When discussing the best whodunit novels, there are a few novels that have to be mentioned. For those that aren’t too familiar with whodunit books, look no further. Keep reading for the three best whodunit novels of all time!
One of my favorite books to read are whodunit novels. The reader gets to play detective and solve the mystery before the end of the novel. While it sounds easy, these authors enjoy tricking you and making you go down the wrong path, But if you read enough mystery novels or the same books from one author, you will get better at not falling for these traps and correctly guess the murderer most of the time.
The love of mystery novels goes back centuries with classics such as the Sherlock Holmes books. But the Golden Age of Mystery ushered in a new era where we were spoiled with so many amazing mystery books. Whodunit books where in high demand as well as detective novels and many of the books that have come to define the genre come from this period.
The Three Best Whodunit Novels of All Time
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie - The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
And Then There Were None
Christie’s most popular work is And Then There Were None and for good reason. It is a fun murder mystery and the simplicity of it makes it easy to play detective. The novel is the best selling myster novel with over a 100 million copies sold and the sixth best selling novel in anylanaguage.
After the prior mentioned novel, which of Christie’s novels comes in second best? Many critics and fans would point to Murder on the Orient Express. As the title suggests, a murder takes place on a train and it considered as her best train murder mystery. It is no wonder that this novel as been adapted many times since its publication.
These two novels by Agatha Christie are must reads if you love whodunit books. And while it may be cliche to choose two books from Christie, she is known as the Queen of Mystery for a reason. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t other good whodunit books but I wouldn’t pick them before these two.
Arthur Conan Doyle
When Sir Arthur Conan Doyle killed off Sherlock Holmes, people in London mourned his death. They were angry at Doyle for killing such a beloved character which is why Doyle was forced to bring him back. While Doyle wrote other novels, fans only wanted Sherlock Holmes. His most popular novel is The Hound of the Baskervilles but they are all great reads. And once you know of Doyle’s dislike of Sherlock Holmes, it is hard not to notice it in the book and why he gets less priority than Watson in his own books.
Conclusion
These are the three best whodunit novels of all time that you should read. We know that having two by Christie feels like a bailout but can you argue that another whodunit novel is better than those two?
How many of these books have you read or plan to read? What other novels should have made the list? Let us know in the comments below!
I thought , “ Murder on the Orient Express “ was pathetic !
Why?
I agree!
The 39 Steps
I totally agree, And Then There were none is the very best mystery. In fact, I remember I stopped reading at the penultimate chapter when I thought the mystery had been slo Ed. Then while discussing it with my school friends, they said, No, that’s not the ending. You have to read the very last chapter to know who the killer is. Wow, it kept me in suspense till the very end
These are seminal, not best. Hound had massive inconsistencies and holes in the plot. Doyle and Christie influences many writers, but Doyle’s novels, in particular are not great in concept or writing. Hound is at a 9th grade level.
Ann Granger, Mitchell and Markby series, is just as good.
I read those and agree. I think TO Kill A Mockingbird should be added. It’s not a Agatha Christie bit it is a excellent book.
Political correctness is a slap in the face of common sense. The name of the first novel is “Ten Little (N-people)”.
The Miousetrap by Agatha Christie.
Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers.
The Virgin in The Ice by Ellis Peters.
Prisoner’s Base by Rex Stout.
Thanks!!!
The Name of the Rose.
The Dark Tower.
Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn
– a new classic for our time
The Talented Mr Ripley, Patricia Highsmith
– Highsmith is an elegant prose stylist as well as a mistress of the twist
A Great Deliverance (any of her books, really), Elizabeth George
-I continue to be amazed that an American woman can so adroitly capture not only the landscape and settings of Great Britain, but the British character as well. She crafts every sentence with unparalleled artistry.
I have read all 3. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd instead of And Then There Were None (Ten Little Indians-USA)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Long Goodbye. Raymond Chandler.
Good grief, please use spell check in your articles.
No Wilkie Collins? seems kinda suspect
I believe “A Time to Kill” by John Grisham is a great rendition of racism in the South in the 1950s. It also has a Sequel.
Must add “Murder of Roger Ackroyd” to this list.
You’ve hit three of my favorites!