For beginners, 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett is also great. It's a classic detective story that follows private investigator Sam Spade as he gets involved in a hunt for a valuable statuette. The characters are well - drawn and the mystery unfolds in an interesting way.
You could also try 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. It features detective Philip Marlowe and has a noir - like atmosphere. The mystery is full of twists and turns, and Chandler's prose is both descriptive and engaging, making it a good entry point into the mystery genre.
Animal Farm' by George Orwell is an excellent beginner - friendly novel. It uses animals on a farm to satirize totalitarian regimes. It's short and thought - provoking, introducing readers to important political and social ideas in an engaging manner.
Sure. 'Bone' by Jeff Smith is a great choice for beginners. It has a simple yet engaging story with cute characters. It's easy to follow and the art style is really appealing.
Sure. 'The Goldfinch' is a great choice. It has elements of mystery surrounding a famous painting. The story is easy to follow and it gives you a good taste of how art can be intertwined with mystery.
I would also recommend 'Nine Lives' by Peter Swanson. It has a somewhat accessible plot structure. With nine characters and their intertwined fates, it gives a good taste of mystery writing. The writing style is not too difficult to understand and it has enough twists and turns to keep a beginner interested in the mystery genre.
A great beginner - friendly mystery is 'Nancy Drew' series. These books follow the adventures of Nancy Drew, a young detective. They are easy to read and have straightforward mysteries that are perfect for those new to the genre. For example, in 'The Secret of the Old Clock', Nancy has to solve a mystery related to an old clock and a missing will.
Sure. 'The Death of Mrs. Westaway' by Ruth Ware is a good choice for beginners. It has a classic mystery feel with a young woman who gets drawn into a family mystery she didn't expect. The plot is engaging and not overly complicated.
Sure. 'The Maid' by Nita Prose is a great start. It has a simple yet engaging mystery and the main character is very likeable. It's easy to follow and has a touch of humor.
Sure. 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams is a great start. It's really funny and full of crazy ideas. Another good one is 'I, Robot' by Isaac Asimov. It's easy to follow and introduces some interesting concepts about robots. And 'A Wrinkle in Time' by Madeleine L'Engle is also suitable for beginners. It has a great adventure story with some science - fictiony elements.
Sure. 'One of Us Is Lying' is a great start. It's easy to follow and has a really cool concept. Another good one is 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder'. It has a relatable protagonist and a mystery that unfolds in an exciting way.
I'd recommend 'City of Quartz'. It's not as complex as some others and it gives a good overview of Los Angeles which is important in understanding the context of many mystery novels set there. Also, 'The Black Dahlia' is quite accessible. It has a strong central mystery based on a real event, which can draw in new readers to the genre of LA mystery novels.