Crime and mystery novels to read

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Three crime and mystery novels that many readers rate highly — each one a first volume or a book that stands alone.

1. 
   Crime and PunishmentFyodor Dostoyevsky · 1866 · 482 pages8.5/10 · 1,928 ratingsDostoyevsky’s “Crime and Punishment” belongs on a crime list as the story of a conscience under strain: dark, thoughtful and deeply moving.
2. 
   And Then There Were NoneAgatha Christie · 1939 · 224 pages8.4/10 · 2,672 ratingsChristie at her darkest: ten people stranded on an island by a storm, each hiding a secret, their host nowhere to be seen.
3. 
   A Good Girl's Guide to MurderHolly Jackson · 2019 · 432 pages8.3/10 · 1,537 ratingsA Good Girl's Guide to Murder · book 1 of 3

Short reads: under 300 pages

For a weekend or a commute. 25 of the rated crime and mystery novels are this short; these score best.

1. 
   A Study in ScarletArthur Conan Doyle · 1887 · 171 pages8.0/10 · 1,431 ratingsSherlock Holmes novels · book 1 of 4
2. 
   Crooked HouseAgatha Christie · 1949 · 224 pages7.8/10 · 219 ratings
3. 
   Everything I Never Told YouCeleste Ng · 2014 · 297 pages7.7/10 · 660 ratings
4. 
   The Red House MysteryA. A. Milne · 1922 · 211 pages7.7/10 · 57 ratings

Series worth starting

The first volume of each series, with the full reading order one click away.

1. 
   The Thursday Murder ClubRichard Osman · 2020 · 384 pages7.7/10 · 1,381 ratingsThursday Murder Club · book 1 of 5 · Reading order →
2. 
   The Shadow of the WindCarlos Ruiz Zafón · 20018.3/10 · 1,176 ratingsThe Cemetery of Forgotten Books · book 1 of 4 · Reading order →
3. 
   The NaturalsJennifer Lynn Barnes · 20137.9/10 · 318 ratingsThe Naturals · book 1 of 4 · Reading order →
4. 
   The Cuckoo's CallingRobert Galbraith · 20137.7/10 · 828 ratingsCormoran Strike · book 1 of 8 · Reading order →

New in 2025 and 2026

The best-rated new books with at least 50 reader ratings.

1. 
   The River Is WaitingWally Lamb · 20257.9/10 · 50 ratings
2. 
   The GhostwriterJulie Clark · 20257.8/10 · 87 ratings
3. 
   King of AshesS. A. Cosby · 2025 · 352 pages7.8/10 · 122 ratings
4. 
   This Story Might Save Your LifeTiffany Crum · 2026 · 345 pages7.8/10 · 97 ratings

Classics from before 1976

Still read, still rated: the older books that hold up best.

1. 
   The Woman in WhiteWilkie Collins · 1860 · 565 pages7.8/10 · 218 ratings
2. 
   The Murder at the VicarageAgatha Christie · 1930 · 289 pages7.8/10 · 425 ratingsMiss Marple · book 1 of 12

Liked this? Try that

Pairs from our similarity data: the same kind of story, a different author.

How long are the rated crime and mystery novels?

157 of 200 rated titles with a known page count. Largest group: 300–499 pages.

Questions readers ask