Start with Murder on the Orient Express for a classic puzzle, The Thursday Murder Club for a warm amateur sleuth story, or The Devotion of Suspect X for a tense battle of deduction. Each book below puts an investigator, detective or group of sleuths at the center of the case.
I enjoy both whodunits and darker mysteries, so this list ranges from Poirot and Holmes to modern investigative fiction. The selections are books to read in 2026, not books published in 2026. I chose them for a memorable investigation and a distinct reading experience; the “best for” guide below makes it easier to pick your first case.
10 Detective Novels to Read in 2026
- Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
- The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
- The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino
- The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
- Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
- The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
- In the Woods by Tana French
- The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith
Which Detective Novel Should You Read First?
| Book | Best for |
|---|---|
| Murder on the Orient Express | Closed-circle puzzle |
| The Hound of the Baskervilles | Gothic Sherlock Holmes case |
| The Thursday Murder Club | Warm amateur sleuths |
| The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo | Dark investigative thriller |
| The Devotion of Suspect X | Battle of deduction |
| The Big Sleep | Hardboiled private eye |
| Magpie Murders | Mystery within a mystery |
| The Name of the Rose | Historical investigation |
| In the Woods | Atmospheric police procedural |
| The Cuckoo’s Calling | Contemporary private eye |
1. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie remains one of the most influential mystery writers ever. I discuss the clues and ending in my review of Murder on the Orient Express.
Detective Hercule Poirot boards the famous Orient Express expecting a routine journey. Instead, a passenger is murdered during the night while the train remains trapped in snow. Since nobody could leave the train, the killer must still be among the passengers.
Poirot begins questioning everyone on board and quickly discovers that nearly every suspect appears to be hiding something.
Christie’s genius lies in constructing mysteries that feel impossible until the solution becomes clear.
Why you should read it in 2026:
- One of literature’s greatest mystery endings
- A perfect introduction to Hercule Poirot
- Clever clues and unforgettable twists
- Timeless storytelling
2. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
No detective list is complete without Sherlock Holmes.
In this classic novel, Holmes investigates the mysterious curse surrounding the Baskerville family. A terrifying legend claims a supernatural hound hunts family members across the dark English moors.
As Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate, they must determine whether the threat is supernatural or entirely human.
The novel combines detective fiction with gothic atmosphere and suspense.
Why you should read it in 2026:
- Features Sherlock Holmes at his best
- Strong mystery and horror elements
- Highly accessible for modern readers
- One of the most influential detective stories ever written
3. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Four friends at a retirement village meet to examine old unsolved cases. When a local developer is murdered, they have a live investigation on their hands. The quartet’s different skills and the book’s warmth make this a friendly entry point to detective fiction.
Choose this if you want humor, friendships and amateur investigators. The publisher’s description introduces the four sleuths and their first case.
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Modern detective fiction changed significantly with Stieg Larsson’s bestselling novel.
Journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander investigate a disappearance connected to a wealthy family with disturbing secrets.
Lisbeth quickly became one of contemporary fiction’s most memorable characters due to her intelligence and complexity.
Why you should read it in 2026:
- Outstanding modern detective story
- Complex and fascinating characters
- Dark psychological elements
- Engaging investigative mystery
5. The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino
Detective Kusanagi investigates a death, while physicist Manabu Yukawa begins to suspect that a gifted mathematician has engineered a near-perfect cover-up. The reader knows more than the police early on, yet the real puzzle is how the deception works.
Choose this for a meticulous contest of logic with an emotional cost. Macmillan’s book page identifies it as a Detective Galileo mystery and describes Kusanagi and Yukawa’s roles.
6. The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
Raymond Chandler helped establish hard-boiled detective fiction. My review of The Big Sleep discusses the appeal of Marlowe’s noir world.
Private investigator Philip Marlowe becomes involved with the wealthy Sternwood family and soon finds himself surrounded by blackmail, deception, and murder.
Unlike traditional detective stories focused entirely on puzzles, Chandler emphasizes atmosphere and character.
Marlowe remains one of fiction’s most iconic detectives.
