Historical whodunit novels often combine accurate historical details with an intriguing mystery. They might feature complex characters and unexpected twists. Also, they tend to draw readers into the time period while keeping them engaged in the mystery-solving process.
The main traits of historical whodunit novels are the integration of historical context and a puzzling crime. They can showcase unique historical cultures and social backgrounds while challenging readers to figure out the culprit. These novels often have well-crafted storylines and suspenseful elements to keep you on the edge of your seat.
They usually have a setting in the past and a mystery to solve. The plot is full of clues and red herrings to keep you guessing.
The characters in historical whodunit novels usually have motives and behaviors that are influenced by the values and constraints of their time. Like in a Victorian - era mystery, a character's actions might be restricted by strict social etiquette. And there are often a lot of red herrings, just like in regular whodunit novels, to mislead the reader. Different characters may seem suspicious for various reasons related to the historical context, such as a feud between two families due to historical land disputes in a certain period.
Top whodunit novels usually have a mysterious crime at the center, like a murder or a disappearance. They also have a detective or an investigator figure, who tries to solve the mystery. The plot is full of twists and turns to keep the readers guessing. For example, in Agatha Christie's novels, Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple have to figure out who the culprit is among a group of suspects, and there are always unexpected revelations.
Another great one is 'An Instance of the Fingerpost' by Iain Pears. This novel weaves multiple narratives in 17th - century Oxford, with different characters presenting their versions of a murder mystery, which is really fascinating as it shows different perspectives of the same events.
Some of the well - known whodunit novels include 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Arthur Conan Doyle. Another is 'Murder on the Orient Express' by Agatha Christie. And 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler.
One of the top whodunit novels in 2015 was 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins. It had a captivating mystery and kept readers guessing until the end.
The top 10 whodunit novels can vary depending on personal preferences, but commonly mentioned ones are 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown, 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote, and 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. They keep readers engaged with their mystery and suspense.
The best whodunit novels of 2017 include 'The Dry' by Jane Harper. It has a compelling mystery and great character development.
'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' is another excellent choice. Christie's clever twists and turns keep you guessing until the very end. Also, 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' is highly regarded for its complex and engaging mystery.
They usually have a complex plot with multiple suspects. The ending is often unexpected and full of twists.
One of the best is 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie. It's a classic with a group of people trapped on an island and being killed one by one. The mystery keeps you guessing until the end. Another great one is 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. His detective, Philip Marlowe, is iconic, and the plot is full of twists and turns.