About this list

Wall Street Journal, 25 Books

This list shines a spotlight on the 25 best mystery novels of the past 25 years, emphasizing the emergence of new writers in the crime fiction genre while still acknowledging the contributions of seasoned authors. Curated by Tom Nolan for the Wall Street Journal, the selection prioritizes narratives that tell gripping stories in memorable ways, with a preference for those who have risen to prominence in recent decades. The methodology appears to focus on the storytelling prowess and impact of each novel rather than popularity or sales figures.

Who Voted: Tom Nolan

This list was originally published in 2025 and was added to this site 11 months ago.