If you’re a fan of mind-bending puzzles and compelling characters, then mystery novels are perfect reading material for you. From Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic Sherlock Holmes to modern-day thrillers, the genre has never lost its popularity. This article lists the top ten mystery novels that will keep you on the edge of your seat. From the psychological thriller Gone Girl to the classic whodunit Murder on the Orient Express, these literary works will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew. So take your pick and get ready for a journey into the unknown.
The Top 10 Mystery Novels That Will Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat
Mystery novels have been popular since the days of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. These literary works are filled with mind-bending puzzles and compelling characters that keep readers hooked from beginning to end. If you are a fan of this genre, then these ten mystery novels should be on your reading list. From old-school whodunits to modern thrillers, we have everything covered here.
1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a masterful thriller that will keep you up all night. The novel follows the story of an investigative journalist named Mikael Blomkvist who joins forces with a tattooed computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander to solve a decades-old mystery. Together, they uncover a web of corruption and danger that threatens to destroy them both.
2. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Gone Girl is a psychological thriller that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew. The novel follows the story of a young couple named Nick and Amy Dunne whose marriage falls apart under the shadow of suspicion. When Amy goes missing, all fingers point to Nick as the prime suspect. But as the investigation unfolds, dark secrets and twisted motives come to light.
3. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Murder on the Orient Express is a timeless classic that never fails to impress. The novel tells the story of a murder that takes place on a luxurious train bound for Calais. Det. Hercule Poirot is called upon to solve the case, and what follows is a web of deceit, betrayal, and murder. This mystery novel is a must-read for any fan of the genre.
4. The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
The Silence of the Lambs is a chilling masterpiece that will haunt you long after you finish reading it. The novel follows the story of Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee who is tasked with interviewing a notorious cannibal named Hannibal Lecter. As she delves deeper into the mind of this psychopath, she realizes that her own life is in peril.
5. In the Woods by Tana French
In the Woods is a stunning debut by Tana French that is sure to impress. The novel follows the story of Rob Ryan, a detective who is haunted by a childhood trauma that he cannot remember. When a missing child case takes him back to the woods where he suffered that trauma, he discovers that the past is not so easy to escape.
6. The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
The Talented Mr. Ripley is a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. The novel follows the story of Tom Ripley, a sociopathic conman who is hired to retrieve a wealthy man’s son. But as Tom gets closer to his target, he begins to lose himself in a dangerous game of obsession and deception.
7. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
The Da Vinci Code is a puzzle-filled adventure that will take you on a journey through history and religion. The novel follows the story of Robert Langdon, a professor who is called upon to solve the murder of a Louvre curator. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he discovers a secret that could change the course of human history.
8. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
And Then There Were None is another masterpiece by Agatha Christie that you should not miss. The novel follows the story of ten strangers who are invited to an isolated island. When they start getting killed off one by one, they realize that the killer is among them. This mystery novel is a thrilling rollercoaster ride that will keep you guessing until the very end.
9. The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
The Big Sleep is a classic noir mystery that is a must-read for any fan of the genre. The novel follows the story of private detective Philip Marlowe, who is hired by a wealthy family to investigate a blackmail scheme. As he delves deeper into the case, he discovers a web of corruption and violence that threatens to consume him.
10. Mystic River by Dennis Lehane
Mystic River is a dark and gripping thriller that will leave you breathless. The novel follows the story of three childhood friends who are reunited by a tragedy that threatens to tear their lives apart. As they try to understand what happened and why, they discover that the past is never really gone.
Conclusion
These ten mystery novels are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. From classic whodunits to modern thrillers, they span different eras and styles. But what they all have in common is the ability to keep readers hooked from beginning to end. So pick up one of these books and get ready for a journey into the unknown.