Best Literary Mysteries

2296

by
3.86 avg rating — 9,501 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2296

by
3.93 avg rating — 2,145 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2296

by
4.14 avg rating — 2,865 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2296

by
3.72 avg rating — 392,148 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2296

by
3.73 avg rating — 20,248 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2306

by
3.88 avg rating — 1,465 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2306

by
4.02 avg rating — 1,079 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2306

by
3.58 avg rating — 4,790 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2306

by
3.91 avg rating — 39,894 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2306

by
4.40 avg rating — 3,906,090 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2311

by
3.73 avg rating — 1,257 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2311

by
3.85 avg rating — 46,770 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2311

by
4.01 avg rating — 11,779 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2311

by
3.52 avg rating — 48,212 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2311

by
3.78 avg rating — 3,641 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2311

by
4.21 avg rating — 7,302 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2311

by
3.80 avg rating — 2,358 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2311

by
4.26 avg rating — 83,440 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2319

by
3.97 avg rating — 8,092 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2319

by
4.07 avg rating — 77,014 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2319

by
4.04 avg rating — 9,384 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2319

by
3.79 avg rating — 7,643 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2319

by
4.12 avg rating — 4,589 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2319

by
4.06 avg rating — 55,756 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2325

by
3.68 avg rating — 165 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2325

by
4.13 avg rating — 1,179 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2325

by
3.75 avg rating — 49,850 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2325

by
3.81 avg rating — 19,269 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2329

by
3.88 avg rating — 171 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2329

by
3.94 avg rating — 2,166 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2329

by
3.98 avg rating — 42,968 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2329

by
4.18 avg rating — 55 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2329

by
4.17 avg rating — 130,496 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2329

by
4.15 avg rating — 59,046 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2335

by
3.90 avg rating — 40 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2335

by
3.50 avg rating — 22,173 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2335

by
3.95 avg rating — 3,057 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2335

by
3.93 avg rating — 12,097 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2339

by
3.88 avg rating — 5,105 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2339

by
3.90 avg rating — 1,360,977 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2339

by
4.16 avg rating — 336 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2339

by
4.09 avg rating — 30,291 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2339

by
3.91 avg rating — 26,980 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2339

by
3.78 avg rating — 1,704 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2345

by
3.65 avg rating — 2,569 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2345

by
3.86 avg rating — 7,318 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2345

by
3.60 avg rating — 852 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2345

by
3.97 avg rating — 32,455 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2345

by
4.06 avg rating — 124,642 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2345

by
4.12 avg rating — 9,986 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2345

by
3.84 avg rating — 14,907 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2345

by
4.36 avg rating — 38,076 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2353

by
4.07 avg rating — 6,479 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2353

by
4.04 avg rating — 10,358 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2353

by
3.84 avg rating — 2,080 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2353

by
3.70 avg rating — 69,920 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2353

by
3.90 avg rating — 16,593 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2353

by
4.05 avg rating — 1,588 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2359

by
4.06 avg rating — 4,138 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2359

by
3.51 avg rating — 3,994 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2359

by
4.01 avg rating — 264,075 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2359

by
3.96 avg rating — 737 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2359

by
4.10 avg rating — 641,812 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2359

by
4.02 avg rating — 16,478 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2359

by
4.01 avg rating — 30,621 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2366

by
3.65 avg rating — 1,208 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2366

by
3.74 avg rating — 347 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2366

by
4.07 avg rating — 70,117 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2366

by
4.21 avg rating — 26,998 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2366

by
3.95 avg rating — 20,880 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2366

by
4.28 avg rating — 53,631 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2372

by
3.69 avg rating — 61 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2372

by
4.05 avg rating — 48,360 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2374

by
4.30 avg rating — 93 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2374

by
3.64 avg rating — 1,925 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2374

by
3.89 avg rating — 2,637 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2374

by
3.59 avg rating — 112 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2374

by
3.64 avg rating — 175,801 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2374

by
4.02 avg rating — 843 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2374

by
3.82 avg rating — 35,396 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2381

by
3.85 avg rating — 2,667 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2381

by
3.66 avg rating — 62 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2381

by
3.93 avg rating — 175,134 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2384

by
3.52 avg rating — 12,219 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2384

