15 Best Recommended Murder Mystery Books to Read 2025
Looking for recommended murder mystery books? Our team found thrilling picks perfect for new readers, packed with twists, suspense, and unforgettable whodunits.
Finding the perfect recommended murder mystery books can feel harder than figuring out who ate the last cookie in the jar (seriously, it was Bob). For this list, we focused on books that not only serve up clever whodunits and shocking twists, but also have rich characters, sharp writing, and enough suspense to keep us from sleeping (sorry, work meetings). These picks mix classic sleuths, modern thrillers, and some offbeat surprises—perfect for new readers looking to get hooked on the world of recommended murder mystery books.
On this list:
- The Thursday Murder Club
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
- The Silent Patient
- Stillhouse Lake
- One of Us Is Lying
- The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
- In the Woods
- The Maid
- The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
- Death on the Nile
- The Cuckoo’s Calling
- The Reversal
- Magpie Murders
- The Woman in the Window
- And Then There Were None
15 The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
We picked this because a group of old folks solving crimes in a retirement village is as fun as it sounds. The mix of humor and mystery kept our attention. This one’s for anyone who likes clever plots and tea with murder.
14 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
A classic in the recommended murder mystery books world. Suspense, dark secrets, and a hacker with attitude. We had a blast guessing who the bad guy was—plus, we felt smarter just holding it.
13 The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
If you like twists that slap you in the face, this is it. A woman shoots her husband, then stops talking. We joked we’d last five minutes before talking, but that mystery kept us up at night.
12 Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine
This is for thriller fans who think their neighbors are hiding bodies. It’s fast, tense, and had us checking our locks. Perfect for anyone wanting recommended murder mystery books with chills.
11 One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Breakfast Club with a murder twist. We argued for hours about which teen was guilty. It’s fun, fast, and just dramatic enough to make us wish for high school (almost).
10 The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
Set in Botswana, this charming mystery is filled with heart. We loved Precious Ramotswe’s style—she solves cases with brains and biscuits. Great for fans of warm, recommended murder mystery books.
9 In the Woods by Tana French
We picked this because it’s smart and spooky. A detective’s past comes crawling back while solving a child’s murder. The prose is top notch, even if we had to look up a word or two.
8 The Maid by Nita Prose
A hotel maid finds a dead guest and becomes the main suspect. We found Molly’s voice refreshing and unique. It’s a lighter entry in recommended murder mystery books, but still clever.
7 The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
Every day repeats, but in a different body. We nearly pulled out our hair, but couldn’t stop guessing. For fans who like brain teasers with their recommended murder mystery books.
6 Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
Classic Christie—Hercule Poirot solves a murder on a boat. One of our favorites for the tricky clues and the sunburn we got while trying to be detectives by the pool.
5 The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith
J.K. Rowling takes a break from wizards to bring us a P.I. with issues and London mysteries. We enjoyed the banter and the wild clues.
4 The Reversal by Michael Connelly
Detectives and lawyers team up. The legal twists made us grateful we only fight over board games. A solid pick for fans of legal recommended murder mystery books.
3 Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
A book within a book—double the mystery, double the fun. We spent more time discussing theories than actually reading. One for puzzle fans.
2 The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
What do you get when you mix wine, too many mystery novels, and a creepy neighbor? This. The suspense had us watching our own windows. Plus, it’s a page-turner.
1 And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
This one is the king (or queen) of recommended murder mystery books. Ten strangers, an island, and one of the most clever whodunits ever. We picked it as the best because it’s the gold standard. The book keeps you guessing with every chapter, making you question not only every character but even yourself (we started accusing each other halfway through). The clever clues, unique setting, and tight pacing are top notch. We still can’t agree who guessed the killer first, but there’s a reason this book is a classic—every murder mystery lover needs to read it at least once. It’s addictive, surprising, and even after plenty of re-reads, there’s always something new to spot. If you want to start with the best, this is the one.
