Who doesn’t love a good old mystery, right? A bit of spook, a bit of scare, shades of crimson on the white carpet, maybe a huge money stash involved, and a brilliant underdog detective.
Detective books have an entire fanbase of their own and they even have a special place in the hearts of those who don’t like reading.
We all know how some of the best detective shows on streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime have been inspired by novels. The likes of Benedict Cumberbatch’s eccentric Sherlock Holmes and who can forget Penn Badgley’s uncanny You.
Here are our recommendations for the top five best detective books of all time:
“The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:
No list of best detective books of all time would be complete without mentioning the iconic Sherlock Holmes. In this collection of short stories, readers are introduced to the unparalleled deductive skills of Holmes and his faithful companion, Dr. John Watson, a war veteran.
From crazy murders to baffling thefts, each tale showcases Holmes’s keen intellect and remarkable attention to detail. He always tends to pick up on details that others have missed making him the most sought-after detective in the country.
Doyle’s work is masterful and has inspired generations of kids and even adults. The work has been translated into many languages, and adapted into movies, plays, and TV shows, making it impactful across many industries.
“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson:
Swedish author Stieg Larsson’s gripping thriller introduces readers to Lisbeth Salander, a fiercely intelligent and enigmatic hacker, and Mikael Blomkvist, an investigative journalist. When the two join forces to solve a decades-old disappearance, they come across something overlooked (or perhaps intentionally overlooked): a web of corruption, conspiracy, and unspeakable crimes. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is a riveting story that talks about dark secrets and exposes the underbelly of society, leaving readers breathless and waiting for more until the very last page.
“Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn:
Some of the best detective books of all time tend to keep you up all night, and Gillian Flynn’s psychological thriller does just that. It is truly a rollercoaster of emotions.
On the morning of their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne’s wife, Amy, disappears under suspicious circumstances. As the media frenzy intensifies and secrets come to light, Nick finds himself the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance.
Told from alternating perspectives, “Gone Girl” keeps readers guessing until the shocking truth is finally revealed. Flynn’s gripping plot is something that stays with the readers.
Why? Because strange as it may be, it is still a mystery grounded in reality. The characters are flawed, like most of us, and try to make it through the mundane aspects of life without messing things up until they do mess things up.
“The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” by Alexander McCall Smith:
For those seeking a lighter take on the detective genre, “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” offers a charming and heartwarming alternative while implicitly dealing with complex themes of our society, such as prejudice, discrimination, and patriarchy.
Set in Botswana, the series follows Precious Ramotswe, the first female detective in the country, as she solves cases with wit, wisdom, and a keen understanding of human nature. McCall Smith’s evocative prose is loved by readers because it brings life to Ramotswe’s character by making sure that she is contextual to her culture.
It is an interesting, delightful, and uplifting read for readers of all ages.
“Chicago Detective Jack Fallon In The Mystery Of The Egg Of Chaos” by Bob Kelly:
Jack Fallon, the coolest detective in the world, is back with another thrilling mystery to solve. The Chicago Detective Jack Fallon series by Bob Kelly features a young detective, Jack, who takes on his first murder case with his new partner, Elaina Rodriguez, in the first installment of the series. After successfully escaping dire threats and attempts on their lives, the duo returns with double the action, chaos, and suspense.
In the second installment, the Egg of Chaos is stolen from the Gold Coast Art Show, and the Chinese Consulate General is murdered. How are these two events interconnected? Nobody knows. But Jack, Elaina, and the crew are on the case, so it is bound to be an adventure-filled ride.
Conclusion:
Do you know what makes our recommendations some of the best detective novels of all time? What makes any novel great or even a classic is two distinct features.
Firstly, that work has to be universal, that is, it needs to connect with audiences on a global level. The themes need to be something that readers of all types can relate to anywhere around the world.
Secondly, the work has to be timeless. That is, it should not matter whether it was written in the 1950s or in the 2010s. If audiences can find something to connect with in that novel regardless of when it was written, it makes it a timeless piece of art.
This same theory applies to our recommendation for the top five best detective books of all time. Not only are they written in a thrilling manner, but they are loved by people around the world, and you can always pick them up a few years later and still find something relatable to your life.
Happy Reading!
