Mystery books are incredibly satisfying. They often feel like scratching an itch inside your brain, and they can provide endless entertainment.
I can’t quite remember the first time I was handed a mystery novel, but I can almost guarantee it was the Mandie series by Lois Gladys Leppard. I ate those books up as a kid, and remember feeling devastated when I finished them all, and thought that no book or series would ever bring me that kind of satisfaction again. It wasn’t until adulthood, when I picked up a few mystery novels, that I discovered how much I still enjoy the genre and how many incredible stories are out there for me to puzzle my way through.
I’ve realized over time that I tend not to enjoy thrillers very much, but if a story has a really compelling mystery, I’m hooked. It can sometimes be challenging to find a good middle ground—something that isn’t scary, but still holds my attention and gets my brain going. I’m excited about these 12 mystery books and series that I have read and loved enough to share with you! These have passed my personal mystery book litmus test and definitely deserve all the hype.
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12 Mystery Books That Will Keep You Totally Hooked
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A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer (A SCYTHE Mystery #1)
by Maxie Dara
This was such a unique twist on a contemporary murder mystery. If you enjoy books like My Roommate is a Vampire or The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches (both contemporary fantasy novels), you’ll probably enjoy the fantasy elements in this mystery! It was packed with tons of fun, intrigue, and heart.
Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Dial A for Aunties (Aunties #1)
by Jesse Q. Sutanto
When the main character accidentally kills her blind date, she has to enlist the help of her incredibly eccentric (and nosy) family to hide the body. This book had me laughing out loud from beginning to end, and the rest of the series is just as entertaining.
Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore
by Robin Sloan
I’m really glad I took a chance on this one, because if I’d gone purely based on the synopsis, I never would’ve picked it up. But one of my best friends said that I’d enjoy it, and I did. There’s something more to this bookstore than just selling books, and the main character has to figure it out. It piques your curiosity instantly and keeps it until the very end.
Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
One Death at a Time (A Mason & Mann Mystery #1)
by Abbi Waxman
I’ve loved all of Abbi’s contemporary romance novels so much, and I was thrilled to find out that she was taking her witty writing to the mystery side. This book was packed with dark comedy, tons of characters that you’ll love to hate (or hate to love), and mysteries layered on mysteries.
Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Spells for Forgetting
by Adrienne Young
This novel is dark, moody, mysterious, and just a bit fantastical. There are so many elements woven together in this atmospheric story that you’ll begin to believe you’re part of the narrative, rather than just reading a book.
Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
The Golden Spoon
by Jessa Maxwell
If you’re a fan of The Great British Bake Off, but you want an Agatha Christie-esque murder mystery at the same time, you’ll absolutely love this tale. It will have you thinking it’s predictable as heck, and then completely shock you with a twist! I didn’t want it to end.
Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
The Inheritance Games (The Inheritance Games #1)
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
This entire series is fantastic, as are its connected novels. Imagine Knives Out, but make it young adult, and add SO MUCH MORE story to it. I have never, not once, been bored while reading one of the books in this collection. My mind just doesn’t take a break, constantly trying to solve puzzles and sort out clues. Definitely one of the best mystery book series I’ve ever read.
Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
The Lost Apothecary
by Sarah Penner
In this dual-timeline story, you’ll wonder how and when the past and present connect throughout the book. It’s filled with female rage and vengeance, suspense, and hidden legacies. And while not specifically categorized as a mystery, its sister novel, The London Séance Society, is equally fascinating.
Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
The Unmaking of June Farrow
by Adrienne Young
Look, if you know me, you know I’m absolutely enamored by magical realism, and this book is on another level—another plane of existence—when it comes to how well it combines magical realism and mystery. I literally didn’t want to put it down, and the more I read, the more I needed to know how the characters break the ancestral curse. It will make you cry, so bring tissues, but also be prepared for a wild, mysterious ride!
Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Truly Devious (Truly Devious #1)
by Maureen Johnson
When a true crime-obsessed student has the opportunity to attend a school that’s famous for an unsolved murder, she sets her mind to cracking the case herself. Shortly after she arrives, a mysterious death occurs again at the academy, giving her two murders to solve while also adjusting to some unconventional living arrangements. This entire series is fast-paced, witty, and sharp. I loved every moment!
Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers (Vera Wong #1)
by Jesse Q. Sutanto
If you want to laugh so hard your belly hurts while a little old lady solves a murder, this one is for you. It’s cozy, cute, and creative. If you enjoyed Dial A for Aunties, you’ll love the similar tones and humor in this series. Also, you’ll walk away from this craving a really good cup of tea.
Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Where’d You Go, Bernadette
by Maria Semple
Do you ever finish a book and think, “What on earth did I just read? And also… why did I enjoy it so much?” That’s precisely how I felt about this one when I picked it up in 2020. I was glued to the story, so curious to find out what happened to Bernadette, and truly fascinated by what I discovered at the end. I also thoroughly enjoyed its film adaptation, though there were plenty of liberties taken with the story (as there usually are with book-to-screen adaptations).
Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
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