Best Mystery and Thriller Books: Whodunits and Page-Turners
Mysteries ask who did it, thrillers ask whether the hero will survive. This list brings together detective novels, cozy puzzles and darker suspense from our catalog.
It is for readers who want a book they cannot put down. Books are ordered by reader interest. Each has a one-line hook and a note on what you get.
Best for: Readers who want clues, suspense and a satisfying ending.
- Scope
- Books in our catalog with this genre.
- Order
- By reader interest (Open Library want-to-read counts), then newest first. Not a quality ranking.
116 books
2003The Da Vinci CodeDan Brown
Mystery & Thriller · TenseA murder at the Louvre
What you get: A fast, clever chase through museums and cathedrals, with codes to crack in every chapter. Short chapters keep the pace brisk, and every one ends on a hook.
2018Where the Crawdads SingDelia OwensMystery & Thriller · MelancholicA girl raised alone in a North Carolina marsh is accused of murder
What you get: A lyrical story set in the marshes of North Carolina, with a heroine whose resilience stays with you. It blends nature, romance and mystery in a gorgeous, immersive setting.
- And Then There Were None1939And Then There Were NoneAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · Dark
Ten strangers on an island are killed one by one
What you get: A beautifully plotted puzzle that gives you clues and keeps you guessing right up to the end. The best-selling mystery of all time is a pure pleasure for puzzle lovers.
1934Murder on the Orient ExpressAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulMurder in a snowbound carriage
What you get: A classic puzzle on a snowbound train, with a brilliant detective and a solution that is a joy to discover. It is clever, quick and elegantly told.
- Angels & Demons2000Angels & DemonsDan BrownMystery & Thriller · Tense
A symbologist races to stop a threat to the Vatican
What you get: A race against time through Rome with codes, secrets and cliffhangers at every turn. Perfect when you want a story that keeps pulling you forward.
2012Gone GirlGillian FlynnMystery & Thriller · DarkA wife vanishes, and her husband becomes the main suspect
What you get: A sharp, twisty thriller that grips you from the first chapters and keeps surprising you. It is a perfect pick for a book club that loves to debate and theorize.
1936The A.B.C. MurdersAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · TenseA killer who sends letters in alphabetical order
What you get: A cleverly structured mystery with a bold concept and a satisfying reveal. You feel your mind working along with Poirot from page to page.
1969The GodfatherMario PuzoMystery & Thriller · DarkThe rise and burden of a Sicilian-American crime family
What you get: The pull of a richly drawn world where family and honor shape every move. You get iconic characters and the pleasure of a masterfully told story.
1926The Murder of Roger AckroydAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA famous twist that changed the genre
What you get: A famous puzzle with a twist that readers still talk about. You get the joy of matching wits with Poirot and an ending that makes you smile with admiration.
1937Death on the NileAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA honeymoon cruise on the Nile
What you get: Sun, jewels, jealousy and a puzzle that falls into place with elegance. Like a holiday with a thrilling secret on board.
1988The Silence of the LambsThomas HarrisMystery & Thriller · DarkA young agent and a cannibal
What you get: A tense, expertly crafted thriller featuring one of fiction's most iconic duos. It pulls you in fast and keeps your attention to the last page.
2009The Lost SymbolDan BrownMystery & Thriller · TenseLangdon in Washington, D.C.
What you get: A fast chase through secrets and symbols that keeps pages turning.
1920The Mysterious Affair at StylesAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · LightThe first Poirot novel
What you get: A classic country-house puzzle where you can play detective alongside a new favorite.
2015The Girl on the TrainPaula HawkinsMystery & Thriller · DarkA commuter sees something from the window of her train
What you get: A quick, absorbing mystery told by several voices, with puzzle pieces that click into place. It keeps you reading well past the point where you meant to stop.
1902The Hound of the BaskervillesArthur Conan DoyleMystery & Thriller · TenseA spectral hound on the Devon moors
What you get: A moody, suspenseful case with Holmes and Watson at their best. The misty moors and a legend of a hound make it a cozy, exciting read.
1981Red DragonThomas HarrisMystery & Thriller · DarkThe first Hannibal Lecter novel
What you get: A tense, atmospheric story of pursuit that keeps you on edge to the last page.
2013InfernoDan BrownMystery & Thriller · TenseA trail through Florence
What you get: A quick, cliffhanger-driven chase through art and history.
