A good Book is a great way to unwind after a long day at work and rejuvenate your mind. Whether you are searching for ways to get inspired for your next novel, or are planning to take a retreat before getting back to writing, reading a good Mystery novel is always a good idea to get your creative juices flowing. Several genres of novels – like humour and adventure – have gained popularity over the years but nothing is as satisfying to the senses as the feeling of completing a good mystery novel. The several twists and turns in the plot and unravelling mysteries are bound to keep you intrigued. What more? They not only keep you hooked to the Story but also satiate your appetite for clues, murders and suspicious characters throughout the reading journey!
Looking for a good mystery read to add to your list? Here is a list of mystery novels, from classics to contemporary thrillers. Pick one and bury yourself in an interesting storyline as you flip through the pages of these international bestsellers.
- The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco (1994)
“Books are not made to be believed, but to be subjected to inquiry. When we consider a book, we mustn’t ask ourselves what it says but what it means…”
Written in the 1990s, The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco is often described as “a book about everything”. This is mainly because it is a perfect combination of medieval history, classic whodunit and gothic noir. This novel is a traditional work of historical fiction, so take your time to read it as it is a one-of-a-kind literary experience. The basic plot is the story of Adso and his brother William as they embark on a journey to encounter the wicked secrets of an abbey in the heart of Italy. It starts with the Abbot asking William to look into some mysterious deaths. William, with his unruffled investigating abilities, moves closer to unfolding the secrets behind these deaths. But as he nears the truth, he is asked to halt. Driven by his curiosity, William goes ahead with investigating the incidents to find realities behind the rumours. A key aspect worth noticing in this novel is how the author connects the medieval setups and views with modern thoughts and perceptions and weaves a beautiful work of fiction. As you start reading this novel, you will find yourself embarking on a thrilling, intellectual and bizarre journey that keeps you motivated to reach the end.
2. The girl who played with Fire- Stieg Larsson
“I believe that everyone has it in them to kill another person. In desperation, or hatred, or at least to defend themselves.”
This novel is an unquestionable masterpiece. It is the second novel in the Millennium thriller series written by Stieg Larsson. Lisbeth, the super captivating main character keeps the spark in this story alive. Playing the protagonist, she is quite a nasty personality who is better off in prison. The book is a fast-paced, cracking read that is bundled with suspense and twists. The action sequences, the consistent tension and the complex characteristics of Lisbeth, give the reader a cinematic feel. The book ends with a cliff hanger that would leave most readers unsatisfied, yet thinking.
3. The Good Widow- Liz Fenton
“She can kill with a smile She can wound with her eyes She can ruin your faith with her casual lies.”
A Fun and engrossing read, ‘The Good Widow’ is a great pick for all you mystery lovers. Although initially, it may come across as a drama-based novel, the second half of the book has some interesting turns which make it a good thriller. The story is about a school teacher called Jacqueline Morales who didn’t think she had a perfect marriage but sure did consider it as a stable one. Her life is comfortable until the day she is told about her husband Jack’s accident while driving on his way to Hana in Hawaii. While mourning the death of her late husband, the presence of a mystery woman who was in the car with her husband during that accident is revealed to her. The woman’s ex-fiancée turns up at Jacqueline’s door-step proposing to her that they both should travel to Hawaii to investigate the accident. The story starts with a slow momentum which drastically picks up in the second half with some spine-chilling twists and turns.
4. The Silent Child- Sarah A. Denzil
“Monsters are men and women just like us, and they have the ability to hide their true face.”
This is definitely not one of those cosy mystery reads. For all those who love dark and haunting mystery novels, ‘The Silent Child’ should indeed be a part of your reading list. The plot of the story is woven with great care focussing on unfolding stunning facts to keep you at the edge of your seat. A woman loses her ten-year-old son in a natural calamity and finds herself in a lone ground with no one but her parents to rely on. Soon enough, she loses them too and is back to being alone with no one to look forward to. However, good times start again when she falls in love with a man. She then gets married to him and will be expecting his baby when the story unfolds into a dark torment. Her son gets back into the picture leaving all the readers spellbound. Heart-pounding and suspenseful, you will love the little clues that keep popping up throughout the book, making it a hard-to-leave read.
5. The Woman in Cabin 10- Ruth Ware
“I knew what Nilsson wanted. He wanted me to forget what I’d heard, the scream, the stealthy slide of the screen door, and that horrible, huge slithering splash.”
