A must - read from the 2019 mystery fiction is 'The Institute' by Stephen King. It has King's signature blend of mystery, horror, and the exploration of the human psyche. The story follows a young boy who is kidnapped and taken to a mysterious institute where strange experiments are taking place.
One great mystery book from 2017 fiction is 'The Dry' by Jane Harper. It has a captivating plot set in a drought - stricken Australian town. The mystery unfolds as a detective returns to his hometown to investigate a murder - suicide case, only to find there are deeper secrets lurking. Another good one is 'Tangerine' by Christine Mangan. It's set in Tangier and is filled with a sense of mystery and unease as the relationship between two women becomes more and more complex. And 'The Woman in the Window' by A. J. Finn is also notable. The main character, an agoraphobic woman, believes she witnesses a crime from her window, leading to a series of suspenseful events.
Some of the best mystery crime fiction books include 'Sherlock Holmes' stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes' deductive reasoning skills are legendary. 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett is another classic. The hunt for the valuable statuette is filled with double - crosses and mystery. Also, 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' by Alexander McCall Smith is a great read. It features a female detective in Botswana, and the stories are both charming and full of mystery, often dealing with local crimes and human nature in a unique way.
One great murder mystery book is 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie. It's a classic where ten strangers are lured to an isolated island and start getting murdered one by one. The suspense builds as the survivors try to figure out who the killer is among them. Christie is a master of this genre, and this book is full of twists and turns.
One great mystery thriller is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It keeps you guessing with its complex characters and plot twists. The story revolves around a man whose wife disappears, and as the investigation unfolds, secrets are revealed that completely change the perception of the situation.
I highly recommend 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens. Although it's not a typical mystery in the sense of a crime, the mystery of Scrooge's change is fascinating. Another good one is 'The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle' which is a short and sweet Sherlock Holmes mystery set at Christmas. And don't forget 'Hercule Poirot's Christmas' where Poirot has to figure out who the killer is during the holiday.
Another great one is 'The Nickel Boys' by Colson Whitehead. Although it's not a traditional mystery in the sense of a whodunit, it has elements of mystery as it delves into the dark secrets of a reform school. It's a powerful exploration of race and injustice in America.
Another good one is 'This Present Darkness' by Frank E. Peretti. It delves into the spiritual battle that rages unseen around us. The story weaves together the lives of ordinary people with the supernatural forces at work, which makes it a really engaging mystery in the Christian fiction genre.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness is another top pick. It combines elements of history, magic, and mystery. The story follows a witch who discovers a long - lost manuscript, which sets off a chain of events full of mystery and danger, as she also gets involved with a vampire.
Some good Christmas fiction mystery books include 'The Christmas Train' by David Baldacci. It weaves a mystery around a train journey during Christmas. 'A Fatal Grace' by Louise Penny is also great. It has a small - town Quebec setting during Christmas time and a complex mystery to solve. Then there's 'The Darkest Evening' by Ann Cleeves. It's a Vera Stanhope mystery set during the Christmas holidays.
I think 'An American Marriage' by Tayari Jones has elements that can be considered in the mystery fiction of 2018. It's a story about a marriage torn apart by a false accusation of rape. The mystery lies in the truth behind the accusation and how the characters deal with it. It's a complex exploration of relationships and the justice system.