The Greatest "New York City, Mystery" Books of All Time

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 300 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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New York City

Mystery

The Mystery genre is a category of books that typically involves a crime, puzzle, or enigma that needs to be solved by the protagonist or a group of characters. These books often feature suspenseful and thrilling plotlines, with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers engaged and guessing until the very end. Mystery novels can range from cozy mysteries, which are lighter and more lighthearted, to hard-boiled detective stories, which are darker and more gritty. Overall, the Mystery genre is a popular and diverse category of books that appeals to readers who enjoy solving puzzles and uncovering secrets.

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  1. 1. The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett

    This detective novel follows a retired private investigator, Nick Charles, who, while on a Christmas vacation in New York with his wife Nora, becomes embroiled in a murder investigation. The case involves a former client of his, Clyde Wynant, who has mysteriously disappeared after his secretary was found dead. As the investigation unfolds, Nick and Nora navigate a complex web of deceit, lies, and family drama, all while maintaining their witty banter and high-society lifestyle.

  2. 2. Time and Again by Jack Finney

    Time and Again is a science fiction novel that follows Simon Morley, a young advertising artist living in New York City, who is recruited by a secret government project to travel back in time to the year 1882. The novel explores themes of nostalgia, love, and the complexity of time travel, as Simon falls in love with a woman from the past and must decide whether to stay in the 19th century or return to his own time.

  3. 3. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin

    The book revolves around a young couple, Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, who move into an old New York City apartment building with a sinister reputation. Eager to start a family, Rosemary becomes pregnant under mysterious circumstances. As she becomes increasingly isolated and ill, she discovers that her husband and their eccentric neighbors have malevolent plans for her unborn child, which are tied to a diabolical pact with supernatural forces. Her paranoia and fear escalate as she uncovers the truth about a conspiracy that involves the birth of the Antichrist, leading to a chilling realization about the fate of her baby.

  4. 4. A Kiss Before Dying by Ira Levin

    In this gripping psychological thriller, a charming and manipulative young man becomes obsessed with achieving wealth and power, leading him to commit a series of calculated murders. As he weaves a web of deception, he targets a wealthy family and pursues a romantic relationship with the daughter, all while concealing his true identity and sinister intentions. With suspenseful twists and a shocking climax, this dark tale explores the depths of human obsession and the lengths one will go to achieve their desires.

  5. 5. The Hot Rock by Donald E. Westlake

    "The Hot Rock" is a thrilling heist novel that follows the misadventures of a group of criminals as they attempt to steal a valuable gem known as the Balabomo Emerald. Led by the clever and resourceful Dortmunder, the team encounters numerous obstacles and setbacks, including double-crossing partners, a persistent detective, and a series of comical mishaps. With a blend of humor, suspense, and unexpected twists, the book takes readers on a wild ride through the world of high-stakes theft and the eccentric characters that inhabit it.

  6. 6. Cop Hater by Ed McBain

    In the gritty urban landscape of the 87th Precinct, a series of brutal murders targeting police officers sends shockwaves through the force. As detectives scramble to find a pattern and motive behind the killings, they must navigate the treacherous streets and the complexities of their personal lives. The novel delves into the lives of the cops, their camaraderie, and the relentless pressure of working on a case where they themselves are the targets. With each officer's death, the tension mounts, and the precinct must catch the murderer before fear undermines their duty to protect and serve.

  7. 7. The First Deadly Sin by Lawrence Sanders

    In this gripping crime novel, a seasoned New York City detective is on the brink of retirement when he's drawn into a challenging and high-stakes investigation. The city is terrorized by a series of brutal murders, each victim found with a small, mysterious token left by the killer. As the detective delves deeper into the case, he must navigate a complex web of clues and confront his own personal demons, all while racing against time to stop the methodical murderer before they strike again. The novel combines a gritty police procedural with psychological depth, exploring the nature of obsession and the cost of justice.

  8. 8. Blind Man with a Pistol by Chester Himes

    In the heart of Harlem, a blind man shoots his pistol aimlessly, setting off a series of chaotic events. Two detectives are tasked with investigating the resulting crimes, which include a restaurant bombing and a murder. The narrative is filled with dark humor, social commentary, and vivid descriptions of Harlem life, as the detectives navigate the complexities of their community and the absurdity of their situation.

