a book that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat.
From psychological thrillers to classic whodunits, the following mystery novels explore the darker side of human nature and take readers on a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns. Whether you’re a fan of gritty detectives, cold-blooded murderers, or unreliable narrators, a mystery novel will grip you and refuse to let go.
1. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is a twisted psychological thriller that will mess with your head. The story focuses on Nick Dunne, whose wife Amy disappears on their fifth anniversary. Everyone thinks Nick did it, but as the story unfolds, you question everything. The book switches between Nick’s perspective and Amy’s diary entries; neither is reliable.
This book is a rollercoaster of twists and turns, and you’ll constantly be second-guessing what’s real and who to believe. Flynn does an amazing job of creating complex and flawed characters, and the ending will leave you speechless. If you’re looking for a mystery that will keep you up all night, Gone Girl is the perfect choice.
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
In The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander team up to solve a decades-old mystery surrounding a wealthy Swedish family. As they delve into the Vanger family’s dark past, they uncover long-buried secrets and face horrifying truths.
Larsson’s novel blends elements of crime fiction, investigative journalism, and corporate corruption while introducing one of the most iconic female characters in modern mystery fiction—Lisbeth Salander, the unforgettable, tattooed hacker with a troubled past.
3. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies unravels a seemingly perfect suburban community through lies, secrets, and a deadly act of violence. The story centers around three women—Madeline, Celeste, and Jane—whose lives become intertwined as a murder investigation unfolds. The novel explores themes of domestic abuse, toxic friendships, and hidden truths while maintaining a sharp sense of humor. With its shifting perspectives and clever pacing, Big Little Lies keeps readers hooked from start to shocking finish.
4. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
The Silent Patient is a gripping psychological thriller that tells the story of Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who shoots her husband five times and then goes completely mute. Her silence turns her into a media sensation, but no one knows why she committed the crime. Enter Theo Faber, a forensic psychologist obsessed with uncovering the truth behind Alicia’s silence. The novel is full of twists, and as Theo digs deeper, he begins to question not only Alicia’s story but his own reality.
5. In the Woods by Tana French
In the Woods is the first book in Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad series, and it introduces readers to Detective Rob Ryan, who is investigating the murder of a young girl found in the same woods where two of his childhood friends mysteriously disappeared decades earlier. As Rob gets drawn into the case, his repressed memories begin to surface, making him question his own involvement in past events. French’s evocative writing and ability to blend psychological depth with a haunting mystery make this a must-read for fans of slow-burn suspense.
6. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Before Gone Girl, there was Sharp Objects, Gillian Flynn’s debut novel. Camille Preaker, a journalist with a history of self-harm, returns to her small hometown to investigate the murders of two young girls. As she reconnects with her estranged, controlling mother and her disturbed half-sister, Camille is forced to confront her own demons. Sharp Objects is a dark and disturbing exploration of family dysfunction, psychological trauma, and small-town secrets that will keep you glued to the page.
7. The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
Agoraphobic and heavily medicated, Anna Fox spends her days spying on her neighbors from her New York townhouse. When she believes she witnessed a violent crime in the house across the street, her world spirals into paranoia and confusion. The Woman in the Window is a modern take on the unreliable narrator trope, with a Hitchcockian vibe reminiscent of Rear Window. As Anna’s mind plays tricks on her, readers are left questioning what is real and what is a product of her fractured mental state.
8. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
No list of mystery novels would be complete without a Sherlock Holmes story, created by one of the most influential authors of all time, Arthur Conan Doyle. The Hound of the Baskervilles is perhaps the most iconic, combining elements of gothic horror with detective fiction. When Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead on his estate, apparently frightened to death by the legendary ghostly hound that haunts his family, Holmes and Watson are called in to investigate. As they uncover clues in the misty moors of Dartmoor, the line between superstition and reality becomes increasingly blurred.
9. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Paula Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train became an instant bestseller with its gripping premise and unreliable narrator. Rachel Watson commutes to work every day, staring out the train window at the life she wishes she had. When she notices something strange happening with a couple, she often watches and becomes embroiled in a missing persons investigation. Rachel’s alcohol-fueled unreliability and inability to separate fantasy from reality make for a tense and twist-filled read.
10. The Reversal by Michael Connelly
In The Reversal, famed defense attorney Mickey Haller is recruited by the prosecution to retry a man convicted of a brutal crime 24 years ago. The catch? The man was recently released on appeal, and now Haller must work with his ex-wife, prosecutor Maggie McPherson, to put him back behind bars. As they dig deeper into the case, they uncover new evidence that leads to shocking revelations. Connelly’s mastery of legal suspense and courtroom drama makes this one of the standout entries in his Mickey Haller series.
11. Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
Christine Lucas wakes up every day with no memory of her life. After a traumatic accident, her mind resets every 24 hours, erasing everything she’s learned about herself. Her only source of information is her husband and the journal she secretly keeps. But as she starts to piece together her life, she realizes that not everything—or everyone—can be trusted. Before I Go to Sleep is a chilling psychological thriller about memory, identity, and the dangerous truths we might discover when we dig too deep.
