Do you have a keen eye for detail? Can you spot inconsistencies in a story that others miss? Then you might just have what it takes to crack the case in a good mystery suspense book! This genre is all about puzzles, riddles, and unraveling the truth behind seemingly impossible crimes. It’s about heart-pounding suspense, unforgettable characters, and mind-blowing twists that will keep you guessing until the very last page.
Whether you’re a seasoned sleuth or a curious newcomer to the world of mysteries, this blog is for you. We’ve compiled a list of the Top 15 best mystery suspense books you can’t put down.. From classic whodunits to modern psychological thrillers and cozy retreats to dark and unsettling tales, we have something for every mystery enthusiast.Â
1. The Chain
- Author: Adrian McKinty
- Prize Awarded: International Thriller Writers Award for Best Hardcover Novel (2020)
- Book Launch Date: July 9, 2019
- Preferred Group: Fans of high-concept thrillers and breakneck pacing.
- Where to Buy: Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores.
Book Overview:
Imagine your child is kidnapped, and to secure their release, you must kidnap someone else’s child. Welcome to The Chain, a chilling psychological thriller that explores just how far parents will go to protect their children. Rachel Klein is thrust into this horrifying cycle when her daughter is taken, setting off a chain reaction of fear and moral dilemmas.
Adrian McKinty weaves a tightly plotted, heart-pounding narrative with compelling characters and relentless suspense. The concept alone makes this a standout in the best mystery and suspense books, and McKinty’s razor-sharp writing ensures you’ll be hooked from start to finish.
2. The Thursday Murder Club
- Author: Richard Osman
- Prize Awarded: British Book Awards Author of the Year (2021)
- Book Launch Date: September 3, 2020
- Preferred Group: Fans of cozy mysteries with quirky characters.
- Where to Buy: Check it out on Amazon, Audible, and at local bookstores.
Book Overview:
Who says retirees can’t solve crimes? In a peaceful English retirement village, four amateur sleuths meet weekly to solve cold cases. But when a real murder occurs close to home, the Thursday Murder Club takes on its biggest challenge yet.
Richard Osman’s debut is equally charming and suspenseful, with witty dialogue, endearing characters, and an intricately woven mystery. It’s a refreshing take on the genre, making it a top pick for fans of the best-selling suspense mystery books.
3. The Guest List
- Author: Lucy Foley
- Prize Awarded: Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery & Thriller (2020)
- Book Launch Date: May 5, 2020
- Preferred Group: Fans of locked-room mysteries with a modern twist.
- Where to Buy: Available at major retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Book Overview:
Picture this: a remote island off the Irish coast, a lavish wedding, and a murder. Lucy Foley’s The Guest List delivers a modern-day whodunit where every guest harbors a secret, and no one is truly innocent.
With its atmospheric setting and shifting perspectives, Foley creates a tense, claustrophobic narrative that keeps you guessing until the final pages. This masterfully crafted tale secures its place among the best mystery suspense books of all time.
4. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
- Author: Holly Jackson
- Prize Awarded: British Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year (2020)
- Book Launch Date: May 2, 2019
- Preferred Group: YA fans and readers who enjoy investigative mysteries.
- Where to Buy: Available at Amazon, Bookshop.org, and local retailers.
Book Overview:
High school senior Pippa Fitz-Amobi decides to re-investigate a five-year-old murder case in her small town for a school project. The official verdict was clear—Sal Singh killed Andie Bell and then himself—but Pippa isn’t convinced. As she digs deeper, she uncovers shocking secrets that put her own life at risk.
Holly Jackson delivers a fast-paced, twisty mystery that appeals to readers of all ages. With its clever plot and engaging protagonist, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder stands out among the best mystery and suspense books for its fresh perspective and thrilling pace.
5. The Couple at No. 9
- Author: Claire Douglas
- Prize Awarded: N/A
- Book Launch Date: August 19, 2021
- Preferred Group: Fans of domestic thrillers and buried secrets.
- Where to Buy: Available at major retailers like Waterstones, Amazon, and Target.
Book Overview:
When Saffron and her partner Tom move into their idyllic cottage, they don’t expect renovations to uncover human remains in their garden. As police investigate, long-buried secrets from Saffron’s family come to light, putting her trust in those closest to her in doubt.
