The mystery genre offers a wide range of suspense levels, from “cozy” (inferred violence) to police procedurals and detective stories (more explicit violence). Mysteries can be whodunits or can explore the means and motives of the criminal(s). Mystery novels have a range of sub-genres; some of the most common being romantic suspense, cozy, Scandinavian, gritty noir, and historical. Sleuths can be professional detectives/police, amateur detectives, or everyday people. If you aren’t sure what you’re looking for, ask for help! We’ll be sure to find you just the right mystery novel!
SUSPENSE
James Patterson
J.A. Jance
Sue Grafton
Ace Atkins
Iris Johansen
Lisa Scottoline
Kathy Reichs
Patricia Cornwell
Heather Graham
Stuart Woods
Lee Child
Harlan Coben
Lisa Gardner
Catherine Coulter
Michael Palmer
John Sandford
Karen Slaughter
J.D. Robb
Laura Lippman
Tami Hoag
John Sandford
Robert B. Parker
James Lee Burke
Carol Higgins Clark
Michael Connelly
Jeffrey Deaver
Janet Evanovich
Tess Gerritson
Jude Deveraux
Jonathan Kellerman
HISTORICAL
Rhys Bowen
Elly Griffiths
Anne Perry
M.C. Beaton
Charles Todd
Deanna Raybourn
Laurie R. King
Jessica Fellows
Elizabeth Peters
Jaqueline Winspear
Amy Stewart
BRITISH
Kate Atkinson
Fiona Barton
Louise Penny
Martha Grimes
Tana French
Robert Galbraith
COZY
Joanne Fluke
Laura Childs
Carolyn Hart
Ann B. Ross
Eva Gates
Joan Hess
Tamar Myers
David Rosenfelt
Rita Mae Brown
Donna Andrews
Charlaine Harris
Spencer Quinn
Diane Kelly
Monica Ferris
Kellye Garrett
Lynne Hinton
Mary Daheim
Dorothy Gilman
Nancy Atherton
Laurien Berenson
Susan Wittig Albert
Diane Mott Davidson
SCANDINAVIAN
Stieg Larsson
Jo Nesbø
Jussi Adler-Olsen
Sara Blaedel
Suspense
CLASSIC
Agatha Christie
Dorothy Sayers
P.D. James
Ruth Rendell
Arthur Conan Doyle
Rex Stout
Elmore Leonard
P.G. Wodehouse
Walter Mosley
WESTERN
C.J. Box
Nevada Barr
Craig Johnson
Margaret Coel
Anne Hillerman
Nevada Barr