2025’s Best Murder Mystery Books of All Time

We explored the best murder mystery books of all time, including classics with thrilling plots and unforgettable characters.

The Hound of the Baskervilles coverGone Girl coverAnd Then There Were None cover

Gather ’round, book lovers, as we embark on a thrilling journey through the world of the best murder mystery books of all time. We know that a good mystery can keep you turning pages late into the night, and our list is here to make sure you get your fill of suspense and intrigue. We’ve handpicked these gems for their gripping plots, unforgettable characters, and unexpected twists that make you gasp and laugh in disbelief. So grab your magnifying glass, and let’s unravel the mysteries together!

On this list:

5 The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Hound of the Baskervilles cover

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

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The classic Holmes mystery, this one had us on the edge of our seats, even though we knew Watson was always safe. Spoiler: it’s all about that spooky hound!

4 Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl cover

  • Genre: Psychological Thriller
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2012
  • Pages: 432

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Full of twists, turns, and enough marital drama to make us question our relationships. The unreliable narrator keeps us guessing until the very end.

3 And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1939
  • Pages: 264

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The queen of mystery herself, Christie creates a suspenseful tale of guests getting picked off one by one. We couldn’t sleep until we finished it.

2 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo cover

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

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This one, with its cold Swedish backdrop, had us shivering with suspense. The mystery will have you enthralled, and you’ll want to follow Lisbeth’s every move.

1 The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd cover

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

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This tops our best murder mystery books of all time as it shocked the genre with its innovative twist. It danced around the rules, leading us to an unexpected conclusion. Narration played with reality, introducing an unreliable aspect we had never seen before. Poirot’s method was classic yet fresh. We loved how Christie tied every loose end, satisfying our thirst for logical resolution. Her skill in building suspense while maintaining subtle hints kept us turning pages. Despite its early 20th-century setting, the book remains timeless, influencing countless others that followed. It’s a gem for readers who cherish clever, thought-provoking plots.

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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!