Claire Douglas expertly balances tension, twists, and emotional depth in The Couple at No. 9. If you’re searching for the best suspense thriller books of all time, this eerie domestic thriller is sure to make your list.
6. The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
- Author: Stuart Turton
- Prize Awarded: Costa First Novel Award (2018)
- Book Launch Date: September 18, 2018
- Preferred Group: Fans of mind-bending mysteries and time-loop narratives.
- Where to Buy: Widely available at bookstores, Amazon, and Audible.
Book Overview:
The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is a genre-defying mystery where protagonist Aiden Bishop must solve a murder in an elaborate time loop. Each day, he wakes up in the body of a different guest at Blackheath Manor, forced to piece together clues from multiple perspectives.
Stuart Turton’s inventive storytelling and intricate plotting make this one of the best mystery suspense books of all time, delivering a truly unique reading experience.
7. Magpie Murder
- Author: Anthony Horowitz
- Prize Awarded: N/A
- Book Launch Date: October 6, 2016
- Preferred Group: Fans of classic murder mysteries with a metafictional twist.
- Where to Buy: Available at most retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Book Overview:
When editor Susan Ryeland reads the latest manuscript from bestselling mystery author Alan Conway, she realizes the book’s fictional murder might be tied to a real-life crime.
Anthony Horowitz pays homage to classic whodunits in Magpie Murders while delivering a clever, modern mystery-within-a-mystery.
8. The Paris Library
- Author: Janet Skeslien Charles
- Prize Awarded: N/A
- Book Launch Date: February 9, 2021
- Preferred Group: Fans of historical mysteries and emotionally rich narratives.
- Where to Buy: Find it on Amazon, Bookshop.org, or your local bookstore.
Book Overview:
Set during World War II, The Paris Library is a story of intrigue, betrayal, and resilience centered around the real-life American Library in Paris. Odile, a librarian caught between loyalty and survival, finds herself drawn into the resistance, but secrets from her past resurface decades later.
This dual-timeline mystery beautifully blends history and suspense, offering readers an emotional journey with compelling twists. It’s a unique entry among the best-selling suspense books, appealing to those who crave depth alongside their thrills.
9. The It Girl
- Author: Ruth Ware
- Prize Awarded: N/A
- Book Launch Date: July 12, 2022
- Preferred Group: Fans of campus mysteries and twisty psychological suspense.
- Where to Buy: Available at major booksellers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Audible.
Book Overview:
Ruth Ware’s The It Girl takes you to the elite world of Oxford University, where tragedy strikes when the charismatic and glamorous April Clarke-Cliveden is found dead. A decade later, her best friend, Hannah, begins to question whether the man convicted of the crime was truly guilty.
Ware excels at creating layered characters and weaving suspenseful narratives, and The It Girl is no exception. This blend of dark academia and psychological tension is a must-read for anyone exploring the best mystery suspense books.
10. The Postscript Murders
- Author: Elly Griffiths
- Prize Awarded: N/A
- Book Launch Date: February 4, 2021
- Preferred Group: Fans of cozy mysteries with a contemporary twist.
- Where to Buy: Check it out on Amazon, Bookshop.org, and local indie shops.
Book Overview:
Murder and mystery collide in The Postscript Murders, where the death of an elderly woman, Peggy Smith, is anything but ordinary. Known for her knack for “plotting murders” for crime writers, Peggy’s passing draws suspicion when her bookshelves reveal dedications from some of the biggest names in mystery fiction.
Elly Griffiths combines wit, charm, and suspense in this engaging tale, which feels like a modern-day homage to Agatha Christie.
11. The Last House on Needless Street
- Author: Catriona Ward
- Prize Awarded: British Fantasy Award for Best Horror Novel (2021)
- Book Launch Date: September 28, 2021
- Preferred Group: Fans of psychological suspense with dark, unsettling twists.
- Where to Buy: Widely available on Amazon, Audible, and in bookstores.
Book Overview:
In The Last House on Needless Street, nothing is as it seems. This chilling mystery revolves around Ted, an eccentric recluse; his cat, Olivia; and the disappearance of a young girl years earlier. Told from multiple perspectives, the story masterfully unravels a series of shocking revelations.
Catriona Ward’s dark, atmospheric storytelling makes this an unforgettable addition to the best mystery suspense books of all time, blending psychological depth with gothic unease.
