11 Best Recommended Murder Mystery Books 2025 Review

Discover the top recommended murder mystery books that'll keep you guessing. From classic whodunits to thrilling page-turners, there's something for everyone!

Gone Girl coverThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo cover

Who’s ready for a spine-tingling adventure? We’ve hunted down the top 11 recommended murder mystery books and boy, are they thrilling! While creating this list, we focused on gripping plots, unexpected twists, and unforgettable characters. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned mystery lover, these picks promise suspense and intrigue. So, grab your magnifying glass, put on your detective hat, and get ready for some thrilling reads!

On this list:

11 Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl cover

  • Genre: Thriller
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardback, Ebook
  • Year released: 2012
  • Pages: 432

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

A tale of a missing wife and a husband who’s either a victim or suspect. Twists had us spinning like a top!

10 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo cover

  • Genre: Crime, Mystery
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardback, Ebook
  • Year released: 2005
  • Pages: 465

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

We loved the mix of mystery with a tech-savvy twist and a hella interesting protagonist.

9 The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)

  • Genre: Crime, Mystery
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardback, Ebook
  • Year released: 2013
  • Pages: 464

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

The famous Rowling brought her magic to mystery under a pseudonym. Our wee detective minds were enchanted.

8 Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Big Little Lies cover

  • Genre: Mystery
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardback, Ebook
  • Year released: 2014
  • Pages: 460

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Spunky and mysterious, this book weaves a tale that makes suburban life anything but mundane.

7 In the Woods by Tana French

In the Woods cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardback, Ebook
  • Year released: 2007
  • Pages: 429

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Detective duo with past traumas makes for a thrilling narrative. We couldn’t put it down even if we tried!

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

The No. 1 Ladies

  • Genre: Mystery, Detective
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardback, Ebook
  • Year released: 1998
  • Pages: 235

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

This book takes us on a thrilling journey to Botswana, following a clever detective with a heart.

5 The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The Secret History cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardback, Ebook
  • Year released: 1992
  • Pages: 559

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

A fascinating look into academic life mixed with murder. Had us wishing we’d gone to such an exciting college!

4 The Alienist by Caleb Carr

The Alienist cover

  • Genre: Historical Mystery
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardback, Ebook
  • Year released: 1994
  • Pages: 498

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Not just another detective story—this one’s got a historical twist. The suspense was like a tightrope walk!

3 The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Crime
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardback, Ebook
  • Year released: 2009
  • Pages: 374

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

A charming young lady solves an engaging mystery in an English village. Brought back memories of Nancy Drew.

2 Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Sharp Objects cover

  • Genre: Thriller, Mystery
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardback, Ebook
  • Year released: 2006
  • Pages: 328

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Flynn does it again! A dark, psychological mystery that played with our minds as much as the characters.

1 And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

And Then There Were None cover

  • Genre: Mystery, Crime
  • Formats: Paperback, Hardback, Ebook
  • Year released: 1939
  • Pages: 272

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

This masterpiece is our top pick for its intriguing plot and mind-blowing twists! Published in 1939, it remains a classic of the genre. Ten strangers on an island, each with a secret to hide. They are picked off one by one like characters in a sinister nursery rhyme. Just imagine a whodunit so intense it gives you a workout! We all flipped through pages anxiously, trying to outwit the great Christie herself. It’s the ultimate game of cat and mouse with a twist that had us staring at the wall in disbelief. For fans of recommended murder mystery books, it’s a must-read!

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!