12. The Snowman by Jo Nesbø
Norwegian author Jo Nesbø brings us The Snowman, a gripping thriller featuring detective Harry Hole. When a young boy finds his mother’s scarf wrapped around a snowman in their yard, it sparks a string of disappearances and murders that lead Hole to investigate a sinister serial killer who has been targeting women for years. Nesbø’s intricate plot and flawed yet compelling protagonist make this a top-tier mystery that keeps you guessing until the chilling conclusion.
13. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Although more of a literary thriller, Donna Tartt’s The Secret History is an enthralling exploration of murder, morality, and the seductive power of intellect. It tells the story of a group of elite college students who become involved in a murder within their tightly-knit circle. As their secrets unravel, so does their sense of control over their lives. Tartt’s richly detailed prose and psychological insights make this a haunting, slow-burning mystery that will stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
14. Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
Magpie Murders is a brilliantly crafted meta-mystery that pays homage to classic golden-age detective stories. When best-selling crime writer Alan Conway gives editor Susan Ryeland the latest manuscript, she expects nothing more than a routine editing job. But as she reads, she realizes the book may hold the key to solving a real-life murder. Anthony Horowitz masterfully intertwines two mysteries—fictional and real—into a cleverly structured and utterly engrossing novel.
15. The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)
Written by J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, The Cuckoo’s Calling introduces private investigator Cormoran Strike. When supermodel Lula Landry falls to her death from a balcony, it’s ruled a suicide. But her brother suspects foul play and hires Strike to investigate. As Strike digs into the case, he uncovers a tangled web of lies and betrayals within London’s high society. This hard-boiled detective novel fully displays Rowling’s skill at world-building and intricate plotting.
16. The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
The Couple Next Door is a fast-paced domestic thriller about a seemingly perfect couple, Anne and Marco Conti, whose lives unravel when their baby goes missing during a dinner party. As the investigation unfolds, secrets from the past emerge, and nothing is as it seems. Lapena’s novel is full of shocking twists and turns, keeping readers guessing who the real culprit is right until the end.
17. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
Often considered the first modern English detective novel, The Moonstone is a classic that still holds up today. The story follows the theft of a valuable diamond and the subsequent investigation into who stole it from a young woman’s bedroom. Told through multiple perspectives, the novel weaves a clever plot of red herrings and surprises. Collins’ innovative storytelling and intricate mystery make this a must-read for fans of the genre.
18. The Widow by Fiona Barton
In The Widow, Fiona Barton explores the aftermath of a man’s death through the eyes of his widow, Jean Taylor. When her husband was alive, Jean was a dutiful, supportive wife. But now that he’s gone, she’s free to tell the truth about the terrible crime he was accused of. Or is she? Barton’s novel is a psychological thriller that delves into the mind of a woman whose life has been shaped by the secrets and lies of her marriage.
19. The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
For a more lighthearted mystery, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency is a charming and delightful read. Set in Botswana, it follows Precious Ramotswe, the country’s first female private detective, as she solves cases ranging from missing persons to cheating husbands. McCall Smith’s novel is filled with warmth, humor, and a deep love for the people and culture of Botswana, making it a cozy and comforting mystery for those looking for something less dark and more uplifting.
20. The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
In Stuart Turton’s The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, the protagonist wakes up in a different body every day, tasked with solving the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle at a lavish country estate. Each day brings new clues, suspects, and challenges as he relives the same day repeatedly. With its mind-bending plot and intricate structure, this novel is a brilliant puzzle-box mystery that challenges readers to piece together the truth alongside the protagonist.
21. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
While not a traditional mystery, The Lovely Bones is a haunting story about the aftermath of a young girl’s murder. Narrated by Susie Salmon, the victim herself, from her perspective in the afterlife, the novel follows her family as they grieve and seek justice for her death. Sebold’s novel is a moving exploration of loss, healing, and the enduring impact of violence, all wrapped in a beautifully written narrative.
22. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
In The Woman in Cabin 10, travel journalist Lo Blacklock is sent on a luxury cruise. But what should be an idyllic trip quickly turns into a nightmare when she witnesses what she believes to be a woman being thrown overboard. The problem? All passengers are accounted for. As Lo tries to uncover the truth, paranoia sets in, and she begins to doubt her own sanity. Ruth Ware’s taut writing and claustrophobic setting make this a nail-biting thriller that will keep you hooked until the last page.
Conclusion
Whether you’re in the mood for a chilling psychological thriller, a cozy detective story, or a complex literary puzzle, the world of mystery novels has something for everyone. Each of these 22 mystery novels offers a unique and gripping narrative that will keep you turning pages long into the night. So, if you’re ready to get lost in a world of suspense, deceit, and unexpected twists, grab one of these mysteries and prepare to be hooked. Happy reading!