20 Classic Murder Mystery Books to Test Out Your Detective Skills

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I don't know about you, but I like to think of myself as an amateur detective of sorts. I mean, once you've watched enough true crime and read enough mystery books, that's basically the same thing as having trained to be a full-on investigator, right?? Now, on the book front, there's nothing more exciting (and sometimes a lil' scary) to try to solve than a murder mystery. Looking for any hints dropped throughout the book to figure out who dunnit is half the fun, and when you get it right, you get a little okay, massive thrill, and basically fell like you could single-handedly take down crime in your city.

The murder mystery genre is one that's been around for quite some time—like, hundreds of years—which means there are plenty of well-established classics out there. From the most iconic detective in literature history, Sherlock Holmes, to the many stories written by the queen of mystery, Agatha Christie, there are endless stories filled with twists and turns to jump into. So dust off your magnifying glass and strap on your best detective hat, because here are 20 classic murder mystery books that are basically required reading for any at-home sleuth.

"A Study in Scarlet," by Arthur Conan Doyle

The very first book featuring Sherlock Holmes and his right-hand man Dr. John Watson is an iconic one. Not only will you get to see how the two men came together at 221B Baker Street, but you get to join them as they solve their first crime together, the murder of a man from Ohio, Enoch Drebber.

"Murder on the Orient Express," by Agatha Christie

When you think of classic murder mystery books, Murder on the Orient Express is one that comes to mind instantly. Picture this: a hazardous snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks in the middle of the night. Come sunrise, millionaire Samuel Edward Ratchett is found stabbed to death in his cabin, which has been locked from the inside. With the only possible suspects being the other passengers onboard, detective Hercule Poirot is on the case.

"The Maltese Falcon," by Dashiell Hammett

Set in 1920s San Francisco, private investigator Sam Spade becomes entangled in a quest for a sought-after treasure—a golden bird covered with jewels—after his partner is murdered. With the book written entirely in external third-person, meaning you never read what any of the characters are thinking, it's one that really keeps you guessing.

"The Silence of the Lambs," by Thomas Harris

You may already be familiar with the movie version starring Jodie Foster, but the book that it's based on is well worth a read. The FBI is trying to crack the case of the serial killer known as Buffalo Bill and, to her surprise, trainee Clarice Starling is chosen to go interview cannibalistic murderer Dr. Hannibal Lecter. She's tasked with gathering insights into the mind of a killer that could help the FBI uncover the identity of Buffalo Bill and stop him before he kills again.

"The Big Sleep," by Raymond Chandler

Private detective Philip Marlowe finds himself having to dive into the seedy underbelly of 1930s LA when he's hired by a millionaire family to deal with one of the daughters (who's a bit on the wilder side) being blackmailed. The book is filled with secrets, characters double-crossing one another, and, yes, murder.

"The Da Vinci Code," by Dan Brown

A newer addition to the murder mystery classics, it's one that'll not only have you guessing, but have you looking at Da Vinci's artwork in a whole new way. After Louvre curator Jacques Saunière is shot dead inside the museum, symbologist Robert Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveu become involved in the investigation. They get caught up in a battle between two secretive Catholic groups searching for the Holy Grail and along the way, uncover a new religious history.

"The Name of the Rose," by Umberto Eco

This book takes you back, wayyy back to Italy in the year 1374. As Brother William of Baskerville is investigating accusations of heresy at an abbey, a string of weird deaths start happening. He puts his sleuthing skills to the test, looking for evidence, decoding symbols, and unscrambling confusing manuscripts, all to try to find the killer.

"And Then There Were None," by Agatha Christie

This is one of the best-selling books in the world, and for good reason: it's so damn intriguing. Eight guests are invited to an isolated mansion on an island, but the host isn't anywhere to be seen—just the butler and cook are there. Cut off from the rest of the world, the guests begin to share their own dark secrets, and soon, begin dying one by one.

