Top 7 Murder Mystery Novels

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It’s getting cold out there. Some parts of the UK have even seen a little bit of snow which means it’s definitely a time for staying in, getting cosy and settling down with a good book. And nothing makes for a fantastic reading session more than a murder mystery novel.

So here are our top picks of page-turning, thrilling crime drama novels. We guarantee you won’t be able to put them down.

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Travelling on the Orient Express, one of the most famous train journeys of all, Belgian detective Hercule Poirot takes on the challenge of solving the mysterious murder of a man who seems to have been at odds with most of the other passengers onboard. A dazzling array of intriguing characters and motives are enough to keep this evergreen novel by Christie a firm favourite on the crime fiction bookshelf.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Launched into worldwide popularity by the film adaptation, this slick suburban thriller of seduction and betrayal held pole-position on the UK hardcover book chart for 20 weeks. Three women narrate their stories in the first-person narrative, seemingly separate from each other’s lives. Or are their lives more intertwined than they realise? If you’ve already read this novel, why not try reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn which has a similar suburban-life tone.

Adam Dalgliesh Mysteries by PD James

This series of books follows Adam Dalgliesh, a Scotland Yard detective with a penchant for writing poetry as he solves a series of intricate crimes across the UK. The novels also explore Dalgliesh’s personal experience of bereavement and loss in these sensitively handled works of murder mystery fiction.

The Pier Falls by Mark Haddon

The first of Haddon’s short story collections, The Pier Falls is a compilation of stories which The Sunday Times said as “…The real redemption in these superbly gripping stories comes from their canny human detail, and the vivid, unsettling clarity they bring to our lives.” Need we say more?

A Time to Kill by John Grisham

This time it’s not a detective, but a lawyer living in the deep and sultry southern state of Mississippi who is on the trail of solving a crime in this racially-charged semi-autobiographical novel from popular author Grisham. Adult themes throughout.

Once upon a Crime- a murder most unladylike collection by Robin Stevens

If you’re looking to introduce children to the world of crime fiction, these best-selling popular stories revolve around friends Daisy and Hazel who frequently find themselves in the position of crime-busting in al sorts of unlikely situations. Award-winning writing from Stevens will have your young people hooked on this short-story collection.

The Thief by Fuminori Nakamura

Stylishly moody, a petty thief who operates on Tokyo’s inhospitable streets finds himself striking up a relationship with a young woman and her son. But his past keeps coming back to pull him back into a life he just can’t seem to shake off. This slick, quick read is perfect for those who like a little bit of noir and prose injected into their crime fiction reading.

If you’ve been inspired by our 7 best murder mystery novels, you can get your mystery fix LIVE by booking tickets to the best mystery show to hit the UK ‘The curious incident of the dog in the night-time’ .

Adapted from the same-titled novel by Mark Haddon (whose book The Pier Falls we recommend above) this award-winning crime fiction show which follows the story of a young person Christopher who is on a mission to solve a murder mystery. This is sure to delight anyone who is a fan of a crime fiction play or a crime fiction show. One of the best mystery plays theatre has to offer.

For more information or to book click here.