2025’s Best Murder Mystery Books of All Time: Top 13

Discover the best murder mystery books of all time with our list of thrilling tales that keep you guessing.
The ABC Murders coverGone Girl coverThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo cover

Welcome to the thrilling world of the best murder mystery books of all time! We’ve carefully handpicked a selection of 13 spine-chilling tales for your enjoyment. Our choices are based on intriguing plots, unforgettable twists, and characters that leap off the page. Whether you’re a seasoned detective in the world of literature or a newcomer looking for a gripping story, this list will have you on the edge of your seat. Get ready to unveil the secrets behind each masterpiece as you embark on a suspenseful journey through the best murder mysteries ever written.

On this list:

13 The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie

The ABC Murders cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Crime
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1936
  • Pages: 256

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We picked this book because it is a classic murder mystery involving a clever detective, Hercule Poirot, solving a series of alphabetically arranged murders. It’s intriguing and keeps readers guessing with its suspenseful plot.

12 Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl cover

  • Genre: Thriller, Psychological
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2012
  • Pages: 422

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This one kept us up all night. Flynn twists our minds with a plot so clever, we don’t see it coming. Marriage has never been this mysterious!

11 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo cover

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

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We delved into Swedish gloom and it was captivating! It’s a rollercoaster with a hacker and a journalist battling against corruption, secrets, and a missing person.

10 Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Murder on the Orient Express cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Crime
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1934
  • Pages: 256

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Christie makes us suspect everyone aboard the train! Poirot uses his little grey cells, and we love guessing until the shocking reveal. This train ride is unforgettable.

9 Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Big Little Lies cover

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2014
  • Pages: 460

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A favorite among our book club! Moriarty mixes humor and suspense, with characters that feel like our neighbors. Who knew a school trivia night could get so intense?

8 In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

In Cold Blood cover

  • Genre: Non-fiction, True Crime
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1966
  • Pages: 343

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Capote dives into the psyche of killers in a real-life Kansas murder case. We felt shivers down our spines with its chilling storytelling and investigative depth.

7 The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

The Silent Patient cover

  • Genre: Thriller, Psychological
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2019
  • Pages: 325

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Who doesn’t love a thriller where the main suspect refuses to speak? We unravelled secrets with each page, and the twist left us speechless!

6 The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith

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

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J.K. Rowling’s pseudonym gave us a riveting, modern detective novel. Cormoran Strike feels like an old friend, and solving this celebrity mystery kept our hearts racing.

5 The Reversal by Michael Connelly

The Reversal cover

  • Genre: Legal Thriller
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2010
  • Pages: 389

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With twists and a gripping plot, The Reversal offers a classic mystery experience. It’s among the best murder mystery books of all time.

4 The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The Secret History cover

  • Genre: Fiction, Mystery
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1992
  • Pages: 559

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Tartt’s novel is a sneak peek into a college group with shocking secrets. We found it haunting and intellectually stimulating, making us question morality and art.

3 The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

The No. 1 Ladies

  • Genre: Mystery, Fiction
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1998
  • Pages: 235

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We adore Precious Ramotswe solving mysteries in Botswana with humor and heart. Smith’s delightful writing brings Africa alive, and these charming tales are a pure joy.

2 The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

The Woman in White cover

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

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As one of the first mystery novels, it sets a high standard. Collins’ Victorian characters and eerie atmosphere keep us guessing. It’s a gothic masterpiece!

1 Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Rebecca cover

  • Genre: Gothic, Mystery
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1938
  • Pages: 448

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We get lost in the dark secrets of Manderley and its haunting mistress. Du Maurier’s tale of jealousy and mystery is timeless and utterly captivating.

0 And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Crime
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1939
  • Pages: 272

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Considered the best murder mystery book of all time, for good reason. Christie sets the stage with ten strangers and a nursery rhyme. We felt the suspense build as each character faced their fate. The isolated island setting adds an eerie claustrophobia that keeps pages turning. What sets this book apart is its perfectly executed plot and complex characters. We found the ending jaw-dropping and utterly satisfying, making this a must-read classic that defines the genre.

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!