‘The woman in Cabin-10’ is sure to keep you engrossed, making you want to jump at every chance you get to read this book! Mostly described as a creepy mystery, this book will keep you guessing until the revelation is right. The plot covers the story of a travel journalist who gets an awesome opportunity to take her boss’s place on a luxury cruise ship. Her journey is dreamy until the moment she hears a scream and a splash of a woman in the next door cabin. She then thinks she can see a body floating and eventually sinking in the water. The author has adopted a beautiful balance in the pace of this book. Not too slow and not too fast, the story moves forward with little snippets of clues and makes it a mystery worth the resolve. The twists in this book are sure to make your head spin!
6. Safe with me- K.L. Slater
“It always amazes me how it is so easy to appear one way to the people around you but to live inside as someone else entirely.”
Most commonly known as a gripping psychological thriller, ‘Safe with me’ is a novel with multiple points of view. Once you start reading this one, you are sure to spend most of your time devouring this brilliant piece of work. The plot is that of a revenge story that slowly takes a new twist and becomes more of a self-created mystery. The beauty of this book lies the characters of the plot, each of which is flawed in different ways. Anna, the main character of the book is quite an intense woman. The intensity of her character is explained as the plot moves backwards and forward in time and to the present day. Her ordinary life changes when she witnesses an accident caused by a woman who ruined her life for quite a long time. She sets herself on a revenge mission by coming in contact with Liam, the victim of the accident. As her obsession with revenge heightens, it only leads to a revelation of her secrets. This book comes to you from so many different angles that you will find it hard to let go of until you read the ending.
7. The Girl from the Sea- Shalini Boland
“I feel as though I’m trapped inside my head, unable to look outside. Like I’m covered in a membrane. Sealed in.”
A must read for the fans of ‘The Girl on the Train’. A book filled with astonishment, uncertainty and suspense, ‘The Girl from the Sea’ is a trap you would love to be caught in. This book keeps you gripped from page one and leaves you wanting for more. It keeps you on your toes right from the beginning, like a non-stop mind game! The plot is about a girl called Mia who is found unconscious on the beach and upon gaining consciousness, she has no recollection or remembrance of anything. She fails to recognise herself and her relationships. A man claiming to be her boyfriend fills in the blanks that Mia struggles to fill herself. However, the truth is too hard to believe. Soak yourself in Mia’s quest for the real her.
8.The Butterfly Garden- Dot Hutchison
“Some people stay broken. Some pick up the pieces and put them back together with all the sharp edges showing.”
A disturbing and heart thumping novel that will leave you dumbfounded. ‘The Butterfly Garden’ has a storyline that gives you a closer insight into the different types of human beings that exist on earth. The plot is about a mad sociopath man and his son who kidnap young women and tattoo the young women’s back with butterfly wings. Not only this, but these men rape the women repeatedly and leave them alive a couple of years before they kill them. A shocking and nerve-wrenching novel that will disturb you as you read it but will also make you want to read it till you understand the reason behind these occurrences. ‘The Butterfly Garden’ is sure to give you butterflies as the mystery unravels.
9. Fallen- Karin Slaughter
“She leaves me a lot. That’s what she does. She leaves, and then she comes back. And then she stays some and then she leaves again.”
‘Fallen’ is the third book in Slaughter’s Georgia Series, and hence it would be a good idea to read the previous two novels before you start your journey on this one. The story unfolds when Faith Mitchell – the protagonist of the series – visits her mother, Evelyn, to pick up her infant daughter when she is confronted with a shocking situation. When the dust settles, the house is a major crime scene and Evelyn is missing. ‘The Fallen’ has an explosive mystery with a great storyline and character development. This New York Times Bestseller is bound to keep you hooked throughout the read.
10. Partners in Crime- Agatha Christie
“Words are such uncertain things; they so often sound well but mean the opposite of what one thinks they do.”
After a list of creepy, disturbing and mind shaking yet engrossing mysteries, here is a cosy mystery novel that lets you breathe a little! ‘Partners in Crime’ is a short story novel by Agatha Christie. The entire novel is done almost like a series of short stories, each of one to two chapters. Agatha’s Tommy and Tuppence duo stories are a fun ride, and this one sticks to the fun mystery flavour. Every story has action and mystery that keeps you engrossed in a light-hearted manner. The tongue-in-cheek humour with which Tommy and Tuppence, the detective duo, solve the mysteries is sure to make you feel entertained. In short, an entertaining read that gives you the best of both comedy and mystery worlds.
Mystery novels have changed over the years, each varying over generations, and yet are enthralling enough to keep your interest until the very last minute. It is indeed true to say that a good mystery is a key ingredient for an ideal novel. If you are planning to write a book, head out to Notion Press and discover the joys of self-publishing as you effectively turn your first draft into a complete manuscript.
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