I adore a good mystery. As a kid, I devoured Agatha Christie (perhaps not age-appropriate, but what can you do?), and my love for this genre continued as I grew older. I love it in any form of media, but there’s something special about reading a mystery classic, with the world from long ago being depicted so vibrantly and so effectively.
So, in case you’re like me and love noir, whodunnits and hard-boiled detective novels, below you’ll find classics to suit your tastes.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
This is a famously good mystery that follows Hercule Poirot as he investigates the mysterious murder of wealthy businessman Roger Ackroyd in a quiet English village. When Ackroyd is found dead in his study shortly after receiving a disturbing letter, Poirot begins uncovering a web of secrets, blackmail, and hidden motives among the suspects.
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
The Hound of the Baskervilles follows Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they investigate the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville, whose family is said to be cursed by a terrifying supernatural hound. When the new heir, Sir Henry Baskerville, arrives at the family estate, strange events suggest that the legendary creature may be more than just a story. If you want a good starting point for Shelock Holmes, this is my favorite pick!
Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
If you like detective stories and noir, with jazz clubs and mysteries and all that, I highly recommend Devil in a Blue Dress. In this story, Easy Rawlins is a war veteran recently fired from his job, and as he’s drowning his sorrows at a bar, he’s approached by a mysterious man who tasks him with finding an elusive woman named Daphne Monet.
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
I love noir fiction and movies, and Raymond Chandler especally, so I can’t recommend this book enough. The Big Sleep follows hard-boiled private detective Philip Marlowe as he is hired by a wealthy Los Angeles family to deal with a blackmail threat. What begins as a relatively straightforward case quickly turns into a tangled investigation involving murder, missing people, corruption, and dangerous secrets.
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
Our main character, Tom Ripley is hired by a wealthy man to go to Italy, find his son, and get him to come back to America. And Tom does find him (Dickie), but things don’t go as planned. He’s charmed by him and his lifestyle, so much so that he wants to be him. Obviously, it turns dark.
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
Another classic of detective fiction, The Maltese Falcon follows private detective Sam Spade as he becomes entangled in a dangerous hunt for a statue of Maltese Falcon. After his partner is murdered, Spade finds himself surrounded by a group of ruthless criminals, con artists, and double-crossers, all desperate to get their hands on the mysterious artifact.
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
I do so love Wilkie Collins’ body of work, and because this just might be one of the first (if not the first) detective novels, it earns its spot. In this book, a soldier steals a yellow diamond from a Hindu idol before he escapes to England, and fifty years later, the diamond is given to his niece Rachel for her birthday. But by next morning the diamond is gone and everyone is confused. It’s really fun and explores some themes well, while also employing some mystery novel tropes that we still know and love today.
The 39 Steps by John Buchan
If you love spy thrillers, try this classic of the genre. Richard Hannay, an adventurer just returned from South Africa to London is accused of murder of a man he was harboring in his apartment. He flees to Scotland where he must uncover what’s going on and prevent the disaster that could create a war.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
This is kind of horrory, kind of moody and gothic, but there’s a bit of a mystery to it as well. This famous story follows the respectable Dr. Henry Jekyll, who becomes obsessed with separating the good and evil sides of human nature. After creating a mysterious potion, he transforms into the cruel and violent Edward Hyde, allowing his darker impulses to run free. As Hyde’s actions become increasingly disturbing, Jekyll struggles to control the terrifying alter ego he has unleashed.
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
In Cold Blood is a chilling true-crime account of the brutal 1959 murder of the Clutter family in rural Kansas. Capote reconstructs the lives of the victims, the investigation into their deaths, and the experiences of the two men responsible, exploring the motives, circumstances, and psychological aftermath of the crime.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
This is one of the most defining works of mystery fiction, and so worth reading. Ten complete strangers are summoned to an island by a mysterious rich man and the only thing they have in common is that they all have sordid secrets. There’s a nursery rhyme in every room, and soon they discover that they’re being murdered, one by one, in much the same way. Who will survive?
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
I couldn’t decide where this amazing book belongs on this list because it has a little bit of everything, but I settled on mystery because there’s revenge and crime and it’s incredibly satisfying seeing it all come together. So, a young sailor who has everything going for him (a new job, a girl he loves and plans to marry), gets reported for a crime he didn’t commit by three jealous men. He’s put into prison where he stews and comes up with a diabolical plan to get back at the people who wronged him.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ve found your next favorite crime and mystery book on this list. And if you have, I highly recommend diving deeper into that author’s catalogue. For example, Agatha Christie has dozens of books, and so does Raymond Chandler, plus you can find more Shelock Holmes adventures. If none of these suited your tastes, leave a comment below and I’ll do my best to give you a personalized recommendation.
And if you prefer to browse on your own, here are some pages to start with:
- There are some excelent mystery-adjacent books in my classic gothic books roundup.
- And some good contemporary ones in my romantic suspense book list.
- If you’re entirely new to classics, try some beginner-friendly classic books.
- And if you want something challenging, try these philosophical classics.
- I also wrote about the best romance classic books, in case you’re interested.
What’s your favorite mystery classic book? Let me know in the comments and let’s chat!
