I love Agatha Christie and have read almost all of her books. Looking for books that have that type of feel but are more modern. I’ve read most of the modern psychological thrillers that tend to be pretty formulaic, like Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, Gilly Macmillan, Lisa Jewell, BA Paris, Shari Lapena, Alice Feeney, Freida Macfadden, so I’d like something that’s a bit more unique than those.
Looking for books like these that I’ve really enjoyed:
– Eight Perfect Murders, The Kind Worth Killing & Nine Lives by Peter Swanson (I’ve read most of his books but those are my favourites)
– Sharp Objects & Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
– The Twyford Code & The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett
– Magpie Murders series by Anthony Horowitz
– Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
– Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier
In particular I really loved how Eight Perfect Murders pays homage to other older mysteries.
by purplespider2024
6 Comments
Stuart Turton writes mysteries that feel like old school mysteries (uncovering clues, cast of suspects rather than thrills and reveals) but with a supernatural twist. I liked The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, a dinner party mystery where the main character relives the day of the murder over and over again in a different guests body each time. It gets a bit silly when he starts talking to himself in the other bodies but the mystery itself was fun.
Defending Jacob by William Landay is a good one that is a bit more focused on the character than on the mystery thriller formula, a prosecutor has to grapple with his son being the main suspect in a murder case and his discovery of research into whether or not sociopathy is genetic.
I 1000% agree with you on the formulaic-ness of the authors you listed above, so trust me when I say that Tana French and Jane Harper are in a whole other league. If you like contemporary/literary detective fiction and haven’t read them yet, definitely start there. I also love Gytha Lodge, although I’d say she’s a bit more “typical” (if exceptionally talented, IMO).
Also, since you mentioned Magpie Murders, have you read the Hawthorne and Horowitz series (first book: The Word is Murder)? They’re great fun and very self-aware.
Alternatively, if you want something similar to Agatha Christie but also… not, check out some of the Japanese detective novels that have been translated in recent years. I’ve been loving the Kosuke Kindaichi series (first book: The Honjin Murders), by Seishi Yokomizo, as well as The Decagon House Murders, by Yukito Ayatsuji.
I really enjoyed Ruth Rendell’s Inspector Wexford series.
Darker, “Scottish noir,” but beautifully written: Val McDermid’s Karen Pirie series. Much darker and gorier, but also beautifully written with great characters: McDermid’s “Wire in the Blood” series.
I also liked:
Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie series
Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series and We Solve Murders
It sounds from the books you like that you enjoy traditional mysteries with in-depth characters and classic elements.
Agree with commentator below about Tana French – they’re excellent novels with deep characterization. She comes from a theatre background and it shows in the dialogue and pacing of her books.
You might enjoy Keigo Higashino’s mysteries: The Devotion of Suspect X, Malice, Salvation of a Saint
The Appeal by Janice Hallett – I saw that you read other books by Hallett; I really enjoyed this one
Robert Goddard’s The Fine Art of Invisible Detection and the sequel, The Fine Art of Uncanny Prediction featuring a Japanese female PI.
M.L. Longsworth writes the Antoine Verlaine series set in Avignon. Lovely series with recurring characters, fabulous setting and interesting mysteries.
One more! Tracee de Hahn writes about a police inspector with an American background living in Switzerland. The first, Swiss Vendetta, is set in a medieval castle where secrets from the past come back to haunt the aristocratic family who lives there. A Well-timed Murder explores the world of intricate Swiss timepieces.
Yes to Tana French, she’s great.
Also try the Jackson Brodie series by Kate Atkinson.
You mentioned Janice Hallett, read The Appeal if you haven’t already!
Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton is more psychological and literary than a proper whodunnit
, but I loved it and read it in one day.