2017OriginDan BrownMystery & Thriller · TenseTechnology and religion
What you get: A quick, clever page-turner with modern themes.
1887A Study in ScarletArthur Conan DoyleMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulThe first appearance of Sherlock Holmes
What you get: The fun of watching a brilliant detective at work for the first time, with clever deduction, Victorian atmosphere and a story that opens the door to the whole canon.
1905The Return of Sherlock HolmesArthur Conan DoyleMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulHolmes returns after three years
What you get: Satisfying, varied stories with warm nostalgia and clever solutions.
1928The Mystery of the Blue TrainAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · LightA murder on a luxury train to the Riviera
What you get: A fun, stylish mystery full of clues, jewels and Poirot at work.
1974JawsPeter BenchleyMystery & Thriller · TenseA great white shark terrorises a summer resort town
What you get: A tense, atmospheric story that makes the water feel full of secrets. It delivers classic suspense and strong characters under pressure.
1927The Case-Book of Sherlock HolmesArthur Conan DoyleMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulThe final Holmes stories
What you get: A rich final set of stories with plenty of surprises.
1953After the FuneralAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulThe family gathers after a funeral
What you get: A clever, twisty puzzle that starts with one surprising remark.
2005No Country for Old MenCormac McCarthyMystery & Thriller · DarkA man finds a bag of money and a killer follows him
What you get: A stripped-down, edge-of-your-seat chase with memorable characters and a thoughtful voice. It rewards you with atmosphere and suspense.
1991The FirmJohn GrishamMystery & Thriller · TenseA young lawyer discovers his dream job has a deadly secret
What you get: A quick, gripping page-turner that makes you want to keep reading until the end.
2020The Thursday Murder ClubRichard OsmanMystery & Thriller · LightFour retirees solve cold cases
What you get: A funny, warm mystery with a lovable crew of amateur sleuths. It is cozy, clever and full of heart, and it is perfect for a relaxed, easy read.
- The Hunt for Red October1984The Hunt for Red OctoberTom ClancyMystery & Thriller · Tense
A Soviet submarine captain may be defecting, or starting a war
What you get: A gripping cat-and-mouse chase beneath the sea, packed with authentic detail and rising tension.
1922The Secret AdversaryAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · LightTwo young friends start a detective agency
What you get: A light, fast, witty romp with a pair of cheerful young sleuths.
1939The Big SleepRaymond ChandlerMystery & Thriller · DarkPhilip Marlowe is hired by a dying general to deal with a blackmailer
What you get: Witty, atmospheric and full of twists, with a classic detective voice.
1963The Spy Who Came in from the ColdJohn le CarréMystery & Thriller · MelancholicA burned-out British agent takes one last assignment in East Germany
What you get: A tense, brilliant story of deception that grips you with its cleverness and atmosphere.
1942Five Little PigsAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · MelancholicA murder reconstructed from five accounts
What you get: A beautifully built story that reconstructs an old case through memory.
1927The Big FourAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · TensePoirot against an international conspiracy
What you get: A lively puzzle full of twists.
1969Hallowe’en PartyAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · DarkA teenager is killed at a Halloween party
What you get: A spooky, atmospheric puzzle perfect for October.
1938Hercule Poirot’s ChristmasAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA locked-room murder at a family Christmas
What you get: A seasonal, cozy mystery with a classic locked-room feel.
2003Shutter IslandDennis LehaneMystery & Thriller · DarkA US Marshal investigates a missing patient at an island asylum
What you get: A tense, atmospheric puzzle with a shocking turn you will talk about.
1941Evil Under the SunAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · LightA glamorous seaside resort and a body on the beach
What you get: A glamorous, clever puzzle on a beach, perfect for a summer read.
- The Valley of Fear1915The Valley of FearArthur Conan DoyleMystery & Thriller · Thoughtful
Holmes’s last novel, split between two places
What you get: A gripping story that blends a clever puzzle with a dramatic background.
1955The Talented Mr. RipleyPatricia HighsmithMystery & Thriller · DarkA young man takes the place of a rich friend
What you get: A stylish, tense story set on sunny Italian shores that keeps you on edge.
1938Appointment with DeathAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA murder in the desert at Petra
What you get: An atmospheric and cleverly plotted mystery in an exotic location.
1935Death in the CloudsAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · LightA murder on a plane, and a blowpipe
What you get: An inventive puzzle set high above the Channel with surprising clues.