"'A' is for Alibi," by Sue Grafton

Former cop turned private investigator Kinsey Millhone is no stranger to trying to solve lost causes. So when Nikki Fife, a woman who, eight years ago, was convicted of killing her husband, approaches Kinsey to try to find the real killer and clear her name, Kinsey dives into the investigation, finding not only more suspects but more victims too.

"Strong Poison," by Dorothy L. Sayers

Written almost 100 years ago, this book seriously holds up in holding your interest. The premise: mystery author Harriet Vane is on trial for the murder of her former lover, and to save herself from a deadly conviction, she joins forces with private investigator Lord Peter Wimsey to prove her innocence.

"The Glass Key," by Dashiell Hammett

Paul Madvig may be a corrupt politico, but he's got his sights set high, more specifically, on the daughter of Senator Ralph Bancroft Henry, the heiress of a political dynasty. But when the senator's son ends up dead, Madvig is the prime suspect. Ned Beaumont, Madvig's friend and troubleshooter, gets pulled in, going on a journey full of twists and turns trying to clear his friend's name.

"Death and the Dancing Footman," by Ngaio Marsi

The fittingly named Jonathan Royal is incredibly wealthy (and incredibly awful) so his idea of funsies is throwing a party for a bunch of people who hate each other. But when a blizzard hits trapping them all in Royal's country house, murder strikes. Inspector Alleyn makes his way onto the scene, trying to suss out who in the house could be responsible.

"The Murder of Roger Ackroyd," by Agatha Christie

Another Agatha Christie classic, the title really explains it all: it's about the murder of Roger Ackroyd. His wife killed herself after being blackmailed by a mysterious person, and just as he's sitting in his study reading a piece of mail that says who the blackmailer is, he's stabbed through the neck. Intrigue!

"To Study A Long Silence," by V.C. Clinton-Baddeley

Dr. Davie is invited to a performance at the Winston School of Dramatic Art, but as the actors return for their curtain call, one of them is missing. He's been killed in the wings of the theatre, just as he was due to be on stage. Davie jumps into detective mode, taking on the investigation and following it wherever it leads him.

"The Red House Mystery," by A. A. Milne

Who doesn't love a whodunnit? Mark Ablett is having a nice little house party with an eclectic group of people when his long-lost brother turns up and, not too long after, is found dead from a gunshot to the head. Mark disappears and Tony Gillingham, who came by to see a friend who was at the party, decides to investigate.

"The Hound of the Baskervilles," by Arthur Conan Doyle

In this Sherlock Holmes adventure, he and Dr. Watson investigate a legendary demonic hound that's supposedly caused the death of many heirs of the Baskerville family. It seems like quite the unbelievable story, until Sir Charles Baskerville turns up dead with giant paw prints found not too far away.

"Presumed Innocent," by Scott Turow

When one of the top prosecutors in Kindle County takes on a shocking case (the murder of his former lover) things take a bit of a turn as he ends up accused of the crime. As his entire life is put on display, it opens up a world of betrayal, love, and plenty of mystery.

"The Moving Toyshop," by Edmund Crispin

You know when you get an advance from your book publisher and decide to spend it taking a vacation in Oxford so you can relax and visit friends? Well Richard Cadogan tries to do that, but instead ends up involved in mysterious adventure full of thrilling (and scary) twists and turns.

"The Murder at the Vicarage," by Agatha Christie

In the world of Agatha Christie, nowhere is safe from murder, not even a holy vicarage. When the widely hated Colonel Protheroe is found shot dead in the vicar's study, investigator Miss Marple gets on the case, carefully untangling a web of mysteries that will (hopefully) reveal the identity of the killer.

"The Thin Man," by Dahiell Hammett

It's Christmastime in New York City in 1932, and Nick Charles thinks he's finally put his sleuthing days behind him. That is, until a former acquaintance, Julia Wolf, is found dead. He and his wife Nora (who are both full of wisecracks) end up looking into the murder and its number one suspect: Julia's lover Clyde Miller Wynant.

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