  9. 9. The Alienist by Caleb Carr

    Set in 1896 New York City, the novel follows a journalist and his friend, a psychologist (or "alienist"), as they work on an investigation into a series of gruesome murders of boy prostitutes. The team employs psychological profiling and early forensic methods to hunt down the serial killer. The book delves into the seedy underbelly of the city, exploring the grim realities of life at the time.

  10. 10. The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver

    In this gripping crime thriller, a brilliant forensic detective and a young officer team up to catch a sadistic serial killer who leaves behind a trail of bone-chilling clues. As they race against time to solve the puzzle, they must navigate through a labyrinth of gruesome crime scenes and outsmart the ruthless murderer who always seems to be one step ahead. With unexpected twists and heart-stopping suspense, this novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the final shocking revelation.

  11. 11. Koko by Peter Straub

    This psychological horror novel centers around four Vietnam War veterans who reunite to confront a series of gruesome murders that eerily resemble war crimes they witnessed. The story delves into the complexities of trauma and the bonds of military brotherhood as the men embark on a harrowing journey to track down the enigmatic figure known only as "Koko," whose identity is as mysterious as the motives behind the killings. As they traverse the globe from the urban landscapes of the United States to the bustling streets of Southeast Asia, the veterans must grapple with their own inner demons and the possibility that the killer they seek may be one of their own.

  12. 12. Night Has A Thousand Eyes by George Hopley

    "Night Has A Thousand Eyes" is a gripping psychological thriller that follows the life of a troubled man named John, who possesses an uncanny ability to foresee tragic events before they occur. Plagued by his gift, John becomes increasingly isolated and tormented, as he struggles to prevent the impending disasters that haunt his visions. As the line between reality and premonition blurs, John embarks on a desperate quest to understand the origins of his power and find a way to break free from its relentless grip.

  13. 13. Poetic Justice by Amanda Cross

    This novel is a captivating mystery that follows Kate Fansler, a literature professor and amateur sleuth, as she is drawn into a perplexing case at a prestigious law school. When a brilliant female student is accused of plagiarism and subsequently found dead, Fansler is enlisted to navigate the complex academic politics and uncover the truth. As she delves deeper into the investigation, she encounters a web of deceit and corruption that challenges her intellectual prowess and moral compass. Set against the backdrop of academia, the story masterfully combines elements of mystery, feminism, and literary references, making it a thought-provoking and engaging read.

  14. 14. Falling Angel by William Hjortsberg

    In this gripping mystery novel, a down-on-his-luck private investigator is hired to find a missing person, only to uncover a web of dark secrets and supernatural forces. Set in 1950s New York City, the protagonist delves into the city's seedy underbelly, encountering eccentric characters and facing his own demons along the way. As he gets closer to the truth, the line between reality and fantasy becomes blurred, leading to a shocking and unexpected climax. With its atmospheric setting and intricate plot, this book keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

  15. 15. Phantom Lady by Cornell Woolrich

    "Phantom Lady" is a gripping noir thriller that follows Scott Henderson, a man wrongfully accused of his wife's murder. With no alibi and no witnesses to vouch for him, Scott's only hope lies in finding the mysterious woman he met at a bar on the night of the crime. As he delves deeper into the dark underbelly of New York City, Scott uncovers a web of deception, danger, and hidden motives, all while racing against time to prove his innocence and bring the real killer to justice.

  16. 16. The Bishop Murder Case by S.S. Van Dine

    "The Bishop Murder Case" is a thrilling detective novel that follows the brilliant detective Philo Vance as he investigates a perplexing murder case. When a wealthy bishop is found dead in his study, Vance is called upon to unravel the complex web of clues and suspects. With his sharp intellect and keen observation skills, Vance navigates through a maze of deceit, greed, and hidden motives to uncover the truth behind the bishop's murder. As the investigation unfolds, Vance's deductive reasoning and unconventional methods keep readers on the edge of their seats, making this a captivating and suspenseful read.

  17. 17. I, The Jury by Mickey Spillane

    In this hard-boiled detective novel, a gritty and vengeful private investigator seeks justice for the murder of his best friend, who was killed by a .45 to the stomach. The protagonist navigates a seedy underworld of crime and corruption, encountering seductive femme fatales and ruthless criminals along the way. His relentless pursuit of the truth leads to a shocking revelation and a climactic confrontation, where personal codes of honor and the blurred lines between right and wrong come to a head. The novel is known for its tough-guy dialogue, violent action, and the detective's uncompromising moral compass.

