I realised the other day that I've enjoyed lots of murder mystery games and shows, but I've hardly read any mystery novels. The only ones that come to mind are Altered Carbon and some of the Discworld Watch novels (all great!).
Can anyone recommend me some of their favourite books in this genre? I don't really mind the setting, as long as it's a satisfying mystery with a great payoff.
17 Comments
pg_jglr@sh.itjust.works · 13 pts · 2y
Just about any Agatha Christie mystery is worth reading. I personally love the Hercule Poirot and Tommy and Tuppence series. Another series I enjoyed is the Lord Peter Wimsey novels by Dorothy L. Sayers. I guess the narrow genra I usually read is a cozy mystery because it's easy.
drudoo@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
Just finished listening to Murder on the Orient Express narrated by Kenneth Branagh. Wish he would do them all, but so far just two are out (Death on the Nile being the second).
OmegaMouse@feddit.uk · 1 pts · 2y
Do Agatha Christie's series need to be read in any particular order, or are they standalone? I was tempted by And Then There Were None
bogdugg@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 2y
Short answer is it doesn't matter. And Then There Were None is a great starting point.
ElderWendigo@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 2y
They can be order chronologically, but aside from very casual and occasional references to other cases it doesn't matter, each story is entirely self contained.
Oneeightnine@feddit.uk · 7 pts · 2y
I read both of Stuart Turtons mystery novels last year and couldn't recommend them enough.
The Devil and the Dark Water and The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
poppy@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 2y
I read both and enjoyed both, but definitely preferred Hardcastle. Though that could be because I read it in early 2021 with an unidentified case of Covid (false neg) and was kind of in a dream state of exhaustion which made the slightly trippy loop even more engaging. Lol
Oneeightnine@feddit.uk · 2 pts · 2y
Actually I think I preferred Devil in all honesty, although I'm willing to put that down to me having a bit of a thing for stories set on ships.
OmegaMouse@feddit.uk · 1 pts · 2y
Thanks for these suggestions - I hadn't heard of the author. The first one you mentioned has a particularly interesting setting, on an East India ship!
Mbourgon@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 2y
OmegaMouse@feddit.uk · 2 pts · 2y
Many thanks for this list! Some great looking books in there, and I do enjoy the sound of unique sci-fi/fantasy settings
RozhkiNozhki@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. Feels heavy at first but really captivating as you go.
banazir@lemmy.ml · 4 pts · 2y
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins.
shaknais@mastodon.social · 3 pts · 2y
@OmegaMouse The Thursday Murder Club are a cosy something. Lightweight, easy to read, and they've absolutely taken off in the few years they've been out.
oldone@kbin.social · 3 pts · 2y
Agatha Christie's are classics, of course - and Dorothy Sayers - but there are so many variations.
Maybe check out Ann Cleeves, or Andrew Vachss is you prefer darker, or Ruth Rendell and Patricia Highsmith for psychological -
richieadler@lemmy.myserv.one · 2 pts · 2y
The Mystery of the Yellow Room. And if you've read Conan Doyle, and Poe's Dupin stories, you'll enjoy the jabs to both.
techwooded@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 2y
“The Snowman” by Jo Nesbø. Most of the Harry Hole series are pretty great
Senex@reddthat.com · 2 pts · 2y
An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten