By Elissaperry The mystery is a really captivating genre not only for the twist and thriller in the plots but also for the human nature that is usually at the heart of the story. The best mystery books of all time offer plenty of both of these things. plenty of both. They are also known for their thought-provoking observations made along the way.
As this is a genre that is centuries old, this list does not mean to serve as a definitive list of every well-written mystery book. However, this list works as a round-up of the best mystery books of all time that have explained the genre in several meaningful ways.
Top 10 Best Mystery Books
1. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
Choosing which Agatha Christie novel to pick for reading as her all-time best is a really difficult task. Her Miss Marple series strongly influenced the mystery genre. And Then There Were None is also a notable novel, inspiring the locked-room mystery. Murder on the Orient Express is also popular for its twist ending.
Ultimately, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is on the list because of its creative and somewhat controversial story. It was voted the Best Crime Novel of All Time in 2013 by the British Crime Writers’ Association.
2. Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
This novel is the first in the Easy Rawlins hard-boiled detective series. A World War II veteran in need of money, Easy Rawlins accepts a job from a white man to find a missing woman. It’s a thought-provoking mystery that represents racial and social issues in the United States.
In 2016, Walter Mosley was given the title of Grand Master at the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Awards for his achievements within the mystery genre.
3. Cain’s Jawbone by Torquemada
Cain’s Jawbone is considered to be the most difficult-to-solve mystery novel ever written. To this date, only four people have solved this approximately 100-year-old literary puzzle.
If you try it for yourself, be prepared to attempt rearranging the out-of-order pages which can be organized in a number of ways, but only one is correct.
4. The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji
This cult classic was published in 1987 and is considered as one of the first shin-honkaku novels. It is a Japanese movement that revitalized the style of Golden Age mystery novels.
The story begins with a college group of mystery enthusiasts, who visit an island where a brutal murder took place years ago. But when they get murdered one by one, the remaining students have to use their knowledge to catch the killer among them.
5. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
Stephanie Plum is one of the most popular comedic crime series of all time. It has novels that have regularly topped the New York Times bestseller list. The first novel follows Stephanie shortly after she loses her job as a lingerie buyer and makes an unexpected career change i:e., bounty hunting.
6. The Notting Hill Mystery by Charles Felix
The Notting Hill Mystery is considered to be one of the first-ever detective novels. Originally serialized and published in one volume later on, this novel follows insurance investigator Ralph Henderson as he solves the suspicious death of Baron R’s wife.
7. Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke
This novel is considered one of the best mystery thrillers of all time. Bluebird depicts Black Texas Ranger Darren Matthews who returns to his hometown Lark while on suspension and is separated from his wife.
Here he investigates the recent murders of a man and a woman that, despite what the local authorities say, he knows were racially motivated.
8. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Newbery award-winning novel, The Westing Game engaged many children in the mystery genre. It was first published in 1978.
In the story, after the millionaire Sam Westing dies, his will reveals that the 16 tenants of the Sunset Towers are named as his potential heirs. But only one of the tenants will inherit his fortune by unraveling the clues Sam Westing left behind.
9. The Little Death by Michael Nava
This novel was written in 1986 and is the first in the Lambda award-winning Henry Rios series. Henry Rios is a gay Latino defense lawyer who is determined to serve clients that his straight, white colleagues refuse to represent.
After falling for a recovering drug addict named Paris, Rios is shocked when his lover is killed in a way that the police call accidental. However, Rios sees the signs that point to murder as the cause, and he starts his investigation by unwinding the family secrets confederated to by Paris while he is still alive.
10. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
This chilling mystery-thriller is a novel where nobody can be easily trusted. US Marshall Teddy Daniels is called to investigate the disappearance of a patient at the Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane, located on the remote Shutter Island, who is convicted of murder.
When a hurricane strikes, Teddy is forced to confront not only the trail Rachel Soldano left behind but a dark, disturbing tragedy from his past.
Conclusion:
Determining the top 10 best mystery books of all time is subjective and can vary based on personal preferences and critical acclaim.
While these are often cited as some of the best mystery books of all time, there are countless other works that have contributed to this genre. Ultimately, the best mystery book for you may be the one that keeps you guessing until the very end.
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