When looking for a captivating mystery book to read, it can be overwhelming to choose an author in the genre. When you find a amazing mystery authors who are able to captivate and hold your interest, its a magical experience. There is nothing like a great mystery to get lost in as the weather turns colder.
Below you’ll find a small list of mystery authors you should keep on your radar! Each author is unique in their writing style and structure, and give you a fresh perspective and fresh ideas in the genre. Blending modern mystery and the classic crime, these authors are worth checking out.
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6. Jo Nesbø
Norwegian author Jo Nesbø has sold over 3 million of his books in Norway alone, let alone the rest of the world, an impressive feat for mystery authors no matter what language they write in. His books have been translated into 50+ languages, and the latest data indicates that he has sold over 50 million copies of his books worldwide.
His novels are a combination of crime are horror and are filled with mystery. His most popular series is the Harry Hole detective crime novels. Jo Nesbø is an author who should be on your radar because his crime fiction writing is addictive. He manages to create a world where the reader is drawn in, captivated, and eagerly waiting for the next twist. His characters are engaging and his words build vivid imagery.
5. Gillian Flynn
Gillian Flynn started a phenomenon with her book Gone Girl. Her books have this way of hooking you into a mystery almost immediately. By drawing the reader in so intently from the beginning that they have no choice but to binge the entire story to solve the mystery at the core of the story.
Flynn’s writing style is what managed to capture the hearts of so many, and has cemented her place in the mystery authors hall of fame. Her story structure is captivating. In joining her on a twisted adventure, you are choosing to play detective. Gillian Flynn knows how to make you want to keep her books on your shelf.
4. Riley Sager
Riley is a former journalist, which means he knows how to research and captivate a wide audience. His books hover in the psychological thriller genre, with twists and turns that make the work that much more engrossing for the reader. Fans of horror are bound to love his books, as he likes to speckle the occasional ode to horror films and older works of fiction onto the pages. We love a touch of meta with our mystery authors, and Sager delivers.
3. Laura Lippman
Know for her crime fiction and her Tess Monaghan series, Laura has written over 20 crime novels, and taken her place within the world of modern mystery authors.
Lippman is a retired school librarian, and she definitely knows what people want out of their mystery fiction. When reading her books, the reader gets exactly what they’re searching for in their crime fiction. Strong characters, relevance to modern society, and a mystery so good it’ll keep you up all night.
Lippman’s novel Every Secret Thing was adapted for the screen in 2014, and a limited series based on her novel Lady in the Lake is in the works at Apple TV, starring Natalie Portman and Lupita Nyong’o. Yes please
2. Julie Clark
Clark’s mystery novels are on numerous book lists, from Target’s book club pick to USA Today and Amazon’s best book of the year.
With only two books to her name so far, Julie Clark has captivated audiences with her twisted stories and fast-paced plots. She manages to twist her mystery around your heart and pull you into its world. When reading her books its easy to lose track of time and feel as though you are part of the story itself.
1. Kwei Quartey
Kwei Quartey practiced medicine for 20 years while simultaneously writing his books. Growing up both in America and Ghana, he has a strong passion for promoting African American literature and mystery. Sometimes referred to as “African Noir” or “Sunshine Noir”, his mystery novels put forth these stories-a rarity in the genre-for the masses.
Quartey’s take on mystery and the settings and plots are unique and captivating. For the majority of North American mystery readers, a different setting can be a breath of fresh air, and the Ghanian influence woven throughout the stories make them all the more intriguing for the reader.
Good mystery authors can be hard to find, but once you’ve discovered a style that suits you, you’ve opened yourself up to a whole new fascinating exploration of the genre. Don’ be afraid to pick up a new authors’ work the next time you’re looking for a new read-you may just find your new favourite writer.
