When you want to get lost in a good novel that engages with you, nothing is better than a whodunit novel. And while it has been defined by two authors, there have been many other authors that have written novels. Keep reading to find out the 15 best whodunit novels of all time!
There is nothing that compares to a great whodunit novels. You gets to play detective and solve the mystery before the protagonist reveals the criminal and how it was done. While it sounds easy, these authors enjoy making you change your guesses often.
That doesn’t stop us from loving these books. Everyone is familiar with Sherlock Holmes and since his first appearance, detective novels have thrived. You can see the full list below!
The 15 Best Whodunit Novels of All Time
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
- The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
- Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
- The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Guest List by Lucy Foley
- The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
- Leave No Trace by Jo Callaghan
- The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
- Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
- The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
- The Thursday Murder by Richard Osman
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
- In the Woods by Tana French
- The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie mastered writing whodunit novels and is regarded as the queen of mystery for a reason. Three of her novels made this list but the one that she is most famous for is And Then There Were None. It has sold over a 100 million copies since publication and is a big reason in making Agatha Christie as the highest selling author of all time.
Ten strangers are invited to a secluded island, only to discover they are being accused of past crimes. One by one, they begin to die in ways that mirror a chilling nursery rhyme. With no way to escape and trust quickly fading, the survivors must uncover the killer before it’s too late. This is one of Christie’s most famous and cleverly constructed mysteries.
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
When Sir Arthur Conan Doyle killed off Sherlock Holmes, the public 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.
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate the legend of a supernatural hound said to haunt the Baskerville family. When Sir Charles Baskerville dies under mysterious circumstances, Holmes is called in to protect the next heir. Set against the eerie backdrop of the English moors, the case blends logic with gothic suspense.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
When The Girl on the Train was released in 2015, it went viral and was all that everyone was talking about. Some thriller novels capture the public’s attention and become the template for many books in that genre for the next few years. This novel is the epitome of a book that you can’t put down until the last page.
Rachel becomes obsessed with a seemingly perfect couple she watches during her daily train commute. When the woman goes missing, Rachel inserts herself into the investigation despite her unreliable memory and personal struggles. As secrets unravel, the truth proves far more complicated than it first appears.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
The Silent Patient might have one of the best plot twists of a thriller novel that I recently read. When I say I want a thriller novel that will make my jaw drop, I am talking about novels just like this. This novel is on many best thriller of all time lists and only after reading it will you understand why!
Alicia Berenson shoots her husband and then stops speaking entirely, leaving her motives a mystery. Psychotherapist Theo Faber is determined to uncover the truth behind her silence. As he digs deeper, shocking revelations come to light that change everything.
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
An underrated whodunnit novel that has become mainstream because of Amazon is The Paris Apartment. While we all agree that Amazon has hurt independent bookstores, it has also made it easier for authors to reach a broader auidence. Some books like this one have benefitted and untimately become fan favorites because of the quality of the work.
Jess arrives in Paris to stay with her brother, only to find his apartment empty. As she searches for answers, she uncovers secrets about the building’s mysterious residents. Each neighbor has something to hide, and the truth becomes more dangerous the closer she gets to it.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
While And Then There Were None is Christie’s most seccessfull and well known novel, the one that many critics point to her best work is The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. And after having read it, it is hard to disagree with that statement. This feels like a novel that could have been written a couple of decades ago and is engaging from the first page to the last.
When wealthy Roger Ackroyd is murdered, Hercule Poirot comes out of retirement to solve the case. The investigation uncovers secrets, lies, and unexpected motives among the small village’s residents. Known for its groundbreaking twist, this novel is one of Christie’s most celebrated works.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
The thriller genre has changed a lot over the past few years and one novel that captures that is Gone Girl. Novels like this one are what people are gravitating towards and with storytelling like this, you can’t really blame them.
Nick Dunne becomes the prime suspect when his wife Amy suddenly disappears. As the investigation unfolds, their seemingly perfect marriage is revealed to be full of lies and manipulation. With alternating perspectives, the story keeps readers guessing until its shocking conclusion.