1933Lord Edgware DiesAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · LightAn actress is found dead, and everyone has an alibi
What you get: A smart, well-turned mystery with society and stage in the mix.
1999HannibalThomas HarrisMystery & Thriller · DarkLecter on the run
What you get: A gripping, stylish story with a magnetic, unsettling character.
- Casino Royale1953Casino RoyaleIan FlemingMystery & Thriller · Tense
James Bond’s first mission: to bankrupt a Soviet agent at the baccarat table
What you get: A sleek, fast spy story with glamour, danger and a famous hero at his first big test.
1932Peril at End HouseAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · LightA young woman has too many narrow escapes
What you get: A neat, enjoyable puzzle that keeps you guessing.
1936Murder in MesopotamiaAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulAn archaeological dig and a poisonous atmosphere
What you get: An atmospheric, clever mystery on a dig, written with the author's insider knowledge.
1923Whose Body?Dorothy L. SayersMystery & Thriller · LightA body in a bath with a pince-nez
What you get: A witty, quick puzzle full of period charm and a delightful sleuth.
1946The HollowAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA weekend gathering ends in a shooting
What you get: A well-drawn, psychologically rich mystery with a strong cast.
1987Presumed InnocentScott TurowMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA prosecutor is accused of murdering his colleague
What you get: A smart, tense legal thriller with a twist you will remember.
1975Curtain: Poirot’s Last CaseAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · MelancholicPoirot’s final case
What you get: A moving, clever farewell that brings the story full circle.
2013The Cuckoo’s CallingRobert GalbraithMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA model’s fall and a one-legged detective
What you get: A satisfying, character-driven mystery set in London, with a detective you quickly come to care about and a well-hidden solution.
1972Elephants Can RememberAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · MelancholicAn old case remembered by guests
What you get: A thoughtful, gentle puzzle of the past.
1936Cards on the TableAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulFour bridge players and one murder
What you get: A clever, tidy puzzle that invites you to play along.
1998The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective AgencyAlexander McCall SmithMystery & Thriller · WarmA woman opens a detective agency in Botswana
What you get: A cozy, uplifting series start with a heroine you will love and a sunny setting.
1980The Bourne IdentityRobert LudlumMystery & Thriller · TenseA man with no memory and a lethal skill set
What you get: A pulse-raising chase across Europe with a gripping question at its core: who am I? Smart, tense and hard to put down.
1963The ClocksAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA body in a stranger’s sitting room
What you get: A quirky, entertaining case with a strange start.
1940One, Two, Buckle My ShoeAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · LightA dentist is found dead
What you get: A quick, clever puzzle that starts at the dentist's office.
- 2006Hannibal RisingThomas HarrisMystery & Thriller · Dark
The origin of Hannibal Lecter
What you get: A chilling, stylish look at how a legend began.
1974Tinker Tailor Soldier SpyJohn le CarréMystery & Thriller · MelancholicA retired spy hunts for a Soviet mole at the top of British intelligence
What you get: A patient, rewarding hunt for a hidden traitor, full of atmosphere and sharp characters.
1966Third GirlAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA young woman believes she may have committed a murder
What you get: A cleverly built story with an interesting heroine.
1952Mrs McGinty’s DeadAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · LightA cleaning woman and a newspaper cutting
What you get: A cozy, well-made puzzle with a good solution.
1937Dumb WitnessAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · LightA dog’s letter and a dead spinster
What you get: A charming, tidy puzzle built on a letter.
- The Nine Tailors1934The Nine TailorsDorothy L. SayersMystery & Thriller · Thoughtful
Bells and a body in a Fenland church
What you get: A richly atmospheric puzzle with a surprising twist.
1930The Maltese FalconDashiell HammettMystery & Thriller · TenseA San Francisco detective takes a case from a mysterious woman, and a search for a black statuette follows
What you get: A fast, stylish mystery with a tough detective, shifting loyalties and razor-sharp dialogue.
1940Sad CypressAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA cousin, a poisoned sandwich and a rose
What you get: An absorbing story of love and suspicion with a satisfying solution.
1959Cat Among the PigeonsAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA school, a murder and missing jewels
What you get: A fast, cleverly plotted adventure.
- The Secret of Secrets2025The Secret of SecretsDan BrownMystery & Thriller · Tense
Langdon in Prague
What you get: A quick, cliffhanger-driven adventure through Prague.
