What better way to celebrate the start of spooky season than with a good murder mystery book? Murder mysteries have everything: from chilling crimes to suspenseful danger, to engaging and compelling puzzles and plot twists. They’re the perfect choice for your fall TBR list.
If you’re looking for a great murder mystery book recommendation, we’ve got you covered. Here are ten of our favorite murder mystery books that will have you hooked until the final page.
10. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
This 2018 hit debut murder mystery novel was nominated for a slew of Goodreads Choice Awards, including Best Mystery and Thriller. (It’s only logical, then, that the book also made numerous best-of lists, including the Top Five Mystery Books.
In the decadent, decaying estate of Blackheath, Aiden is confronted with a mystery. Who killed Evelyn Hardcastle, the mysterious daughter of the estate’s owners? There’s just one catch: Aiden is stuck in a time loop. Each day he awakes in a different body, and each night, Evelyn suffers her death during a masquerade ball.
Can Aiden catch her killer before it’s too late?
Why we recommend it: I loved the genre-blending in this original and creative murder mystery.
9. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Pip is an ordinary high school girl who’s just trying to graduate. But when a senior project leads her to investigate a closed murder case, she begins to realize the suspect might still be at large.
This young adult murder mystery got the Netflix treatment this summer, and the adaptation is just as addictive as the book.
Why we recommend it: I loved the plot twists and narrative tension in this murder mystery.
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8. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Four friends are passing their final years in a quiet retirement village where life is carefree. But they share a common interest: unsolved murders.
When a cold-blooded killing happens in their community, they realize their armchair expertise might be the only saving grace for this murder.
This runaway success is slated for a screen adaptation starring the likes of Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan.
Why we recommend it: I loved the characters in this novel and the centering of elderly protagonists. Absolutely brilliant.
7. The Guest List by Lucy Foley
Winner of the 2020 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Mystery and Thriller, this murder mystery is required reading for all true crime fans.
It tells the story of a luxurious wedding on an Irish island. As the festivities unravel, so too does the celebration: one of the guests is dead. But who’s to blame?
Why we recommend it: I enjoyed the dark atmosphere in this murder mystery book.
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6. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
“Dark academia” is an aesthetic that’s everywhere these days, from Taylor Swift’s latest album to Selena Gomez’s fashion choices. But where did it all begin?
The Secret History is widely considered to the one of the biggest progenitors of the genre. Set in an idyllic, elite private college, a group of high-achieving students find themselves embroiled in scandal when one of their own is murdered.
Why we recommend it: I adore this book. Perfect for murder mystery fans interested in group dynamics and psychology.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter5. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Alicia has a seemingly perfect life on the surface. She has a successful career as a painter, and she and her husband have a happy marriage. Until she shoots him, and Alicia never speaks again.
In this gripping murder mystery, a therapist becomes fascinated by Alicia’s story as he slowly finds himself obsessed with uncovering the truth behind why she did it.
Why we recommend it: I loved the plot twists in this murder mystery book, which kept me on edge until the end.
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4. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
The debut novel from one of our generation’s most successful murder mystery writers, Sharp Objects is the murder mystery that put Gillian Flynn on the map.
When journalist Camille returns to her hometown to investigate the murder of two young girls, she is confronted by the trauma she’s spent her life fighting to escape.
If you’re a fan of Flynn’s unique brand of murder mystery books, be sure to check out Dark Places, the upcoming HBO adaptation of another of her novels.
Why we recommend it: I love the family dysfunction in this murder mystery book.
3. Big Little Lies by Lianne Moriarty
This murder mystery book tells the story of a group of wealthy women who become embroiled in drama when a murder investigation unfolds during a school fundraiser. Can they keep their secrets safe?
Why we recommend it: I adored this novel and its characters. The HBO adaptation starring Reese Witherspoon is a must-watch for fans of this murder mystery.
2. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
One of our favorite thought-provoking murder mysteries, this book follows an unlikely team of a journalist and a hacker who seek to find the truth about the mystery of a missing woman.
Why we recommend it: I enjoyed the gritty and dark atmosphere in this murder mystery.
1. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Arguably the most famous classic in the genre, this murder mystery is about ten strangers who are mysteriously invited to a remote island. As they die, one by one, the survivors are left to find the killer before it’s too late.
Why we recommend it: I liked the plot twists in this novel, which made it tough to put down.
While these are our ten favorite murder mystery novels to keep you on edge until the very end, we’d love to hear from you! What are your favorite murder mystery novels? Leave a comment and let us know.
Happy reading!
