Best Good Murder Mystery Books 2025: Top 5 Reviewed
Looking for good murder mystery books? We’ve played detective and picked five page-turners that keep you guessing and laughing at every twist.
Finding good murder mystery books is like searching for the perfect slice of pie—it’s gotta be tasty and pack a surprise! We focus on stories that keep us guessing, characters we actually care about, and twists that make us yell, ‘No way!’ Whether you like twisted secrets or dramatic whodunits, our list of the 5 best good murder mystery books will help you pick your next gripping read. No spoilers, but we promise laughs, gasps, and maybe a little late-night reading panic.
On this list:
5 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
We picked this one because it’s like a triple espresso to the brain. You get hacking, family secrets, and murder, all in snowy Sweden. Seriously, we had to double-check our doors after reading. Great start for new fans of good murder mystery books. But heads up, it can be a bit slow in the beginning. Worth it though!
4 The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
This book is like that friend who doesn’t talk much, but when they do, jaws drop. We loved the wild twist in the middle, and trust us, none of us guessed it. It’s a good murder mystery book for folks who like a guessing game. Some characters felt a bit flat, but the ending made up for it.
3 Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
We got hooked on the drama. It’s got murder, but also schoolyard fights and secrets that only parents can have. If you’re looking for good murder mystery books that don’t get too gory, this is a sure pick. There’s a lot of characters to keep track of, but if you’ve survived a PTA meeting, you’ll be fine.
2 Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine
What if the murderer is married to you? That’s the set-up here. We found ourselves checking our partner’s Google search history after this one. It’s fast, tense, and the plot keeps spinning. Strong on suspense! But, the villain’s a bit over-the-top evil. For fans of good murder mystery books with a bit of action.
1 The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
We picked this as the best of all good murder mystery books because it’s the GOAT – the twist shocked us so much we spilled our coffee! Agatha Christie crafts a small village full of secrets, and Hercule Poirot (with his mustache) is as sharp as ever. We love the way the clues feel obvious in hindsight, but totally invisible while you’re reading. The pace is smooth, perfect for both new and old fans. Okay, it’s a bit old fashioned and there’s no Wi-Fi, but that just means you don’t get distracted! We all had fun guessing, and no one in the group got the right answer. This is THE book we’d recommend if you want to start with good murder mystery books that set the standard for twists, fun, and that satisfying feeling when the truth comes out.
