6 Best Good Murder Mystery Books of 2025 Reviewed
Looking for good murder mystery books? Here are our top picks, each full of twists, suspense, and clues for sharp readers.
Finding good murder mystery books can feel like solving a case with no clues. We know picking the wrong one means wasted time, like a detective stuck on paperwork. So, we hunted for stories with sharp twists, fun characters, and suspense that kept us up late (sometimes with the lights on). Our top picks are books we loved reading with friends, and not just because we were trying to guess ‘whodunit’ before anyone else. If you want good murder mystery books that are smart, fun, and full of surprises, you’re in the right spot.
On this list:
6 The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
This book is about a bunch of retirees solving crime in a sleepy British village. We loved it because it’s smart, funny, and not too gloomy. It’s like Murder She Wrote, but with more tea and biscuits. The twists kept us guessing, and we even tried to beat the club at solving the case. We failed. Miserably.
5 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
A good murder mystery book with Swedish flavor and a punk hacker who could out-Google any of us. The story is juicy, dark, and full of twists. Honestly, we argued over theories more than we argued over pizza toppings.
4 Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
We picked this one because it’s a twisted game of cat-and-mouse between a husband and wife. The plot is so full of surprises, one of our friends almost had a heart attack on page 300. Very suspenseful and a bit disturbing, but, boy, is it good.
3 Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine
A plot about a woman on the run from her serial killer ex-husband. We tried to read this one late at night but regretted it when the wind made weird noises. The suspense does not let up. And there are lots of sequels if you get hooked.
2 The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith
Rich, classic detective fiction with a modern twist. The private eye, Strike, is a total legend—grumpy, smart, and always several steps ahead. We recommend this if you want old-school ‘good murder mystery books’ vibes with fresh characters.
1 And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Let’s be honest: you can’t beat the queen of ‘good murder mystery books.’ This classic is a must-read. Ten strangers trapped on an island, each with a dark secret, and one by one they start dying. We picked this as the best because it has all the things we look for in murder mystery books: big suspense, clever plot, fair clues, and a finish that we could not guess—no matter how many times we reread pages. Christie’s simple but crazy effective style makes it easy for anyone to get hooked fast. Plus, you get to feel like a world-class detective, even if you still forget where you left your keys. The only con? It will ruin all other mysteries for you, because this one does it so well.