1934The Postman Always Rings TwiceJames M. CainMystery & Thriller · TenseFrank Chambers, a drifter, takes a job at a rural California diner and begins an affair with the owner's wife
What you get: A tight, lean thriller you can read in one sitting, full of passion and suspense.
- Dead Man’s Folly1956Dead Man’s FollyAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · Light
A murder game at a fête
What you get: A light, charming mystery with a playful setup.
1948Taken at the FloodAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulAn inheritance, a murder and a vanished man
What you get: A twisting puzzle of money and relatives.
1929Partners in CrimeAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · LightA series of stories in a detective agency
What you get: Snappy, entertaining short stories with a playful tone.
1941N or M?Agatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA wartime spy hunt
What you get: A fun, quick-witted caper with an engaging pair of sleuths.
2001Mystic RiverDennis LehaneMystery & Thriller · DarkThree boyhood friends reunited by a murder
What you get: A gripping, emotional story about friendship and the past that grabs you.
- Gaudy Night1935Gaudy NightDorothy L. SayersMystery & Thriller · Thoughtful
Harriet and Oxford
What you get: A rich, witty mystery with a lovely romance and a vivid academic setting.
- The Silkworm2014The SilkwormRobert GalbraithMystery & Thriller · Dark
A writer’s murder
What you get: A twisty, absorbing puzzle set in the publishing world.
- L.A. Confidential1990L.A. ConfidentialJames EllroyMystery & Thriller · Dark
Three cops and the corruption of 1950s Los Angeles
What you get: A fast, richly plotted noir with memorable characters and sharp turns.
2001The Constant GardenerJohn le CarréMystery & Thriller · MelancholicA diplomat looks into the murder of his wife in Kenya
What you get: A gripping story of love and courage that keeps you turning pages.
1959GoldfingerIan FlemingMystery & Thriller · TenseBond against a gold-obsessed criminal mastermind
What you get: A stylish, fast-moving adventure with gadgets, glamour and a great antagonist.
2022The Ink Black HeartRobert GalbraithMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA game and an online troll
What you get: A big, absorbing case with a clever online twist.
1968By the Pricking of My ThumbsAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulAn old woman’s vanished friend
What you get: A charming, slightly eerie adventure for two lovable detectives.
2025The Hallmarked ManRobert GalbraithMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulThe newest Strike novel
What you get: A fresh, engaging mystery for fans of the series.
- The Running Grave2023The Running GraveRobert GalbraithMystery & Thriller · Dark
A religious group and a missing woman
What you get: A rich, gripping case that keeps you reading.
2021The Man Who Died TwiceRichard OsmanMystery & Thriller · LightThe retirees face a second case
What you get: A charming, clever puzzle with a warm group of friends and plenty of humor.
- Troubled Blood2020Troubled BloodRobert GalbraithMystery & Thriller · Thoughtful
A cold case
What you get: A rich, absorbing and puzzling investigation that you can sink into.
2018Lethal WhiteRobert GalbraithMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA boy’s possible murder and a political scandal
What you get: A big, atmospheric case with surprising connections.
2018The Kremlin’s CandidateJason MatthewsMystery & Thriller · TenseThe final book of the trilogy
What you get: A fast, tense finale full of cat-and-mouse games.
2016The Glorious HeresiesLisa McInerneyMystery & Thriller · DarkIn recession-era Cork, Maureen kills an intruder in her old brothel and turns to her son, a crime boss
What you get: A lively, vivid story full of humor and humanity.
2015Career of EvilRobert GalbraithMystery & Thriller · DarkA severed leg in the post
What you get: A gripping, fast-moving case that keeps you hooked.
2015Palace of TreasonJason MatthewsMystery & Thriller · TenseDominika and Nate continue
What you get: A tense, intelligent spy story with a strong sense of place.
2013Red SparrowJason MatthewsMystery & Thriller · TenseA Russian spy and a CIA officer
What you get: A taut, authentic spy story with a cunning heroine and layered plot.
- The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest2007The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ NestStieg LarssonMystery & Thriller · Dark
The conclusion of the trilogy
What you get: A satisfying, tense finish with a strong heroine.
2006The Girl Who Played with FireStieg LarssonMystery & Thriller · DarkSalander is accused of murder
What you get: A fast, gripping thriller that keeps you reading late into the night.
