9 Best Recommended Murder Mystery Books 2025 Reviewed
Looking for recommended murder mystery books? We’ve picked our favorite page-turners, full of twists and suspense, perfect for new mystery fans.
Let’s face it—everyone loves a good whodunit. If you’ve ever found yourself up at 2 a.m. wondering who did it, then our list of the 9 best recommended murder mystery books is for you. We’ve picked books with great twists, clever detectives, and enough clues to make you feel like a genius… or at least convince your dog you are. When picking these recommended murder mystery books, we looked for stories that kept us guessing, made us laugh, and even threw us for a loop a time or two. Whether you want classic chills, modern puzzles, or a bit of both, we’ve got you covered.
On this list:
9 The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
This classic from our list of recommended murder mystery books is set in a sleepy retirement village. Our friends laughed so much at the clever old folks solving crimes while poking fun at each other. The plot’s sharp, but easy to follow — perfect for beginners.
8 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
A staple for recommended murder mystery books fans, this one grabs you right away. Dark, mysterious, and very Swedish. We stayed up way too late, blaming the eerie setting for our sleeplessness and snacking habits.
7 Still Life by Louise Penny
For small-town drama with a side of murder, this is a gem among recommended murder mystery books. We argued about the killer until the last page, and only one of us guessed right. The food descriptions made us hungry, too.
6 The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
This book is like sunshine with murder sprinkled in. The Botswana setting is a refreshing break from gloomy towns. The mysteries are gentle — think more about pies and less about blood. It’s a must for our list of recommended murder mystery books.
5 The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling)
Addictive and twisty! This entry on our recommended murder mystery books list impressed everyone. The flawed detective and believable suspects kept us guessing — and sometimes yelling at the book. We agreed the ending was a real punch.
4 In the Woods by Tana French
For those who like psychological drama in their recommended murder mystery books, this is it. Haunting prose, emotional twists, and a mystery that’s actually mysterious. Not everyone liked the ending, though — fair warning.
3 One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
High school with murder! We devoured this in a weekend. It’s a top pick for recommended murder mystery books if you like a little romance with your secrets. Plus, you’ll feel smart if you solve it before the twist.
2 The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
Sherlock Holmes never gets old. This one is a classic for any list of recommended murder mystery books. We loved the spooky atmosphere, even if the dog didn’t actually give us nightmares. And yes, you’ll want tea.
1 And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
We voted, and this tops our recommended murder mystery books. It’s the gold standard for whodunits. Ten strangers, one creepy island, and suspense thicker than Steve’s grandma’s oatmeal. Every time we played ‘guess the killer’, someone lost a bet. It’s so clever, we almost wanted to read it twice — just to see what we missed. There are hardly any books that keep everyone hooked and arguing at the same time like this one does. It’s not gory, but the tension is tough! The clues are all there, but good luck catching them before the last page. If you want to start your murder mystery journey, or need the best for your club, pick this one. Trust us, you’ll be hooked from page one.
