Rebecca (1938) by Daphne du Maurier
This haunting Gothic classic invites you into the grand mansion of Manderley, where a young second wife lives under the shadow of her husband’s late first wife, the enigmatic Rebecca. Du Maurier’s novel drips with atmosphere, think secretive servants, foggy Cornwall cliffs, and a creeping sense of dread, without ever resorting to gore. Published in 1938, Rebecca remains as suspenseful as ever, a mystery tinged with romance and psychological tension. It’s perfect for readers who love their mysteries served with a side of eerie elegance and subtle supernatural vibes (and it has one of the most famous opening lines in literature to boot!).
In a Lonely Place (1947) by Dorothy B. Hughes
Dive into a stylish noir set in post–World War II Los Angeles. Hughes’s 1947 novel follows a charming ex-pilot in a city of dimly lit cocktail bars and looming fog, crafting 'an elegantly written, stylish noir' tale of evil and paranoia amid the post-war desolation. The story simmers with dubious morals and creeping tension as you peer into the mind of an unsettling lead character without quite knowing what he’s capable of. It’s a chilling peek into the darkness behind L.A.’s sunny façade, equal parts glamorous and deeply unnerving, but we promise it won’t give away its darkest secrets until the final pages.
The Name of the Rose (1980) by Umberto Eco
Who knew a medieval monastery could host such a thrilling murder mystery? Eco’s internationally bestselling debut from 1980 is a historical whodunit set in a 14th-century Italian abbey where monks start turning up dead under suspicious circumstances. Enter William of Baskerville, a Sherlock Holmes-like friar with keen logic, and his young apprentice, who must solve a chain of cryptic murders linked to a secret labyrinthine library. The Name of the Rose wraps its mystery in rich historical detail and intellectual puzzles (philosophy, theology, forbidden books, it’s like a mystery novel for history buffs). The mood is brainy and atmospheric, full of candlelit suspense, and it will leave you feeling smarter and entertained, all without spoiling the intricate twists lurking in the abbey’s dark corners.
The Blind Assassin (2000) by Margaret Atwood
Atwood’s Booker Prize–winning novel from 2000 is a genre-blender: part mystery, part family saga, and even part sci-fi pulp story within the story. It opens with the suspicious death of a young woman named Laura Chase, then unfolds through the recollections of her sister Iris, who tries to piece together what really happened. As you read, you get a novel-within-a-novel (a noir-ish sci-fi tale called The Blind Assassin), adding layers of intrigue and meaning. The mood here is moody and cerebral, don’t expect a fast-paced thriller, but rather a slow-burn unraveling of secrets wrapped in Atwood’s beautiful prose. It’s a literary mystery that rewards patience with a truly unique storytelling experience (and no, we won’t spoil the many twists that Atwood masterfully packs into this one).
Case Histories (2004) by Kate Atkinson
Kate Atkinson’s 2004 novel is a clever and funny detective story, that’s as much about the people as it is about the puzzles. Our hero, ex-cop turned private investigator Jackson Brodie, juggles three cold cases at once, a missing child, a decades-old murder, and a family secret or two, which gradually begin to intersect in surprising ways. Along the way, Atkinson infuses the narrative with dark humor and heartfelt moments, creating an endearing cast of characters you can’t help but root for. (Even Stephen King dubbed it the ‘best mystery of the decade’) Case Histories proves that a murder mystery can be warm, witty, and utterly engrossing without ever dropping the ball on suspense or plot twists.
Bluebird, Bluebird (2017) by Attica Locke
Set on the backroads of East Texas, this 2017 novel serves up a Southern murder mystery with a bluesy twist. Attica Locke’s award-winning story follows a Black Texas Ranger named Darren Mathews as he investigates two seemingly linked murders in a small town bubbling with long-held racial tensions. It’s a 'rural noir' steeped in the unique music, color, and nuance of East Texas, you can practically hear the blues guitar riffs as you turn the pages. Bluebird, Bluebird delivers a compelling blend of crime and social commentary, wrapping it all in sweltering bayou atmosphere and suspense. The result is an emotionally charged thriller that will have you swearing you taste the sweet tea and dust of Texas, all while you puzzle out the killer alongside its beleaguered hero.
How to Solve Your Own Murder (2024) by Kristen Perrin
Last but not least, here’s a brand-new 2024 mystery that flips the classic whodunit on its head. In this enormously fun tale, a fortune-teller’s grim prediction at a 1960s fair sets one woman on a lifetime mission to prevent her own murder, and decades later, after that prophecy finally comes to pass, it’s up to her great-niece to catch the killer. Kristen Perrin delivers a cheeky, fresh twist on the cozy English country house mystery: picture an eccentric village full of suspicious characters, a castle-like estate with secrets in every nook, and an amateur sleuth racing against time. The tone is breezy and playful (think Knives Out meets Miss Marple), packed with endearing characters and witty banter.
Words Harita Odedara
4.07.2025