In the Woods by Tana French
Whenever I want a chiling thrilling novel, I always turn to Tana French. Her novels are one of a kind and will shake you to your bones. You won’t be getting a good night’s sleep after reading In The Woods or any novel written by her so tread carefully.
Detective Rob Ryan investigates the murder of a young girl in a small Irish town, a case that eerily mirrors a traumatic event from his childhood. As the investigation progresses, his past begins to resurface, complicating both the case and his mental state. The novel combines a gripping mystery with deep psychological insight.
The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
In a genre that is always pushing the borders of what is conventionial, Anthony Horowitz is a trendsetter. What author puts himself in a novel and it doesn’t feel out of place? His storytelling and twists are some of the best out there and always a delightful treat for any reader.
When a woman plans her own funeral and is murdered shortly after, the case draws in detective Daniel Hawthorne and author Anthony Horowitz himself. Blurring the lines between fiction and reality, the novel follows their investigation into a puzzling crime. It’s a clever and unique take on the traditional detective story.
Authors Pushing the Genre Forward
These are tons of authors in the subgenre and many are pushing the genre to new heights. Ruth Ware is someone that has made a name for herself and someone whose novel I am always excited to read. Tana French and Anthony Horowitz are two authors that always deliver with every novel.
And you can’t forget the authors that have shaped the genre and inspired the authors mentioned. Agatha Christie is called the queen of msytery for a reason and her template is used in hundreds if not thousands of whodunnit novels. And Sherlock Holmes doesn’t need any introductions.
Conclusion
That wraps up out list of the 15 best whodunit novels of all time that you should read. 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. Until next time, happy reading!
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Has no one ever read Charlotte Armstrong?
I Hate in the woods! Figured out the murderer in chapter 2 and the bizarre background red herring that is never explained was a cheap trick to keep the reader interested. I don’t understand this writers popularity. At All!!
That’s how I feel about Girl on the Train. So predictable with a character that really annoyed me.
Erle Stanley Gardner was the world’s best selling author for many, many years. And not even Perry Mason book by him?
You’ve mentioned one book twice and given one an incorrect title. Not a great list either.
Wow! The Word is Murder must be really good for it to get two mentions.
You really should add “In my opinion” – no less than three Agatha Christie titles and The Word is Murder twice?
As for “The woman in cabin 10” which is solved when the heroine, after being chased for hours, dives off the ship in the North Sea (have you ever swum in the North Sea?) swims a mile or so, climbs an enormous line of steps to the dockside (in Sweden I think it is) and later runs a couple of miles, barefoot, it was laughable
One book is mentioned twice. Any reason?
What about Canadian author Louise Penny? She has an amazing series of murder mysteries!
You forgot dozens of of other great novelists such as Edgar Wallace, George Simenon, Josephine Tey, Austin Freeman, Dorothy Sayers, Dame Ngaio Marsh, Erle Stanley Gardner, Freeman Wills Crofts, Mary Roberts Rinehart and Patricia Highsmith, just to name a few!
Definitely one reader’s opinion, not a dispassionate impartial list.
A. Christie 3 times? One book twice? Really?
Personally, though Christie may be a fun read, I’ve never found her that extraordinary. On the other hand, I’d perhaps have put some of the Josephine Tey books featuring her recurring detective, Alan Grant, or even one or two great Dick Francis whodunnit…
No Dashiel Hammett, Raymond Chandler or Ross MacDonald
All I can figure is either the person who compiled the list hasn’t read very widely, or the article is compiled from prompts to an AI. Val McDermid, Kate Atkinson, Sue Grafton, and on and on. Doyle wrote at a ninth grade level and had a potentially strong character, but his amazing skills weren’t shown in action. Christie was a loner, but her novels are best read by the mid-teen years. Osman brings obvious Brit humor to the page, along with too many characters and poor plotting.
Another promotion of books by Ahaqir…
I love books, I love reading, I enjoy learning about new books. I enjoy lists…however, Ahaqir seems to “write” about the same books again and again. Same list again and again. Same topics…you get the idea. At this point, If the author of an article is Ahaqir, I know the list will have mostly old favorites with no real review of any of the books…and the same books make their way from different lists. So I just avoid reading all of his “reviews”.
Three Agatha Christie books? Why list four?
What about the Scandinavian writers?