Best Murder Mystery Books in 2025: Top 6 Picks

Searching for the best books murder mystery? Look no further! This list unveils thrilling tales that'll keep you guessing!
Gone Girl coverThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo cover

Welcome! We love a gripping whodunit, and today, we’re sharing our top picks for the best books murder mystery fans will adore. We know that choosing the perfect thriller can be harder than solving a locked-room mystery, so our goal is to help you navigate this maze. We look for twists that keep you guessing, characters you’ll remember, and a plot that leaves you speechless. Our picks promise to thrill, chill, and possibly force you to sleep with the lights on. Ready to unravel the mystery?

On this list:

6 The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith

  • Genre: Crime, Mystery
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2013
  • Pages: 464

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A gripping tale that twists and turns like a rollercoaster. The characters are so vivid, you’d swear they were real.

5 Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl cover

  • Genre: Thriller, Mystery
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2012
  • Pages: 422

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A thrilling story that keeps your heart racing. We loved how the plot keeps you guessing till the very end.

4 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2005
  • Pages: 465

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The plot is like solving a complex puzzle. Once you start, it’s impossible to put down!

3 In the Woods by Tana French

In the Woods cover

  • Genre: Crime, Mystery, Psychological
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2007
  • Pages: 429

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The atmosphere in this book could make a goosebumps-needing person actually feel cold. The story lingers in your mind.

2 The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

The Da Vinci Code cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2003
  • Pages: 689

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A legendary classic. If you haven’t read it yet, you’re definitely in for a treat with all its excitement.

1 The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Crime
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1926
  • Pages: 312

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This remains one of the best books in murder mystery genre. The twist is something that stays with readers for a lifetime. The book’s been praised for its clever plot and surprising ending. It’s like a masterclass in mystery writing, wrapped up in a single book. When we first read the ending, our jaws hit the floor. From the sharp dialogue to the classic small-town setting, there’s nothing quite like it. You feel like a detective yourself, piecing things together. It is the pinnacle of classic mystery!

Steve Peterson Cartoonified
Steve Peterson

Hi there! I'm Steve Peterson, a passionate reading enthusiast who loves nothing more than getting lost in a good book. My love for literature spans across genres, from thrilling mysteries and gripping fantasy to thought-provoking non-fiction.

I hope my reviews help you find the perfect next book to dive into!