13 Best Murder Mystery Novels of 2024 Reviewed

Here’s our top list of the best murder mystery novels. These reads will keep you guessing and entertained.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo coverGone Girl coverThe 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle cover

We all love a good mystery, don’t we? Unraveling clues, suspecting everyone, and that gasp-worthy twist at the end. When picking the 13 best murder mystery novels for this list, we focused on gripping plots, unforgettable characters, and jaw-dropping twists. Whether you fancy modern tales or classic whodunits, these books have it all. Buckle up, grab a cup of coffee, and get ready for some sleepless nights. These novels will keep you guessing till the very last page!

On this list:

13 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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A must-read foreign gem. It’s twisty and dark. Lisbeth Salander is unforgettable.

12 Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl cover

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

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A psychological thriller that messes with your head. The plot twists are insane.

11 The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle
  • Year released: 2018
  • Pages: 448

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This book keeps the mystery and suspense alive just like The Da Vinci Code, but with a unique twist of body-swapping to solve a murder. It offers a fresh spin with its intricate plot that will keep you guessing till the end.

10 Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Big Little Lies cover

  • Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Mystery
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2014
  • Pages: 480

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It’s got the drama and the suspense. The character development is top-notch.

9 The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

The Woman in White cover

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

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A classic that still packs a punch. Creepy atmosphere and well-written suspense.

8 The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

The Silent Patient cover

  • Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2019
  • Pages: 336

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A gripping page-turner. It’s clever and leaves you speechless.

7 The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd cover

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

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One of Christie’s best. The twist is legendary. Hercule Poirot is in his prime.

6 In the Woods by Tana French

In the Woods cover

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

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Dark and atmospheric. The writing pulls you in, and the mystery keeps you hooked.

5 Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Sharp Objects cover

  • Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2006
  • Pages: 254

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Another Flynn masterpiece. It’s twisted and dark. You won’t see the end coming.

4 The Reversal by Michael Connelly

The Reversal cover

  • Genre: Legal Thriller, Mystery
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2010
  • Pages: 400

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Legal thriller at its best. Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch, what a combo!

3 A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George

A Great Deliverance cover

  • Genre: Crime, Mystery
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1988
  • Pages: 432

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Complex characters and a chilling murder case. Detective Inspector Lynley is a standout.

2 The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith

  • Genre: Crime, Mystery
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2013
  • Pages: 455

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J.K. Rowling in disguise! A solid detective story with compelling characters.

1 And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None cover

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

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Why this is the best: This book is the gold standard for murder mysteries. Christie’s plot is tight, the suspense is unbearable, and the ending leaves you in awe. Each character is distinct, making it impossible to guess who did it. It’s like the Swiss army knife of mystery novels – compact, efficient, and always handy to have around for a good surprise.

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!