12. The Family Upstairs
- Author: Lisa Jewell
- Prize Awarded: N/A
- Book Launch Date: August 6, 2019
- Preferred Group: Fans of domestic suspense and multi-generational secrets.
- Where to Buy: Pick it up on Amazon, Bookshop.org, or at your local retailer.
Book Overview:
In The Family Upstairs, Libby Jones inherits a mansion in London, only to discover the sinister history tied to it. As she delves deeper, the lives of three families converge, revealing a haunting tale of cult-like control, betrayal, and survival.
Lisa Jewell’s skillful plotting and richly drawn characters ensure that this gripping tale earns its spot among the best suspense thriller books of all time. With its dark atmosphere and jaw-dropping twists, you won’t be able to put it down.
13. The Maid
- Author: Nita Prose
- Prize Awarded: Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery & Thriller (2022)
- Book Launch Date: January 4, 2022
- Preferred Group: Fans of quirky protagonists and light-hearted mysteries.
- Where to Buy: Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org.
Book Overview:
Molly Gray is a hotel maid with a keen eye for detail and a unique way of seeing the world. But when she discovers a guest dead in their suite, her orderly life is thrown into chaos. With the police suspecting her involvement, Molly must navigate a web of secrets to clear her name.
Nita Prose crafts an endearing protagonist and a compelling mystery in The Maid. Its heartfelt humor and sharp twists make it a delightful standout among the best mystery suspense books.
14. The Turn of the Key
- Author: Ruth Ware
- Prize Awarded: N/A
- Book Launch Date: August 6, 2019
- Preferred Group: Fans of gothic thrillers and modern retellings.
- Where to Buy: Find it at Amazon, Audible, or your favorite bookstore.
Book Overview:
Inspired by Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw, Ruth Ware’s The Turn of the Key is a modern twist on the classic ghost story. When Rowan takes a job as a live-in nanny at a luxurious but eerie smart home, she’s drawn into a nightmare of unexplained events and tragic consequences.
Told through her letters from prison, Rowan tries to convince you of her innocence.
This book is a masterclass in suspense, blending psychological tension with a gothic atmosphere. If you’re seeking the best mystery and suspense books, this one is unmissable.
15. Nine Perfect Strangers
- Author: Liane Moriarty
- Prize Awarded: N/A
- Book Launch Date: November 6, 2018
- Preferred Group: Fans of ensemble mysteries and darkly comedic suspense.
- Where to Buy: Available at Amazon, Target, and local booksellers.
Book Overview:
Nine guests arrive at a luxurious wellness retreat, each with their own baggage and secrets. But their journey to relaxation takes a sinister turn as the enigmatic host, Masha, begins implementing unorthodox methods.
Liane Moriarty weaves an intricate web of intrigue and character-driven suspense in Nine Perfect Strangers. With its sharp humor and unexpected twists, this book earns a place among the best-selling books of suspense mystery.
Final Note:
So there you have it, our top picks for the best mystery suspense books you can’t put down! With captivating plots, unforgettable characters, and twists you won’t see coming, these books are guaranteed to keep you up all night. We hope this list inspires you to pick up a new mystery and match wits against cunning criminals, eccentric detectives, and unreliable narrators.
FAQs – Frequentlt Asked Questions
Q1: I’m new to mystery suspense books. Where should Q1 start?
A: Don’t worry; there’s a perfect mystery out there for everyone! If you’re just starting to explore the genre, a good starting point might be a book like “The Thursday Murder Club” by Richard Osman. It’s a charming and cozy mystery with a touch of humor and quirky characters.
Q2: I’m in the mood for something fast-paced and action-packed. Can you recommend a book on your list?
A: Absolutely! If you’re looking for a high-octane thriller, check out “The Chain” by Adrian McKinty. This one will have you racing through the pages as you follow a desperate mother thrust into a horrifying situation.
Q3: Are there any historical mysteries on this list?
A: Yes, there are! “The Paris Library” by Janet Skeslien Charles is a captivating blend of historical fiction and mystery, set against the backdrop of World War II.
Q4: Where can I find these books?
A: All of the books on this list are available for purchase online at retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. You may also be able to find them at your local library.
Q5: How can I discover more great mystery suspense books?
A: There are many online resources where you can find recommendations for mystery suspense books. You can also check out websites and blogs dedicated to the genre or ask for recommendations from librarians or friends who enjoy reading mysteries.