14 Best Murder Mysteries Books to Read in 2025

Discover the best murder mysteries books, featuring Agatha Christie's classic that keeps readers guessing till the last page.
The Hound of the Baskervilles coverGone Girl coverAnd Then There Were None cover

Discovering the best murder mysteries books is like hunting for hidden gems in a treasure chest of suspense and thrills. We focus on books that keep you guessing, with plots as twisty as a roller coaster and characters as mysterious as the night. You’ll find stories that have captivated us with their unique styles and thrilling narratives. Join us on this journey to uncover the thrilling tales of deception, intrigue, and surprise.

On this list:

14 The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Hound of the Baskervilles cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Detective
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1902
  • Pages: 256

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Sherlock Holmes returns! When we think of best murder mysteries books, this one howls. A family curse, a phantom hound, and a detective duo we adore.

13 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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Twists and turns around every corner! This book has more surprises than my last birthday party’s piñata. A look at marriage gone wrong.

12 And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Suspense
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1939
  • Pages: 272

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Ten strangers on an island, and none of them brought a buddy! Christie serves anxiety with a side of mystery in one of her best murder mysteries books.

11 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo cover

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

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Lisbeth Salander’s a hacker, but she can’t hack my heart because she already owns it! A gripping tale of crime, corruption, and redemption.

10 The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith

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

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We chose ‘The Cuckoo’s Calling’ for its captivating plot and engaging detective work, similar to ‘The Da Vinci Code’. It’s a thrilling read by J.K. Rowling under a pseudonym, showcasing her skill in weaving intricate mysteries.

9 Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Big Little Lies cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Drama
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2014
  • Pages: 460

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Suburban drama that’s tastier than the last casserole I botched. It’s murder wrapped in reality TV drama! This belongs among the best murder mysteries books.

8 The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

The Silence of the Lambs cover

  • Genre: Thriller, Mystery
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1988
  • Pages: 367

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Cannibalism never felt so classy. We tip our hat to Hannibal. As creepy as my uncle during family dinners, but with more thrill.

7 The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The Secret History cover

  • Genre: Thriller, Mystery
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1992
  • Pages: 559

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Guilt wears a fancy toga in this sinister tale. The story is gripping and feels intimate. One of those best murder mysteries books.

6 Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

Shutter Island cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2003
  • Pages: 400

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Mystery as dark as the inside of my closet. You’ll be guessing faster than my wife does with my favorite takeaway.

5 In the Woods by Tana French

In the Woods cover

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

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Lost kids, found mysteries. The woods are not just for campfires. One of those best murder mysteries books that’s hard to put down.

4 Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Rebecca cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Gothic
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1938
  • Pages: 400

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Mystery with a touch of the gothic. It’s more atmospheric than my cousin’s fog machine at Halloween. Truly among the best murder mysteries books.

3 The Reversal by Michael Connelly

The Reversal cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2010
  • Pages: 416

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Justice system gymnastics at its best. A courtroom drama that’s intense as the judge’s glare when we missed jury selection.

2 The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

The Woman in White cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Gothic
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1859
  • Pages: 672

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Classic tale of deception and mystery. We adore its gothic charm and complex characters as much as Detective Holmes’ quirks.

1 The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd cover

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

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Chosen as the best for its groundbreaking twist. It redefined detective fiction, challenging what we expect. When we read this, we gasped louder than my aunt during soap opera season finales. Poirot shines bright, outsmarting both criminals and readers. It’s a thrilling escapade of wit and unpredictable outcomes ensuring its spot as one of the best murder mysteries books. It forces us to question the very nature of truth in a detective narrative, cementing Christie’s genius. Every page is as essential as my morning coffee, holding mysteries tighter than a magician’s best-kept secret.

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!