Detective fiction is a success if the mystery seems unsolvable till the detective reveals all his cards. Here at 10 detective novels that you need to read right away.
#1 Appointment with Death by Agatha Christie
About the book:
Title: Appointment with Death
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction
Publisher: HarperCollins
Type: Standalone
Pages: 303
Goodreads rating: 3.9
A group of travelers unwittingly turn into suspects amidst a journey to Petra when their traveling companion Mrs. Bonyton is discovered dead. The only clue is a puncture mark on her wrist. Few tears are shed upon the passing of this tyrannical widow. However, Hercule Poirot’s ‘thirst for truth’ makes him take up a challenge. Of solving the mystery within 24 hours!
Why do we recommend this book?
This book captivates the reader from its very first sentence. As the novel progresses, each character seems an equally likely suspect. The deadline of 24 hours heightens the intrigue. It’s a must-read for a crime fiction lover searching for a brain workout.
To buy/gift Appointment with Death, click on the below link:
#2 A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
About the book:
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Title: A Study in Scarlet
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Classic, Detective Fiction, Thriller, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Penguin Books
Type: Standalone
Pages: 245
Goodreads rating: 4.1
War veteran Dr. Watson decides to share rooms with the quirky science enthusiast Sherlock Holmes. Little did Watson know that he’d soon be caught up in the investigation of a double murder. Sherlock Holmes turns out to be a consulting detective of extraordinary brilliance. So naturally, Dr. Watson jumps at the chance to accompany Holmes on his investigation. Holmes nabs the culprit within three days, taking Dr. Watson and the readers on a wild mystery run through the streets of London. This book sets the stage for the classic Watson- Holmes alliance.
Why do we recommend this book?
The main attraction of this book is the eccentric character of Sherlock Holmes. Dabbling in science experiments and unconventional investigation strategies while utterly ignorant of something as simple as the solar system, the reader is as puzzled by him as Watson. Dr. Watson, the polar opposite of Holmes, embodies the average reader who needs everything explained in black and white. This book is for you if you’re looking for a classic murder mystery.
To buy/gift A Study in Scarlet, click on the below link:
#3 Lord Edgware Dies by Agatha Christie
About the book:
Title: Lord Edgware Dies
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Detective Fiction, Thriller
Publisher: Collins Crime Club
Type: Standalone
Pages: 228
Goodreads rating: 3.9
The charming actress Jane Wilkinson seeks the assistance of renowned detective Hercule Poirot to obtain a divorce from her husband. In a surprising plot twist, the estranged husband, Lord Edgware, is brutally murdered. Naturally, Jane Wilkinson becomes the prime suspect. Frustratingly, she has an airtight alibi. Imitation actress Carlotta Adams appears to be connected to the case. Everything changes when the actress dies of a drug overdose. It’s now up to Hercule Poirot to use his little grey cells and solve the mystery.
Why do we recommend this book?
Deception, rock-solid alibis, and imitations keep you hooked to the book from start to finish. The language is easily understandable, and all of Hercule Poirot’s clues are bare in front of the reader. However, Agatha Christie is not the Queen of Crime for nothing. The reader cannot predict the ending and is kept on edge until the last. This book is perfect for a detective fiction connoisseur.
To buy/gift Lord Edgware Dies, click on the below link:
#4 One Arranged Murder by Chetan Bhagat
About the book:
Title: One Arranged Murder
Author: Chetan Bhagat
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, suspense, romance, crime fiction
Publisher: Westland
Type: Standalone
Pages: 303
Goodreads rating: 3.6
Keshav and Saurabh are business partners- in a detective agency. They were also great friends. That is until Keshav makes fun of Saurabh and his fiance, Prerna. They had met through a matrimonial site, and it was love at first bite! Both were food lovers and deeply in love with each other. Prerna even observes a Karva Chauth fast for Saurabh. However, Saurabh’s dreams are shattered when Prerna is found dead. Saurabh is convinced that she cannot commit suicide. It is now up to the detective duo to find Prerna’s murderer and possibly salvage their friendship.
Why do we recommend this book?
This book is an excellent medley of suspense, crime, romance, drama, and friendship. The reader is kept in awe at the detective duo’s daring and sometimes unconventional approach to crime investigation. The novel is well-written and displays the creative flair of the writer.
To buy/gift One Arranged Murder, click on the below link:
#5 The Clocks by Agatha Christie
About the book:
Title: The Clocks
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, suspense, crime fiction
Publisher: Berkley Books, New York
Type: Standalone
Pages: 257
Goodreads rating: 3.7
What does a clock have to do with the murder? When an unknown man is found dead at 19 Wilbraham Crescent, surrounded by five blocks, Inspector Hardcastle asks himself the same question. Miss Pebmarsh, the blind owner of the house, and Sheila Webb, the stenographer who found the body has no answers. Do the clocks hold a significant clue, or have they been put in as blind? Who is the dead man, and who killed him? Hercule Poirot seeks to unravel the mystery by sitting back in his chair and thinking.
Why do we recommend this book?
One cannot help being inspired by the remarkable Miss Pebmarsh, who leads an independent life despite being blind. Hercule Poirot’s manner of sitting back and employing the ‘little grey cells’ is infuriating but infallible. This book is a must-read for all Agatha Christie lovers.
To buy/gift The Clocks, click on the below link:
#6 The Cuckoo’s Call by Robert Galbraith
About the book:
Title: The Cuckoo’s Call
Author: Robert Galbraith
Genre: Thriller, suspense, crime fiction
Publisher: Sphere
Type: Standalone
Pages: 550
Goodreads rating: 3.9
Wading into a deep pool of debt, Cormoran Strike’s life is falling apart. A war veteran who works as a private detective, Strike is called to investigate a high-profile case rather unexpectedly. John Bristow believes his adopted sister Lula Landry did not die by suicide and was murdered. A strike is requested to uncover the truth. This quest takes him through the glitzy world of fashion and cinema. Unfortunately, it also puts him in great personal danger. Will Strike get to the truth? Or will he be struck down by those who find him uncomfortably close to the truth?