by
3.75 avg rating — 4,166 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2384

by
3.76 avg rating — 87,033 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2384

by
4.14 avg rating — 28,783 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2388

by
3.41 avg rating — 46 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2388

by
3.73 avg rating — 1,077 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2388

by
3.93 avg rating — 1,136 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2388

by
4.19 avg rating — 27,938 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2388

by
3.81 avg rating — 6,767 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2388

by
4.36 avg rating — 46,238 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2394

by
3.72 avg rating — 46 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2394

by
3.71 avg rating — 75 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2394

by
3.62 avg rating — 35,860 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2394

by
4.18 avg rating — 149,569 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2394

by
3.86 avg rating — 2,033 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2399

by
3.81 avg rating — 5,844 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2399

by
3.40 avg rating — 514 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
2,510 books · 4,491 voters · list created October 6th, 2008 by Colleen (votes) .
776 likes · 
Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.


Colleen 1270 books
52 friends
Susanna - Censored by GoodReads 3384 books
853 friends
Greyweather 2660 books
65 friends
Cindy 10623 books
158 friends
Nostromo 367 books
7 friends
Linda 694 books
13 friends
Andrew 917 books
27 friends
Rob 51 books
3 friends

More voters…


Comments Showing 1-13 of 13 (13 new)

dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by Kelly (new)

Kelly I define "literary mystery" as the person who created the list does: mysteries written in the style of quality literature.


message 2: by Foxontherun (new)

Foxontherun Have you seen the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo movie yet? Almost as good as the book. Amazing acting and cinematography, and it stays amazingly faithful to the text.


message 3: by Kamakana (new)

Kamakana Foxontherun wrote: "Have you seen the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo movie yet? Almost as good as the book. Amazing acting and cinematography, and it stays amazingly faithful to the text."

Geniuswaitress wrote: "I define "literary mystery" as the person who created the list does: mysteries written in the style of quality literature."

liked the movie more than the book: shorter, more intense, and less fantasy- subtlety not required, images can cover same plot mechanics quickly, images indelible, characters iconic rather than pages of description


message 4: by Ramona (new)

Ramona Long Great reading list!


message 5: by Lori (new)

Lori I have 'mysteries written in the style of quality literature' as well as literature that happens to have a mystery. I also only have one book per author.


message 6: by Amanda (new)

Amanda Thoughts on adding Louise Penny's "Inspector Armand Gamache" series to this list?


message 7: by Sandra (new)

Sandra Wilson I agree that Louise Penny's novels should be added to literary mystery category. They are wonderfully complex with intriguing motifs.


message 8: by Sue (new)

Sue Waymire Sandra wrote: "I agree that Louise Penny's novels should be added to literary mystery category. They are wonderfully complex with intriguing motifs."

I voted for a couple of her books; surprised they are not on the list!


message 10: by Sheila (new)

Sheila Asselin Have read all I voted for. Love PD James a d Eco. My favorite genre. Sheila


message 11: by MElisabeth (new)

MElisabeth Bergeron What about Nicci French? Or more by Elizabeth George? Or the series featuring Emma Graham by Martha Grimes? All of these are high on my list.


message 12: by Greg (new)

Greg Hickey Great list! For the best literary mysteries based on a variety of sources like curated lists from The Guardian, Book Riot and more, suggestions from readers on Goodreads and Library Thing, and picks from literary mystery authors like Mark Haddon, Jenny Milchman, Laurie R. King and Derek B. Miller, check out The 112 Best Literary Mysteries at https://www.greghickeywrites.com/best....

Plus, download two special bonus features:
1. The favorite literary mysteries and crime novels from nine contemporary mystery and crime authors
2. A one-page PDF shopping guide to The Best Literary Mysteries and Crime Novels

Happy reading!


message 13: by Greg (new)

Greg Hickey Greg wrote: "Great list! For the best literary mysteries based on a variety of sources like curated lists from The Guardian, Book Riot and more, suggestions from readers on Goodreads and Library Thing, and pick..."

Here’s an update to that list with The Best Literary Mysteries of 2019: https://www.greghickeywrites.com/best....


back to top



Related News

  At the beginning of each calendar month, Goodreads’ crack editorial squad assembles a list of the hottest and most popular new books...

Anyone can add books to this list.