best crime mystery fiction

If you're just starting out, 'The Cat Who...' series by Lilian Jackson Braun is quite nice. It has a cozy mystery feel, with a journalist and his cat solving crimes in a small town. It's not overly intense. 'Encyclopedia Brown' books are also great for beginners. These short stories feature a boy detective solving simple mysteries, which can help you get used to the genre. 'The Body in the Library' by Agatha Christie is a good pick too. It has a classic Christie mystery setup with a dead body and a bunch of suspects, and the plot is easy to follow.

One of the best is 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Dr. Watson. Holmes' deductive reasoning skills are simply amazing as he solves complex crimes in Victorian London.

Some of the best mystery crime fiction books include 'Sherlock Holmes' stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes' deductive reasoning skills are legendary. 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett is another classic. The hunt for the valuable statuette is filled with double - crosses and mystery. Also, 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' by Alexander McCall Smith is a great read. It features a female detective in Botswana, and the stories are both charming and full of mystery, often dealing with local crimes and human nature in a unique way.

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris. It has one of the most iconic villains in Hannibal Lecter. The story of an FBI trainee trying to catch a serial killer with the help of Lecter is intense and gripping. Harris does an amazing job of creating suspense.

You can start by looking at best - seller lists. Books that are highly rated and widely read are often good choices. Also, consider the author's reputation. Authors like Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle have a long - standing reputation for writing excellent crime fiction mysteries.

Definitely check out 'An American Marriage' by Tayari Jones. Although it's not a traditional crime novel in the sense of being about detectives and criminals all the time, it deals with the 'crime' of an unjust imprisonment and its impact on a marriage. It's a beautifully written novel that shows the human side of a situation that could be considered a crime against an individual.

The 'Sherlock Holmes' series by Arthur Conan Doyle is a classic. Holmes' brilliant deductions and the Victorian - era settings create a great atmosphere. Each story presents a unique mystery, from stolen jewels to murders, and Holmes always manages to solve them in his own unique way.

Arthur Conan Doyle is very well - known. His Sherlock Holmes stories are iconic in the crime mystery genre. Doyle's ability to create a vivid detective character and intricate plots is remarkable.

I really like 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. The character of Hannibal Lecter is one of the most iconic in crime fiction. The cat - and - mouse game between Clarice Starling and Lecter as she tries to solve a serial killer case is gripping. The book also delves deep into the minds of the characters, which makes it even more interesting.

One of the best crime mystery novels is 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie. It has a really gripping plot where ten strangers are lured to an island and then murdered one by one. Another great one is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It combines a complex mystery with a strong female lead. Also, 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn is excellent. The twists and turns in the story keep you on the edge of your seat.