10 Best Murder Mystery Books That Will Keep You Guessing

As the suspense intensifies, the twists unfold, and the mystery draws you in deeper, you’ll definitely lose track of time. There’s something incredibly gripping about murder mystery books—the way they challenge your mind, keep your pulse racing, and catch you off guard when you think you’ve figured it all out. You’ll never be able to predict what will happen next, so let’s take a look at the chilling serial killer thrillers, psychological puzzles, and dark academia gems that will satisfy your midnight snack.

So grab a blanket, turn off your phone, and dive into one of these criminally good reads.

1. Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

Genre: Psychological Thriller / True Crime-Inspired Mystery

What it’s about:
Lucy’s life was shattered when she woke up in her Texas hometown covered in blood and accused of killing her best friend, Savvy. Although the law found her innocent, the town never truly let her off the hook. Years later, a popular true crime podcast reexamines the case, pulling Lucy into the shadow of her past. With podcast scripts, confusing memories, and one big question—did Lucy really do it?—This book turns a classic cold case into a chilling media frenzy.

Why read it: Podcast transcripts, unreliable memory, and a heroine you’ll root for—even when you’re not sure she’s innocent.

More from Amy Tintera:

All These Monsters – A teenage girl joins a monster-hunting squad, but not everything is as it seems.

2. The Night Shift by Alex Finlay

Genre: Crime Thriller / Serial Killer Mystery

What it’s about:
15 years ago an unsolved massacre of brutal murders. The survivor teams up with an FBI agent and a grieving brother to uncover the truth. As they piece together the chilling connections between the past and present, each chapter pulls you deeper into the chaos, with shocking twists and sinister messages.

Why read it: Fast-paced, popcorn thriller. Feels like watching Criminal Minds on adrenaline.

More from Alex Finlay:

Every Last Fear – A college student’s family is found dead in a mysterious accident, exposing deep secrets.

3. Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin

Genre: Literary Mystery / Psychological Drama

What it’s about:
When Claire’s older sister disappears during a tropical vacation and is later found dead, her world is turned upside down. As an adult, a random encounter with one of the suspects reopens the mystery, sending Claire on a haunting journey into grief, privilege, and truth. It’s a novel that explores the blurry line between closure and obsession.

Why read it: Atmospheric, emotional, and unexpectedly profound. True crime with soul.

More from Alexis Schaitkin:

Elsewhere – A surreal, thought-provoking novel about a town where mothers mysteriously vanish.

4. The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Genre: Historical Mystery / Time Loop Thriller / Puzzle Mystery

What it’s about:
Aiden wakes up in a stranger’s body—and is told he must solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle. Every day, Evelyn dies. Every day, Aiden jumps into a new body. The only way to escape this time loop is to uncover the killer. Part Agatha Christie, this historical mystery novel is a mind-bending, unlike anything else.

Why read it: Think Agatha Christie meets Inception. Prepare your brain.

More from Stuart Turton:

The Devil and the Dark Water – Sherlock Holmes meets supernatural horror on a 17th-century ship.

5. The Appeal by Janice Hallett

Genre: Cozy Mystery / Epistolary Crime Fiction

What it’s about:
This modern epistolary novel challenges the reader to solve a murder buried beneath layers of lies, drama, and local theater politics. The deeper you read, the more tangled the relationships become—and the closer you get to uncovering the killer hiding in plain sight.

More from Janice Hallett:

The Twyford Code – A mystery solved through audio transcripts and hidden clues in a children’s book.

6. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Genre: Dark Academia / Supernatural Mystery / Urban Fantasy
What it’s about:
Alex Stern, a high school dropout with a troubled past—and a unique ability to see ghosts. That’s exactly why she’s recruited to monitor Yale’s secret societies, each dabbling in occult rituals that control politics, wealth, and power. But when a girl is murdered on campus, Alex finds herself unraveling layers of conspiracy, magic, and mayhem. As the lines between the dead and the living blur, so does the difference between truth and power.

Why read it: A brilliantly twisted blend of dark academia, magic, and murder, this book explores trauma, secret knowledge, and the cost of power. It’s like The Secret History got drunk and passed out in a haunted library.

More by Leigh Bardugo:

Hell Bent – Sequel to Ninth House, deeper, darker, and even more dangerous.

7. The Other Half by Charlotte Vassell

Genre: British Crime / Satirical Mystery / Contemporary Whodunit
What it’s about:
Clemmie is a well-known London influencer who seems to have it all—beauty, followers, and a rich boyfriend. But after a fancy birthday party, she’s found dead. Now it’s up to Beauchamp to figure out what really happened. As he digs deeper, he uncovers secrets, lies, and messy relationships. Everyone at the party has something to hide, and the truth is far from pretty.

Why read it: Imagine Knives Out set in London’s elite social scene with Saltburn’s chaotic flair. A clever, biting, modern satire of privilege, secrets, and who gets to stay above suspicion.

More by Charlotte Vassell:

The Guests – A follow-up in the DI Beauchamp series involving a murder at a countryside mansion during a decadent weekend escape.

8. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Genre: YA Mystery / Puzzle Thriller / Family Drama
What it’s about:
Avery Grambs is a regular high schooler—until a billionaire she’s never met leaves her his entire fortune. There’s a catch: she must live in his mansion for a year, surrounded by his bitter, brilliant grandsons who think she’s a con artist. The estate is packed with secret passageways, riddles, and puzzles. As danger looms and the stakes rise, Avery finds herself caught in a real-life game of strategy, survival, and secrets.

Why read it: Perfect for fans of Knives Out and Enola Holmes, this YA thriller is a delicious mix of high-stakes inheritance drama, cryptic clues, and slow-burn romantic tension.

More by Jennifer Lynn Barnes:

The Hawthorne Legacy – Book 2 of the trilogy; more twists, more secrets, more games.

9. Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

Genre: Feminist Thriller / True Crime-Inspired Fiction / Historical Mystery
What it’s about:
Set in the 1970s, this powerful thriller begins after a brutal sorority house attack leaves multiple women dead. The best friend of one of the victims, smart and determined Pamela, refuses to let the media reduce her friend to another victim. Her investigation takes her deep into the murky waters of justice, misogyny, and the myth of the charismatic serial killer, heavily inspired by Ted Bundy.

Why read it: Emotionally charged and razor-sharp, this story reframes the narrative around serial killers and puts the spotlight on the women left behind. Think true crime meets sisterhood.

More by Jessica Knoll:

Luckiest Girl Alive – Psychological thriller about trauma, secrets, and reinvention (adapted into a Netflix film).

10. Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

Genre: Southern Noir / Revenge Thriller / LGBTQ+ Crime Fiction
What it’s about:
When two married gay men are murdered, their fathers—one Black, one white, both ex-cons—team up to find the truth. They never accepted their sons in life, but they’ll tear the world apart to avenge them in death. Gritty, violent, and unexpectedly tender, this story blends breakneck action with themes of grief, redemption, and the devastating effects of prejudice.

Why read it: Razorblade Tears is equal parts action and emotion. A revenge story with soul, featuring flawed, unforgettable characters.

More by S.A. Cosby:

All the Sinners Bleed – A small-town sheriff uncovers horrifying truths while navigating race, religion, and justice.

Want to dive into a good mystery without spending a penny? You can read murder mystery books online for free on sites like:

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