underrated mystery novels

An underrated mystery novel is 'In the Woods' by Tana French. It tells a story of a detective investigating a murder that has some connections to his own past. 'The Secret History' by Donna Tartt can also be considered a mystery novel in some ways. It's about a group of students and a murder that happens among them. It's not always thought of as a typical mystery but it has that element of mystery and intrigue. And then there's 'The Quincunx' by Charles Palliser, which is a complex and multi - layered mystery set in Victorian England.

The 'Maisie Dobbs' series by Jacqueline Winspear is great. Maisie is a detective in post - World War I England. The books are not as well - known as some big - name mystery series but they are full of great period detail, complex characters, and interesting mysteries.

Sure. 'The Franchise Affair' by Josephine Tey is a bit underrated. It has a great plot that involves Scotland Yard detectives in a unique mystery. Another is 'The Daughter of Time' by the same author, which is a really interesting take on a historical mystery with the Yard's involvement.

I would recommend 'The Black Tower' by P. D. James. It has a complex mystery with a lot of psychological depth. 'The Circular Staircase' by Mary Roberts Rinehart is also a good pick. It was one of the early mystery novels and has some really unique elements. And 'The Crying of Lot 49' by Thomas Pynchon. It's a very different kind of mystery novel, more postmodern, but really interesting with a lot of mystery and symbolism.

The game 'Sunless Sea' is also somewhat underrated. It has a very unique take on mystery science - fiction. You sail through a strange underground ocean filled with all sorts of oddities and mysteries. There are different factions, strange creatures, and you have to uncover the secrets of this strange world as you try to keep your ship and crew alive.

Some underrated horror novels could be 'The House Next Door' by Anne Rivers Siddons. It creates a sense of unease with a spooky house. Another might be 'The Elementals' by Michael McDowell, which has a unique take on horror with its setting and characters. And 'Lost Souls' by Poppy Z. Brite is also often overlooked. It has a dark and edgy take on vampires and the gothic subculture.

The 50 underrated novels often have deep and complex characters. These characters are not the typical one - dimensional ones you find in more mainstream books. They can be morally ambiguous, with complex motives and desires. Their settings are also diverse. They can be set in remote places or in specific sub - cultures that are not well - known. Moreover, these novels tend to break the norms in terms of narrative structure. Instead of the traditional linear story - telling, they might jump around in time or use multiple narrators to tell the story, which can make them more challenging but also more rewarding for the patient reader.

Maybe it's because some people think they're too predictable or formulaic. But that's not always true!

Yes, I think they are. Novels often don't get the recognition they deserve compared to other forms of media.

Sure. 'The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon' is underrated. I think it's because it's more of a survival story with a young protagonist rather than the typical full - on horror. It doesn't get as much attention as his scarier works. 'Cell' is also underrated. Maybe it's because it was overshadowed by some of his more famous novels. It has an interesting post - apocalyptic concept. And 'Duma Key' is underrated. It has a great setting on an island and a spooky art - related mystery, but perhaps it's not as well - known as some of his classics.