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo2005The Girl with the Dragon TattooStieg LarssonMystery & Thriller · Dark
A journalist and a hacker investigate a family’s secret
What you get: A gripping, layered mystery with two original, memorable leads. The atmosphere is vivid and the plot unfolds with great skill, making it a satisfying long read.
- Tears of the Giraffe2000Tears of the GiraffeAlexander McCall SmithMystery & Thriller · Warm
More cases for Mma Ramotswe
What you get: A warm, soothing continuation filled with kindness.
1990The Bourne UltimatumRobert LudlumMystery & Thriller · TenseThe final face-off with Carlos
What you get: A fast, tense finale that ties the story together.
1986The Bourne SupremacyRobert LudlumMystery & Thriller · TenseBourne in Hong Kong
What you get: A gripping, globe-trotting sequel with high stakes.
1980The Name of the RoseUmberto EcoMystery & Thriller · DarkA medieval monk investigates deaths in an abbey library
What you get: A rich, atmospheric detective story full of books, secrets and ideas.
1975Dog SoldiersRobert StoneMystery & Thriller · TenseA journalist has a friend smuggle heroin out of Vietnam, and then the buyers and the law come after them
What you get: A fast, intense story with strong atmosphere and a sharp edge.
1973Postern of FateAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · MelancholicThe couple’s last case
What you get: A gentle, nostalgic mystery that closes a long series.
1966The Unexpected Mrs. PollifaxDorothy GilmanMystery & Thriller · LightA grandmother becomes an accidental spy
What you get: A brisk, funny spy caper that is endlessly charming.
1960The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding and a Selection of EntréesAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · LightPoirot at a country house over Christmas
What you get: A festive collection of clever short cases for the winter season.
- Hickory Dickory Dock1955Hickory Dickory DockAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · Light
A hostel for students and a string of thefts
What you get: A lively puzzle with a colorful cast of residents.
1937Busman’s HoneymoonDorothy L. SayersMystery & Thriller · LightLord Peter’s honeymoon
What you get: A warm, witty and charming story that wraps up the couple's tale.
- Three Act Tragedy1934Three Act TragedyAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · Light
A vicar is poisoned at a party
What you get: A fun, cleverly constructed puzzle that rewards sharp readers.
1933Murder Must AdvertiseDorothy L. SayersMystery & Thriller · LightLord Peter goes undercover in an advertising agency
What you get: A clever and amusing puzzle with sharp wit.
- Have His Carcase1932Have His CarcaseDorothy L. SayersMystery & Thriller · Thoughtful
A body on a beach
What you get: A sharp, engaging puzzle with a romance running beside it.
- Five Red Herrings1931Five Red HerringsDorothy L. SayersMystery & Thriller · Light
A painter is found dead in Scotland
What you get: A clever, countryside whodunit full of alibis.
1930Strong PoisonDorothy L. SayersMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulHarriet Vane is accused of murder
What you get: A smart, engaging mystery that introduces a great heroine.
1928The Unpleasantness at the Bellona ClubDorothy L. SayersMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA death at a club
What you get: A witty, atmospheric puzzle with period flavor.
1927Unnatural DeathDorothy L. SayersMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA doctor and a suspicious death
What you get: A neat, witty puzzle with a thoughtful solution.
1926Clouds of WitnessDorothy L. SayersMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA murder and Lord Peter’s brother
What you get: A witty, entertaining puzzle with an aristocratic sleuth.
1923The Murder on the LinksAgatha ChristieMystery & Thriller · LightA murder on a golf course in France
What you get: A clever, charming puzzle with Poirot in a seaside setting.
1917His Last BowArthur Conan DoyleMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulEight stories as war approaches
What you get: A compact, varied set of stories with a sense of an era's end.
- The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes1893The Memoirs of Sherlock HolmesArthur Conan DoyleMystery & Thriller · Thoughtful
Eleven more cases, and a fatal fall
What you get: Memorable, atmospheric cases with sharp deductions and some famous moments.
1892The Adventures of Sherlock HolmesArthur Conan DoyleMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulThe first collection of Holmes short stories
What you get: A collection of classic puzzles with a sharp detective, a loyal friend and cozy Victorian charm. Each story is a satisfying mind game with a neat resolution.
1890The Sign of the FourArthur Conan DoyleMystery & Thriller · ThoughtfulA treasure, a curse and an Indian secret
What you get: A fast, vivid mystery with treasure, romance and brilliant deduction.
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