Best Detective Books

A master of the 'hard-boiled' detective novel, Raymond Chandler introduced readers to Philip Marlowe, a streetwise and heroic private eye, in his first novel, The Big Sleep. With his articulate and literary writing style, Chandler won over a wide audience, from the everyday person to the intellectual elite. Selected as one of Time Magazine's All-Time 100 Novels, this book will keep you on your toes from the very first sentence.

Discover a thrilling murder mystery that combines family saga, love story, and financial intrigue in one complex yet atmospheric novel. Follow journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the enigmatic hacker Lisbeth Salander as they delve deep into a dark world of corruption to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of a wealthy family scion over 40 years ago. Don't miss out on this satisfyingly entertaining read.

Disappearances, unsolved mysteries, and psychological suspense combine to make this debut novel a must-read. Set in Dublin, the story begins with the disappearance of three children in the woods, and only one is found alive. Fast forward twenty years and the detective on the case, who was the found boy, is investigating a murder in the same woods that bears striking similarities to the past case. With his own murky past resurfacing, the detective must piece together long-buried memories to solve both mysteries. A beautifully written and chilling thriller that will leave you guessing until the very end.

This classic mystery novel follows detective Hercule Poirot as he investigates a murder on the luxurious and snowbound Orient Express. With a locked compartment and a dozen stab wounds, Poirot must solve the case before the killer strikes again.

A thrilling exploration of a marriage gone wrong from one of the most acclaimed suspense writers of our time. When the clever and beautiful wife of a small-town golden boy disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary, the pressure mounts as rumors fly and suspicions rise. With razor-sharp writing and intricate plot twists, this dark psychological thriller will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Enter the eerie moors of Devon where a supernatural creature haunts the Baskerville family. When Sir Charles Baskerville dies suddenly, Dr. Mortimer believes it to be the work of a vicious hound with blazing eyes and jaws. To protect Charles' heir, Sir Henry, from the same fate, Sherlock Holmes is called upon to investigate the Baskerville curse, a legacy of death and mayhem that has plagued the family for centuries. Will Holmes be able to uncover the truth before it's too late?

Private investigator Sam Spade takes on a case to find a missing woman, but soon discovers that his client is not who she seems. When Spade's partner is murdered, he becomes both the hunter and the hunted in the search for a valuable and deadly treasure. Will he be able to outsmart those who want him dead?

An island mansion off the Devon coast is the setting for a thrilling mystery. Ten strangers, lured by a mysterious host, soon find themselves accused of having guilty secrets. As they are stranded by a violent storm, they begin to die off one by one. Who is the killer, and will anyone survive?

A black Texas Ranger faces his own conflicted feelings about growing up in East Texas when he must return home to solve two murders that stir up racial tension in a small town. As his job is put in jeopardy and he risks his life to save himself, he must navigate the town's deep-rooted racial divides before it's too late.

This gripping nonfiction book explores the brutal murder of a Kansas family and the subsequent investigation, trial, and execution of the killers. With meticulous detail and astounding empathy, Truman Capote reconstructs the events and personalities surrounding the crime, including the truly chilling young killers. In Cold Blood is a masterful example of literary journalism that will leave readers breathless.