The Greatest "Mystery, Crime, Fiction" Books Since 1910

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 '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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Genres

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.

Crime

The "Crime" category of books typically includes stories that revolve around criminal activities, investigations, and the pursuit of justice. These books may feature detectives, police officers, or other law enforcement officials as main characters, as well as criminals and their victims. Crime novels often involve suspenseful plot twists and turns, as well as complex character development. The genre can encompass a wide range of subgenres, including mystery, thriller, and true crime, and may explore themes such as morality, ethics, and the human condition. Overall, the "Crime" category offers readers a thrilling and engaging look into the darker side of human nature and the justice system.

Fiction

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  1. 26. Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L Sayers

    When a copywriter at an advertising agency suspiciously dies in a fall, a private detective goes undercover to investigate the circumstances. He discovers a world of drugs, blackmail, and deceit hidden behind the agency's seemingly ordinary facade. As he delves deeper, he must unravel a web of secrets and lies to solve the murder, all while maintaining his cover and navigating the competitive world of advertising.

    The 722nd Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 27. The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L Sayers

    In this mystery novel, a car accident strands a detective in a small English village during New Year's Eve. He is roped into participating in a nine-hour bell-ringing marathon at the local church. Weeks later, a disfigured body is discovered in a grave, leading to a complex investigation involving stolen emeralds, a decades-old robbery, and a lethal "curse" tied to the tolling of the church bells. The detective must unravel the intricate puzzle to reveal the killer's identity.

    The 730th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 28. The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

    In this gripping psychological thriller, a young FBI trainee is enlisted to interview an incarcerated and manipulative cannibalistic serial killer to gain insight into the mind of another active serial murderer. The trainee must navigate a complex game of cat and mouse, using her own wits and the killer's insights to understand and anticipate the criminal's moves before he strikes again. As she delves deeper into the investigation, she confronts not only the horrors of the criminal mind but also the darkness within her own past, leading to a tense and chilling confrontation.

    The 736th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 29. 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.

    The 748th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 30. The Mask of Dimitrios by Eric Ambler

    The book is a classic espionage thriller that revolves around a crime novelist who becomes intrigued by the story of a notorious criminal, Dimitrios. The novelist's curiosity leads him on a journey across Europe, tracing the steps of Dimitrios, who is believed to be dead. As he delves deeper into Dimitrios's world of political intrigue, drug trafficking, and murder, he finds himself caught up in a dangerous game with life-threatening consequences.

    The 752nd Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 31. Farewell, My Lovely: A Novel by Raymond Chandler

    In this noir detective novel, a private investigator is hired to find a former lover of a recently released convict. His investigation leads him into a web of corruption and crime in Los Angeles, involving a missing nightclub owner, a wealthy widow, and a stolen jade necklace. As he delves deeper into the case, he must navigate through a world of deceit, violence, and betrayal, while trying to stay alive.

    The 783rd Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 32. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

    This thrilling novel revolves around the sudden disappearance of a woman on her fifth wedding anniversary. As the investigation unfolds, all evidence points to her husband as the prime suspect. However, the story takes a twist as the wife's diary entries reveal a darker side to their seemingly perfect marriage. The narrative alternates between the husband's present-day perspective and the wife's diary entries, leaving readers in suspense about what truly happened. The book explores themes of deceit, media influence, and the complexities of marriage.

    The 802nd Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 33. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

    This novel tells the story of the Blackwood sisters, Merricat and Constance, who live in isolation in their family mansion, following the mysterious death of their parents due to arsenic poisoning. The sisters' lives are disrupted when their estranged cousin, Charles, arrives with intentions of stealing their fortune. The story is a chilling exploration of family secrets, mental illness, and the destructive power of mob mentality.

