10 Best Detective Stories to Read in 2025
If you love detective stories, this top list has the best whodunits, clever twists, and brilliant sleuths you'll ever meet.
Hunting for the sharpest detective stories but don’t know where to start? We’ve all been lost in a maze of magnifying glasses, rain-soaked streets, and hard-boiled gumshoes. So we put our heads together (and spilled some coffee) to create this list. We picked detective stories that mix clever plots, memorable detectives, and a little bit of humor—because who wants to follow a grumpy sleuth for 400 pages? Whether you crave classic mysteries or modern crime, our picks promise plenty of twists and maybe even a clue or two you can spot before the detective does.
On this list:
10 Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
We picked ‘Maisie Dobbs’ because it’s a gentle, clever detective story with a strong female lead who solves mysteries in post-WWI London. It gives us cozy charm and a good mystery, just like ‘The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’, but with a British twist and more tea. It’s perfect for those who want sleuthing with a softer touch, a bit of history, and fewer car chases. Our book group laughed and enjoyed guessing the culprit over scones.
9 The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)
We enjoyed the banter between detective Cormoran Strike and his assistant almost as much as the twists. Rowling knows how to string you along. If you like your detective stories with more grit, this is a solid pick.
8 The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
This is a classic for a reason. Chandler’s Philip Marlowe has seen it all, and we love his wisecracks. You’ll have trouble putting this one down or keeping track of the bodies.
7 The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
If you like your detective stories with sass and a little double-cross, look no more. Sam Spade is smart, tough, and maybe even a little mean. We still don’t know what happened to the bird.
6 Still Life by Louise Penny
Detective Inspector Gamache feels like a good friend after a few pages. These stories bring the Canadian village of Three Pines to life, plus there’s always a twist.
5 The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
We couldn’t leave out Sherlock. This one’s got spooky moors, creepy howls, and sharp logic. It’s a detective story that’s stood the test of time.
4 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
This gripping tale from Sweden mixes hacking, journalism, and family secrets. Lisbeth Salander might just be the coolest detective out there, tattoos and all.
3 Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
Jackson Brodie, the PI in these stories, can’t help but get tangled up in strange cold cases. Atkinson keeps things smart and funny, even when the cases get dark.
2 The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon
We added this one for detective story fans who like something offbeat. It’s set in an alternate Alaska, and the PI’s got about as much luck as a chocolate teapot. Funny, deep, and a little weird.
1 The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie
We picked The ABC Murders as the best because it’s a page-turner with a twisty plot and clever clues. Hercule Poirot, Christie’s master detective, faces a killer who leaves an ABC railway guide at every murder scene. We love how Christie builds suspense, keeping us guessing till the very end. The book balances humor, suspense, and brainy detective work, making it fun even for new readers. Plus, the way Poirot outsmarts both the killer and us as readers is just plain satisfying. We found ourselves trying to guess, and we still got it wrong! While it’s not the bloodiest or darkest in detective stories, its cleverness and playful tone make it easy to read and enjoy. If you want a classic detective story that’s stood the test of time, you can’t go wrong here.
