Hello everyone! I have a holiday coming up and I’m hoping to bring a few mysteries that are enjoyable and easy to sink into, while still having satisfying, well constructed puzzles at the centre.
I’m in the mood for mysteries or classic-style whodunnits where the mystery itself is really the point of the book. I tend to enjoy stories that are clever, well put together, and focused on clues and deduction, with a solution that feels fair once everything clicks. I like fun characters, but I usually connect more with books where the investigation stays front and centre rather than the story being driven mostly by personal relationships.
Some examples of things that have worked well for me are Agatha Christie’s books (i’ve read almost all of them at this point) and I really enjoyed Janice Hallett’s books, particularly The Killer Question, which I felt balanced character and mystery nicely. I’m also a fan of the Knives Out films for similar reasons.
On the flip side, a few popular cosy mysteries just weren’t quite for me, even though I know a lot of people love them. Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers leaned more into character relationships than I personally prefer, and Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club books didn’t fully click with me in terms of mystery focus.
I’m open to both classic and modern recommendations, whether standalones or series, as long as the mystery is doing most of the work. I’d love to hear any suggestions that might fit this vibe. Thanks so much!
by FastBlueberry6550