    The 816th Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 34. Trent's Last Case by E. C. Bentley

    In this classic detective novel, the story follows the intelligent and resourceful amateur sleuth, Philip Trent, as he investigates the puzzling murder of a wealthy financier. Initially deemed an open-and-shut case, Trent delves deeper, uncovering a complex web of deceit, love, and betrayal. His sharp wit and keen observation lead him through a series of twists and turns, but his final conclusion is dramatically mistaken. In a surprising twist, Trent falls in love, which ultimately leads to a profound personal transformation and the unexpected resolution of the case, challenging the very nature of detective work and the fallibility of logical deduction.

    The 914th Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 35. The Glass Key by Dashiell Hammett

    The novel centers around a savvy political fixer who finds himself embroiled in a complex web of betrayal, corruption, and murder. As he navigates the gritty underworld of a corrupt city, he must use his wits and toughness to protect his boss's political interests, solve a friend's murder, and untangle his own complicated love affair. The story is a classic example of hard-boiled crime fiction, showcasing a world where loyalty is scarce and everyone has an angle to play.

    The 942nd Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 36. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

    A disgraced journalist is hired by a wealthy industrialist to solve a forty-year-old mystery involving the disappearance of his niece. He is assisted in his investigation by a brilliant but deeply troubled hacker. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover a twisted web of family secrets, corruption, and murder. The story is a dark and gripping exploration of Swedish society, as well as a thrilling mystery.

    The 949th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 37. Double Indemnity by James M. Cain

    "Double Indemnity" is a gripping crime novel that follows the story of an insurance salesman who becomes entangled in a dangerous plot with a seductive woman, leading to murder and deceit. As the protagonist finds himself increasingly trapped in a web of lies, he must navigate the consequences of his actions while trying to outsmart those around him. With its noir atmosphere and complex characters, this thrilling tale explores themes of greed, desire, and the destructive power of temptation.

    The 967th Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 38. London Fields by Martin Amis

    The novel is a darkly comic, murder mystery set in London at the end of the 20th century. The story follows three main characters: a terminally ill American writer, a petty criminal, and a beautiful but doomed woman who predicts her own murder but not the murderer. The narrative is filled with satirical social commentary, exploring themes of love, lust, greed, and deception.

    The 971st Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 39. Hawksmoor by Peter Ackroyd

    "Hawksmoor" is a novel that alternates between the 18th century and the 1980s, focusing on two characters both named Nicholas Dyer and Nicholas Hawksmoor. Dyer, an architect in the 18th century, constructs seven churches in London, each with a dark and sinister secret. In the 1980s, Hawksmoor, a detective, investigates a series of murders that occur in the same churches. The narrative explores themes of history, time, architecture, and supernatural elements, creating an eerie and atmospheric tale.

    The 973rd Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 40. A Judgement In Stone by Ruth Rendell

    "A Judgement In Stone" is a gripping psychological thriller that unravels the tragic events surrounding the murder of the wealthy Coverdale family. As the investigation unfolds, the true motives and dark secrets of the family's housekeeper, Eunice, are gradually revealed, leading to a shocking climax. With its intricate plot and complex characters, the book explores themes of class divide, social isolation, and the destructive power of secrets.

    The 981st Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 41. Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow

    A gripping legal thriller, this novel follows the story of a chief deputy prosecutor who finds himself accused of the brutal murder of his colleague, with whom he had a passionate extramarital affair. As the evidence against him mounts, he struggles to prove his innocence while uncovering corruption and deceit within the very system he once served. The story is a riveting exploration of the complexities of the legal system, human nature, and the concept of presumed innocence.

    The 997th Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 42. The Third Man by Graham Greene

    Set in post-World War II Vienna, the story revolves around an American writer who arrives in the city to discover that his childhood friend, whom he had planned to meet, has recently died in a mysterious accident. As he delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding his friend's death, he uncovers a web of intrigue involving black market dealings, corrupt officials, and a complex moral landscape. The writer's investigation leads him to question loyalty, morality, and the ambiguous nature of friendship in a city divided by occupation and rife with espionage and criminality.

