25 Best Mystery Books of All Time (Must-Read Classics & Modern Thrillers)

If you are like me, then you are always looking for a good mystery book to read. But finding a great mystery novel is not easy. That is why we decided to make our list of the 25 best mystery books of all time. Keep reading to see which books made our list! 

There are a lot of mystery novels that are regarded as classics by critics and book lovers alike. By making this list of the 25 best mystery books of all-time, we are able to include many of our favorites. Some great novels will be left off or just didn’t make the cut but that’s just how it goes.

This list consists of new and old mystery novels that you should have heard of. Even if you haven’t read it, you have it in your to-read list. And if you haven’t, now is the best time to correct the mistake.

Some popular names that everyone should know are the Sherlock Holmes books as well as books by Agatha Christie. But there are others that are just as good if not better that are must reads. You can see the full list below!

25 Must Read Mystery Novels for Every Book Lover

• Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie  
• The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle 
• The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris  
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson  
• The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler  
• The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins  
• Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon  
• The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco  
• Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier 
• The Alienist by Caleb Carr  
• In the Woods by Tana French  
• The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett  
• Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown  
• The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith  
• The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey  
• Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane  
• Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty  
• The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides  
• One for the Money by Janet Evanovich  
• The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie  
• The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón  
• A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle  
• The Secret History by Donna Tartt  
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon  
• The Firm by John Grisham  

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie  

Agatha Christie is the queen of mystery for a reason and many of her novels have aged like fine wine. One of her best mystery novels has to be Murder on the Orient Express. When critics and readers both agree, there is not much else left to be said.

When a wealthy American passenger is found murdered aboard the luxurious Orient Express, detective Hercule Poirot is called upon to solve the case. Stranded by a snowstorm, the train becomes a closed circle of suspects, each with potential motives and secrets.

As Poirot interviews the passengers, he uncovers a complex and emotionally charged connection to the victim, leading to one of the most famous and unconventional conclusions in mystery fiction.

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle 

If you are making a list of the best mystery books of all time, then Sherlock Holmes has to make the list. This is the standout novel in the series and one I revisit often. Arthur Conan Doyle may have disliked Sherlock Holmes but over a century later, fans still adore him.

Set on the eerie moors of Devonshire, this classic Sherlock Holmes mystery follows Dr. Watson as he assists in protecting Sir Henry Baskerville from a supposed family curse involving a supernatural hound.

As Watson investigates the strange happenings at Baskerville Hall, he uncovers a web of secrets, deception, and fear tied to the Baskerville lineage. Meanwhile, Holmes works behind the scenes, ultimately revealing that the legend of the hound has a very human and calculated origin.

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris  

One of my favorite mystery and thriller novels has to be The Silence of the Lambs. It is a terror-filled novel about one of the most brilliant fictional series killers ever written. Hannibal has found his name immortalized which is impressive because that is a lot more difficult for a villain than a hero.

FBI trainee Clarice Starling is tasked with interviewing the brilliant but imprisoned cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter in hopes of gaining insight into another active murderer known as Buffalo Bill. As Lecter manipulates and psychologically probes Clarice, a tense and disturbing relationship forms between them.

The novel blends crime, horror, and psychological suspense as Clarice races against time to understand the mind of a killer and stop another before it’s too late.

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler  

The hardboiled fiction genre has come and gone and it has left us with some amazing novels. One of the standouts has to be The Big Sleep and you can see the influence of this novel on Hollywood and thrillers alike.

Private detective Philip Marlowe is hired by the wealthy General Sternwood to handle a blackmail case involving his troubled daughter. What begins as a straightforward job quickly spirals into a tangled web of crime, corruption, and murder in Los Angeles.

As Marlowe navigates dangerous encounters and morally ambiguous characters, he uncovers secrets that reveal the darker side of wealth and power, all while maintaining his own code of integrity.

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane  

The one thriller novel that I put above all others is Shutter Island. If it wasn’t for this novel, I wouldn’t be a fan of thrillers and wouldn’t have given them a chance. The writing, plot twists, and storytelling make this novel one of a kind.

U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels arrives at Ashecliffe Hospital, a remote institution for the criminally insane, to investigate the disappearance of a patient. As a storm traps him on the island, Teddy begins to suspect that the hospital staff may be hiding something sinister.

The deeper he digs, the more his own past and mental state come into question, leading to a shocking and mind-bending revelation that challenges everything he believes to be true.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides  

After reading many of the big name mystery and thriller novels on popular lists, I came across The Silent Patient and wanted to see if the hype was real. After reading it, I had to recommend this novel to everyone and had to reevaluate my list of favorite thrillers because this one is near the top without a doubt.

Alicia Berenson, a famous painter, shoots her husband and then stops speaking entirely, becoming a silent enigma. Psychotherapist Theo Faber becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind her silence and gaining her trust.

As Theo delves deeper into Alicia’s past, he uncovers hidden traumas and disturbing secrets, building toward a twist that recontextualizes the entire story and leaves a lasting impact.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt  

I can’t end this article without talking about one of the best mystery novels ever written in my opinion. The Secret History by Donna Tartt is a novel unlike any other, creating a genre of its own as a result.

This literary thriller follows a group of elite college students studying classics under a charismatic professor at a small New England college. Drawn together by intellectual ambition and isolation, the group becomes entangled in a dangerous experiment that leads to murder.

Narrated by outsider Richard Papen, the novel explores themes of morality, obsession, and the consequences of living outside societal norms, revealing how privilege and intellect can mask darker impulses.

Conclusion 

Every best mystery list has to include Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle. The Sherlock Holmes books are timeless and still hold up over a century later. And there is not much to say about Agatha Christie, the bestselling author ever.

That is all for this list of the 25 best mystery books of all time. The mystery genre has too many amazing books but these are the 25 that stood out the most. This is just our opinion and we know that many amazing books unfortunately had to be left out.

What books from this list have you read or plan to read? Which mystery books should we have included on this list? Let us know in the comments below. Until next time, happy reading!

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