  18. 18. The Doorbell Rang by Rex Stout

    In this classic detective novel, the brilliant and eccentric private investigator Nero Wolfe, along with his sharp-witted assistant Archie Goodwin, is hired by a wealthy woman to disprove the FBI's unfounded harassment against her. She believes the agency is targeting her because she distributed copies of a book critical of the FBI. As Wolfe and Goodwin delve into the case, they navigate a complex web of surveillance, intimidation, and murder, all while outsmarting the persistent scrutiny of the formidable J. Edgar Hoover's agents. The story is a clever dance of wits and strategy, showcasing the detective's ingenuity in solving a case that reaches far beyond a simple doorbell ring.

  19. 19. Cat Of Many Tails by Ellery Queen

    "Cat Of Many Tails" by "Ellery Queen" is a thrilling mystery novel that follows the investigation of a serial killer known as "The Cat" who terrorizes New York City. As the body count rises, detective Ellery Queen must unravel a complex web of clues and motives to catch the elusive killer before he strikes again. With suspenseful twists and turns, the book keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation.

  20. 20. City of Glass by Paul Auster

    A struggling author becomes entangled in a complex mystery when he receives a wrong-number call asking for a private detective. After impulsively deciding to take on the role, he is hired to protect a man from his mentally unstable father who has recently been released from prison. As he delves deeper into the case, the lines between fiction and reality blur, leading him on a metaphysical exploration of identity and purpose.

  21. 21. Eight Million Ways To Die by Lawrence Block

    In this gripping crime novel, a former cop turned private investigator, Matt Scudder, is hired to find the killer of a high-class call girl. As he delves deeper into the dark underbelly of New York City, Scudder becomes entangled in a web of deceit, corruption, and addiction. With his own demons haunting him, Scudder must navigate the dangerous streets and confront his own personal demons in order to bring justice to the victims and find redemption for himself.

  22. 22. Marathon Man by William Goldman

    The novel revolves around a history Ph.D. student and avid runner in New York City who becomes entangled in a deadly plot involving his estranged brother, a government agent, and a notorious Nazi war criminal living in exile. When a series of events leads to the murder of his brother and the revelation of a precious gem smuggling operation, the protagonist must use his wits and endurance to survive torture and chase, uncovering a harrowing conspiracy that forces him to confront his own family's secrets and a past that is inextricably linked to the horrors of the Holocaust.

  23. 23. Deacon King Kong by James McBride

    "Deacon King Kong" by James McBride is a novel set in 1969 Brooklyn, where a drunken Deacon Sportcoat shoots a drug dealer named Deems Clemens in the courtyard of the Cause Houses housing project. The shooting sets off a chain of events that brings together a cast of characters from the neighborhood, including a young drug dealer, a church-going widow, a corrupt cop, and a group of elderly church women. Through their perspectives, McBride explores themes of race, religion, and community in a vibrant and humorous tale.

  24. 24. Monster by Walter Dean Myers

    The book is a powerful exploration of the American juvenile justice system through the eyes of a 16-year-old African-American boy who is on trial for his alleged involvement in a robbery-turned-murder. As he faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence, the protagonist grapples with his identity, the perceptions of others, and the harsh realities of a system that is quick to label him a monster. The narrative is uniquely presented through a mix of screenplay format and diary entries, offering an introspective and multifaceted look at the protagonist's experiences and the complexities of morality, truth, and humanity within the confines of a legal battle for his future.

  25. 25. The Deadly Percheron by John Franklin Bardin

    This novel is a captivating blend of mystery and psychological thriller, set in post-World War II New York. The story follows a psychiatrist who becomes embroiled in a bizarre case involving a patient who claims to be part of a complex scheme orchestrated by leprechauns. As the psychiatrist delves deeper, he finds himself caught in a web of murder, amnesia, and intrigue, challenging his perceptions of reality and sanity. The narrative takes unexpected twists, exploring themes of identity, madness, and the thin line between truth and illusion, making it a compelling read for fans of unconventional detective stories.

Reading Statistics

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If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

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