Why do we recommend this book?
Cormoran Strike is not a typical chivalrous hero. He is a real man with plenty of flaws that endear him to the audience. The character of Robin, which is in sharp contrast to that of Strike, is refreshing. The plot development is excellent, and the ending is a treat for suspense-loving readers. This book is a must-read for detective novels fans.
To buy/gift The Cuckoo’s Call, click on the below link:
#7 Third Girl by Agatha Christie
About the book:
Title: Third Girl
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Thriller, suspense, crime fiction
Publisher: HarperCollins
Type: Standalone
Pages: 289
Goodreads rating: 3.7
An unknown girl approaches Hercule Poirot with a bizarre story. She is doubtful about having committed a murder but changes her mind about seeking help once she realizes Poirot’s age. The concerned detective eventually finds her whereabouts, only to realize that she has disappeared. Poirot investigates the girl’s family and her flatmates, finally discovering the murder and meeting with the girl. The challenge before him is to find out whether the girl is guilty or innocent.
Why do we recommend this book?
This is not the best among Agatha Christie’s crime thrillers. However, the plot is definitely engaging and has a few hair-raising twists. Unfortunately, Norma Restarick’s character evokes no sympathy in the beginning. Nevertheless, the climax of the novel had me rooting for her.
To buy/gift Third Girl, click on the below link:
#8 The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie
About the book:
Title: The Pale Horse
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Thriller, suspense, supernatural, crime fiction
Publisher: HarperCollins
Type: Standalone
Pages: 332
Goodreads rating: 3.8
Murder by magic never seemed possible anywhere except in the Harry Potter world. However, the confession of a dying woman and the murder of an innocent priest raise a few eyebrows. A list of random names is found in the priest’s shoe. All the people on this list are apparently unconnected except by death or the possibility of death. The investigation takes Mark Easterbrook on a sojourn to the Pale Horse. It is an inn occupied by modern-day witches who claim to have the power to kill from a distance. A seance, an underground volunteer, and a valuable hint from a friend put a mark on the right track. He has to solve the mystery of the supernatural deaths before he claims one more life.
Why do we recommend this book?
This book is a fine blend of mystery, logic, and surrealism. The reader is cleverly drawn into believing in the possibility of supernatural deaths. It is impossible to put down this book once you get started. The clash between the rational and the superstitions provides palpable excitement. This book is a must-read for all detective novels lovers.
To buy/gift The Pale Horse, click on the below link:
#9 Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
About the book:
Title: Murder on the Orient Express
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Thriller, suspense, crime fiction, mystery
Publisher: Collins Crime Club
Type: Standalone
Pages: 256
Goodreads rating: 4.2
Hercule Poirot is caught aboard the Orient Express in a snowstorm. A murder occurs in the cabin next to his own, ensuring Poirot gets ‘food’ for his ‘little grey cells. All the passengers aboard the train seem to have alibis. Confusing clues lay scattered across the crime scene. However, a few unusual but apparently meaningless details catch his eye, leading him to interview all the members on the train. Snowed in and waiting, the culprit can’t escape. However, there is one missing person to be accounted for. Is it the killer? Or does he hide amongst the passengers?
Why do we recommend this book?
A classic Hercule Poirot mystery, which appears baffling and unsolvable to the reader. While I was caught up in the generously available clues, Poirot kept his eyes open for unconventional anomalies. The missing person occupied all of my thoughts since the beginning. But the solution to the mystery lay in an entirely different quarter. This book is a must-read for detective novels lovers.
To buy/gift Murder on the Orient Express, click on the below link:
#10 Three Act Tragedy by Agatha Christie
About the book:
Title: Three Act Tragedy
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Thriller, suspense, crime fiction, mystery
Publisher: HarperCollins
Type: Standalone
Pages: 260
Goodreads rating: 3.8
Sir Charles Cartwright is a fantastic host for a party. The blissful gathering turns into a mass of shell-shocked people as one of the guests falls down dead. Death is put down to natural causes, and everyone is satisfied except the host. He firmly believes that Mr. Babbington was murdered. His doubts are dismissed as unnecessary. Until a similar death occurs. This time its murder. Sir Charles and his companions are in a panic. They set out to find the culprit. When Hercule Poirot gets involved, everyone knows that the murderer cannot escape.
Why do we recommend this book?
The plot is beautifully written. It combines the romance of Sir Charles with the grisly investigation of the murders. The similar setting of the two murders and the presence of the same crowd on both occasions points to a serial killer. I recommend this book for its cliffhangers and mind-boggling climax. This book is a must-read for lovers of detective novels.
To buy/gift Three Act Tragedy, click on the below link:
That’s it for all the must-read Detective novels. I hope you enjoy them.
| 1. | Appointment with Death by Agatha Christie | Buy Now |
| 2. | A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle | Buy Now |
| 3. | Lord Edgware Dies by Agatha Christie | Buy Now |
| 4. | One Arranged Murder by Chetan Bhagat | Buy Now |
| 5. | The Clocks by Agatha Christie | Buy Now |
| 6. | The Cuckoo’s Call by Robert Galbraith | Buy Now |
| 7. | Third Girl by Agatha Christie | Buy Now |
| 8. | The Pale Horse by Agatha Christie | Buy Now |
| 9. | Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie | Buy Now |
| 10. | Three Act Tragedy by Agatha Christie | Buy Now |
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