Selecting the top detective fiction books of all time is an impossible task. There, we said it. Writing detective novels is among the most challenging genres, as the book's narrative is often fully revealed by the end of the story. To build suspense, the author has to create mystery and scatter clues throughout the storyline to distract the reader so they're on the edge of their seats once the mystery starts unveiling.
If it were up to us, we would consider any mystery or detective fiction book a winner in itself for that reason only. But today, we went through countless fiction books, and based on their popularity and storyline, we deduced that the following books would top our recommended crime fiction books.
A Murder On The Orient Express By Agatha Christie:
Agatha Christie is a name you can't miss when discussing detective fiction and murder mystery. Published in 1934, the book has aged like fine wine, leaving people of all ages flabbergasted from the start to the end of the plot.
Synopsis: Just after midnight, the luxurious Orient Express stopped cause of a snowdrift. By morning, there is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead, stabbed dozens of times, with the door locked from the inside. With a killer among the passengers, Detective Hercule Poirot has to solve this mystery quickly before the killer finds their next target.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo By Stieg Larsson:
From the Swedes, Steig Larsson has made his name by writing page-turners since 2004. He's popularly known for his Millennium trilogy series, from which “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” was the first part.
Synopsis: Harriet Vanger, a scion of Sweden's wealthiest families, suddenly disappears without a trace. After forty years, her uncle seeks Mikael Blomkvist to find out the truth about her disappearance. Mikael, who's dealing with his own problem involving a libel case, agrees to unravel the mystery while partnering up with a young private investigator, Lisbeth Salander. The two have to combine their wits to solve the mystery involving love, family, and financial intrigue.
A Study In Scarlet By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:
Let's be honest; we can't make a list of the top detective fiction books of all time without mentioning the author behind the ever-so-popular Sherlock Homes. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has blessed not just the murder mystery genre but the complete literacy genre with his collection of tales on the fictional character Sherlock Homes that started in 1877.
Synopsis: Doctor John Watson arrives in London after serving in the Second Anglo-Afghan War; upon returning, he gets acquainted with Sherlock Holmes, a consultation detective, his flatmate at 221B Baker Street. Here, they receive a telegram for solving a murder case, where Watson gets to see his partner in action. With his expert deduction skills, Watson narrates the story that unfolds.
Jamaica Biltmore: Dark Power By Tom Greco:
Apart from the classics, let's consider some fresh reads as well. If you want stories that have it all: suspense, thrill, and action, then you must consider Tom Greco, an aspiring writer making their name in the crime fiction world.
Synopsis: The fourth part of the popular Jamaica Baltimore series, “Jamaica Biltmore: Dark Power,” takes us into the life of Private Investigator Jamaica Biltmore, who, alongside his tough crew of family and friends, dives back into action following a brief break.
Fresh from victoriously solving the puzzle of an international art theft ring, the team gathers to celebrate the marriage of Jamaica's son, but fate has decided something else. The wedding ceremony is cut short by the abrupt interruption of a high-stakes crisis: The governor of New York has been kidnapped!
The investigation is to be conducted by none other than our beloved Jamaica Baltimore and his crew. As they dig deeper, they uncover a web of deceit and danger that stretches far beyond what they could have imagined.
Join Jamaica, his wife, Agent Julie Waters, and their team as the plot thickens and they come face to face with a web of missing artwork, connections to the NYC mob and WWII Nazis, conflicting federal agencies, and ambitious political agendas.
Grab your copy of “Jamaica Biltmore: Dark Power” today!
