– John Banville
When you open a mystery novel, what are your expectations from it? Possibly that it will be an exciting story that will keep you wondering who the culprit is. However, the best mystery books are those that offer subtle clues along the way and bring out the inner detective in you. Maybe, the best feeling when reading a crime novel is being faced with an adequately complex puzzle and yet still being able to jump up and shout “I knew it!” when the final reveal comes around.
A good homicide case will consistently rank high on a list of mystery novels, where an unexpected character would be killing everyone in his way of revenge or justice, but other stories also have their qualities. From crime books to spying crusades, here are the seven best crime and mystery books that you cannot miss out on if you’re looking for twisted stories to keep you on the edge of your sofa.
1. The Nighthawk Quadrilogy by C. Edgar North
C. Edgar North’s epic Nighthawk quadrilogy is a set of remarkable crime mystery books. With mounting suspense and unpredictable twists, this has to be number one on the list. The series includes the following four books:
Nighthawk Crossing: The first book in the series introduces us to an intricate web of drugs and weapons smuggling carried out by a group of Native American Indians led by a chieftain, Joseph Branson, with a Navy SEAL background. The story takes a spin when two FBI agents are shot dead by the smugglers. The hunt for the killers uncovers drug and gun distribution networks in America and a sinister plan to supply a secret weapon to Al-Qaida and the Taliban.
Nighthawk: African Ice: The second book in the series shows Joseph Branson escaping with his wife Hazel to the Maldives and reuniting with his partner in crime, who happens to be a notorious arms merchant. The CIA watches as they trade weapons for raw diamonds obtained from the conflict zones of Africa.
Nighthawk: Chief Hazel: The third book has Hazel Branson taking over the family smuggling business in the pacific. However, when North Koreans abduct her daughter and force her into smuggling terrorists into America, Joseph returns and teams up with the FBI and CIA to ruin the North Korean plot.
Nighthawk: The Deacon: The final book in the series is about Brian West, a genius socio-psychopath who worked for the CIA and Canadian Intelligence during the Cold War. When he passes away, his former handlers throw a private celebration on a yacht in the Florida Keys to reflect on his experiences, from his childhood to his extraordinary espionage jobs.
2. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
It’s not possible to talk about mystery novels without instantly thinking of the legendary Agatha Christie. Amongst all of her crime mystery books, none has a story quite as perfectly crafted as ‘And Then There Were None’, which explains why it is the best-selling mystery book of all time.
The book follows ten individuals brought together to an empty mansion on an island for various reasons. The mysterious hosts of this odd party are not present but left directions for two of the ten to tend the house as the housekeeper and cook. As the days unfold in harmony with the lyrics of a nursery rhyme, each invitee is forced to face the music and bear the consequences of their disturbing pasts, as death will come for them one by one.
3. The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
Raymond Chandler’s idea of crime mystery books strays from resolutions. For him, it’s less about the complicated plot and more about the atmosphere and characters. As such, The Big Sleep is no ordinary story. Private investigator Philip Marlowe gets hired to investigate the blackmailing of Carmen Sternwood, the second daughter of a wealthy general. The more he digs into this messy business, the more complex the story gets. Carmen continues to be extorted by others in a web of surprising relations between the characters.
Chandler’s work is complex, his characters are multi-faceted, and his language rich with feelings of the tragedy about to fall on this family. While the signs he drops are not precisely there to help you find out “who did it”, it will give you a threatening awareness that makes it hard to put the book down.
4. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Maybe better recognized by its major motion picture adaptation, Gone Girl is the ultimate mystery puzzle for the modern media age. Devoted wife Amy’s sudden missing throws Nick Dunne into a hailstorm of doubt. From Amy’s parents and friends to the detectives, everyone believes that Nick is somehow accountable. Eventually, Nick himself becomes aware of how his wife saw him, as well as how little he knows of her when her stories emerge from friends he’s never heard of.
Even if you’ve failed to keep the media buzz about the movie adaptation from spoiling it for you, the experience of reading the minds of these unpredictable narrators is well worth giving the book a shot.
5. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Truman Capote’s masterpiece is based on a real-life case that has been dealt with, so you might think there’s no mystery left for you in this one. However, that couldn’t be more wrong because ‘In Cold Blood’ is a fact-based novel often cited as one of the best-selling crime books of all time.
Capote had closely monitored the investigation of a quadruple murder in Kansas. He had also conducted extensive interviews with the two murderers. As a result, his book is filled with plot twists you would never see coming.
6. Woman in White by Wilkie Collin
‘Woman in White’ follows what first appears to be a simple story of two unlucky lovers, Walter Hartright and Laura Fairlie, not meant to be together. Laura, engaged to Sir Percival Glyde, is strangely warned not to proceed with the marriage. Meanwhile, the city is obsessed by the story of a strange woman roaming the streets dressed in white.
7. Big Little Lies by Liana Moriarty
Single mother Jane sends her son to kindergarten and becomes friends with two mothers. Along with their friendships is a collection of family dramas, from abusive husbands to dark pasts. Jane doesn’t know, but there’s a part of her past that fits into this wild puzzle. Out of all the crime and mystery books, this one will keep you hooked.
These crime and mystery books will introduce you to the feeling, the delightful thrill of not being able to put a book down, of not having a clue where the plot is heading, and loving every flip of the page as you head toward the shocking finale.