    The 1017th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 43. Smilla's Sense of Snow: A Novel by Peter Høeg

    The novel revolves around Smilla Jaspersen, a woman of Greenlandic-Inuit and Danish descent living in Copenhagen, who investigates the mysterious death of a small Inuit boy who falls from the roof of their apartment building. Despite the authorities ruling it as an accident, Smilla's understanding of the Arctic snow and ice, her intuition, and her relentless pursuit for truth lead her to uncover a much darker, dangerous conspiracy involving powerful corporations and government agencies.

    The 1045th Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 44. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

    In this novel, a wealthy woman is found poisoned in her country home in England during World War I. A family friend who is visiting the house at the time of the murder calls upon his friend, a brilliant detective, to help solve the case. The detective uses his unique methods to investigate the crime, revealing a complex web of family secrets and betrayal. Throughout the investigation, the detective uncovers that the victim's husband, the housekeeper, and the victim's stepsons all had motives to kill her. The detective eventually solves the crime, revealing the unexpected murderer and their ingenious method of committing the crime.

    The 1054th Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 45. Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith

    In the heart of Moscow, three corpses found in Gorky Park lead a dedicated Soviet police investigator on a complex and dangerous trail that entangles him in the web of the KGB and the FBI. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a chilling conspiracy and faces moral dilemmas that challenge his very principles and integrity. The investigation becomes a personal quest for truth that takes him far beyond the park's snowy borders, testing his resolve and putting his life at risk in the shadowy intersections of international espionage and political intrigue.

    The 1080th Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 46. Beast In View by Margaret Millar

    "Beast In View" by Margaret Millar is a gripping psychological thriller that follows the story of Helen Clarvoe, a troubled woman who becomes entangled in a web of deception and manipulation. When Helen receives a series of disturbing phone calls from an unknown caller, she becomes convinced that someone is out to destroy her life. As she desperately tries to uncover the identity of her tormentor, Helen finds herself questioning her own sanity and unraveling dark secrets from her past. With its intricate plot and complex characters, this suspenseful novel explores themes of obsession, betrayal, and the fragile nature of the human mind.

    The 1083rd Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 47. The Ipcress File by Len Deighton

    The novel is a cold war espionage thriller that follows an unnamed British intelligence agent who is tasked with investigating the mysterious disappearances of prominent scientists. As he delves deeper into the case, he finds himself entangled in a complex web of intrigue, betrayal, and brainwashing. Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, the protagonist navigates the shadowy corridors of international espionage, dealing with cryptic codes, high-stakes negotiations, and the ever-present threat of a global conflict. With its gritty realism and intricate plot, the story offers a gripping look into the world of spies and the psychological toll of undercover operations.

    The 1117th Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 48. The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon

    The novel is a political thriller that delves into the dark world of espionage and brainwashing during the Cold War. It follows the story of a former prisoner of war who, upon returning to the United States, is hailed as a war hero. Unbeknownst to him and the public, he has been programmed by a foreign power to be an unwitting assassin. His conditioning is triggered by a complex set of stimuli, and he is directed to carry out a high-profile political assassination that could alter the course of history. As the plot unfolds, a fellow soldier begins to unravel the conspiracy, racing against time to prevent the programmed soldier from executing his deadly mission, which is orchestrated by a Communist conspiracy aiming to seize control of the American government.

    The 1191st Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 49. Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley

    Set in 1940s Los Angeles, the novel follows an African American war veteran who, after losing his job, becomes a private investigator to pay his mortgage. He is hired to find a white woman known to frequent African American jazz clubs, and in the process, he gets entangled in a web of political scandal and corruption. The story explores themes of race, class, and the complex social dynamics of the time.

    The 1219th Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 50. The Moving Toyshop by Edmund Crispin

    In this classic British detective novel, a poet on holiday in Oxford stumbles upon a woman's body in a toyshop at night, only to find the shop has vanished by morning. Teaming up with an eccentric literature professor, the poet embarks on a whimsical and cerebral quest to solve the mystery, navigating a labyrinth of literary references, quirky characters, and puzzling clues. The story combines elements of farce and traditional whodunit, leading to a climactic chase and an unexpected twist, all set against the backdrop of the historic university town.

    The 1224th Greatest Book of All Time

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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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