Why you should read it in 2026:
- Introduced classic noir detective style
- Sharp dialogue
- Memorable detective character
- Essential crime fiction reading
7. Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
Editor Susan Ryeland reads a manuscript starring the fictional detective Atticus Pünd. The mystery inside that manuscript begins to matter to a second investigation in Susan’s world. It rewards readers who like looking for clues in the story itself.
Choose this for two interlocking puzzles and a playful take on classic detective novels. Horowitz’s book page introduces Susan and Atticus Pünd.
8. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
This novel combines detective fiction with historical storytelling.
Set in a fourteenth-century monastery, the story follows Franciscan friar William of Baskerville as he investigates a series of mysterious deaths.
The setting creates a fascinating backdrop for a complex mystery involving religion, philosophy, and hidden knowledge.
Why you should read it in 2026:
- Unique historical setting
- Rich world-building
- Intelligent mystery structure
- Different from traditional detective novels
9. In the Woods by Tana French
Tana French became known for creating emotionally complex detective stories.
Detective Rob Ryan investigates the murder of a young girl, but the case resembles a traumatic event from his own childhood.
The investigation forces him to confront memories he has spent years avoiding.
French focuses heavily on character psychology and emotional depth.
Why you should read it in 2026:
- Strong emotional storytelling
- Rich detective character development
- Atmospheric writing
- Suspenseful mystery
10. The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith
Published under J.K. Rowling’s pseudonym Robert Galbraith, this novel introduced private investigator Cormoran Strike.
Strike investigates the apparent suicide of a famous model after her brother believes the official explanation is wrong.
As he digs deeper into celebrity culture and hidden relationships, the mystery becomes increasingly dangerous.
Why you should read it in 2026:
- Excellent detective partnership
- Strong mystery pacing
- Modern investigative style
- Start of a popular series
Why Detective Fiction Continues to Dominate Reading Lists
Detective stories continue thriving because they create an experience unlike any other genre. Readers become participants rather than observers. Every chapter offers clues and raises new questions.
Detective novels often succeed because they balance multiple elements:
- Suspense that keeps readers turning pages
- Complex characters with hidden motives
- Surprising twists
- Intellectual challenges
- Emotional investment
Modern detective fiction also continues evolving. Today’s mysteries frequently incorporate psychological themes, technology, social commentary, and deeper character exploration.
At the same time, classic detective stories remain popular because great mysteries never lose their power.
Sherlock Holmes still fascinates readers. Hercule Poirot continues solving impossible crimes. Contemporary investigators introduce fresh perspectives while building on traditions established decades earlier.
Final Thoughts
The best detective novels stay with readers long after the mystery has been solved. They create memorable investigators, unforgettable twists, and stories that reward attention and curiosity.
For a classic puzzle, start with Murder on the Orient Express. For a gentler case, try The Thursday Murder Club. For a darker investigation, choose The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo or In the Woods.
If you want your reading list for 2026 to include suspense, intelligence, and stories that make it impossible to stop turning pages, these books are excellent places to start.
Just don’t expect to sleep early once you begin.
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I spent four week In Stockholm several years ago, and on my first day, I went into a bookstore with a mission: buy four novels by Swedish novels in English translation. My goal was to read one novel per year. In the end, I only got halfway through the first novel, “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”. I actually used the novel as inspiration for the places I would explore. I finished the novel after I got home, and set out to read the remaining novels in the series. I can’t remember the name of the second novel, but it was very good. If I remember correctly, Larrson only finished four novels before he died, and then someone else set out to finish the series. I still have “the Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye,” by David Lagercrantz” sitting unread on my bookshelf. He is the author who set out to continue the series. I read one more detective novel by a Swedish author, but I can’t remember his name. But it, too, was very dark. The third Swedish author I was introduced to at the bookstore was Jonas Jonasson, who wrote “The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared.” A TOTALLY different kind of novel! I absolutely loved it! I read his second novel, “Hitman Anders and the Meaning of It All .” Another very amusing read. I see he has now finished five more novels. As for the fourth Swedish author I was introduced to, I can’t remember his name. The book must he collecting dust somewhere on my cluttered bookshelves.