11 Best Good Murder Mystery Books Reviewed for 2024

Searching for good murder mystery books? Discover thrilling plots, unforgettable detectives, and twisted suspects in our curated list of gems.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo coverGone Girl coverThe Hound of the Baskervilles cover

Are you ready to lose sleep over some good murder mystery books? We’ve got the perfect list for you, packed with suspense, twists, and characters who’ll keep you guessing. Our picks for the 11 best murder mysteries focus on plots that are gripping, unpredictable, and a little bit maddening. We love books that make us question everything, with unexpected turns that’ll leave you saying, ‘Wait, what?’ So, buckle up and prepare for a wild ride through some of the finest whodunits in the literary world!

On this list:

11 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo cover

  • Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2008
  • Pages: 465

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This novel keeps you on the edge with its dark and intricate plot. The characters are unforgettable, and there’s a big twist.

10 Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl cover

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

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A psychological thriller with dual narratives. It’s like watching a game of chess, but with more blood and marriage problems.

9 The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Hound of the Baskervilles cover

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

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Sherlock Holmes on a spooky moor! One of the best classics that still gives us the creeps in a good way.

8 The Reversal by Michael Connelly

The Reversal cover

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

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This book keeps you guessing with its gripping plot and lucid storytelling, making it a great choice for those who enjoyed The Da Vinci Code.

7 In the Woods by Tana French

In the Woods cover

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

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This one has an atmospheric setting and psychological depth. It sticks with you, like tree sap on a pinecone.

6 And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None cover

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

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Ten strangers on an island; let’s just say things get interesting. It’s a classic whodunit without the ‘done it’ coming easy.

5 Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Big Little Lies cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Drama
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2014
  • Pages: 460

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A murder mystery with a side of suburban drama. It’s like Desperate Housewives solved a crime while drinking wine.

4 The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The Secret History cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 1992
  • Pages: 559

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Dark academia vibes mixed with murder. Who thought classics could be dangerous? It’s more thrilling than that pop quiz you didn’t study for.

3 Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson

Before I Go to Sleep cover

  • Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Psychological
  • Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook
  • Year released: 2011
  • Pages: 368

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Imagine waking up each morning with no memory. The suspense is as sharp as a morning coffee.

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

The No. 1 Ladies

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

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Solving mysteries in Botswana with humor and warmth. It’s a gentle mystery that feels like a warm hug.

1 The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

The Silent Patient cover

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

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We picked this as the best because it mixes psychology and mystery in a gripping way. The twist will swing at you like an unexpected piñata attack at a birthday party. Alicia Berenson doesn’t speak after her husband’s murder, and unraveling why is a puzzle that crawls under your skin. Writing flows like a stream through a peaceful valley, but tension climbs with every page turn. This book got us late night thinking of alibis for imaginary crimes we didn’t commit, while munching popcorn. It’s a mix of chilling and thrilling—perfect for any fan of good murder mysteries.

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!