The Greatest "Mystery, Fiction, Fantasy" Books Since 1900

Click to learn how this list is calculated.

This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 305 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

Filter by: Genres Dates Countries
Follow on:

Genres

Mystery

The Mystery genre is a category of books that typically involves a crime, puzzle, or enigma that needs to be solved by the protagonist or a group of characters. These books often feature suspenseful and thrilling plotlines, with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers engaged and guessing until the very end. Mystery novels can range from cozy mysteries, which are lighter and more lighthearted, to hard-boiled detective stories, which are darker and more gritty. Overall, the Mystery genre is a popular and diverse category of books that appeals to readers who enjoy solving puzzles and uncovering secrets.

Fiction

Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre of literature that typically involves imaginative and supernatural elements, often set in a fictional world or alternate reality. These stories often feature mythical creatures, magic, and epic battles between good and evil. Fantasy books can range from high fantasy, which includes complex world-building and intricate plotlines, to urban fantasy, which blends fantastical elements with contemporary settings. The genre allows readers to escape into a world of wonder and adventure, where anything is possible.

Add additional genre filters

Countries

Date Range

Filter

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download
  1. 26. Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

    In this young adult fantasy novel, we follow the story of a Lipan Apache teenager with the unique ability to awaken the ghosts of dead animals, a skill passed down through generations of her family. When her cousin dies under mysterious circumstances, she sets out to uncover the truth behind his death, delving into a small town's dark secrets. Alongside her ghost dog sidekick, she navigates a world filled with magic, spirits, and creatures from folklore, confronting the intersection of her Indigenous culture and the supernatural realm. Her journey tests her courage and her ancestral gifts, as she seeks justice and upholds her family's legacy.

    The 9416th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 27. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

    The book revolves around a young woman with a troubled past who is given a second chance through a scholarship to an elite university, where she becomes involved with the secretive societies that practice magic and the occult. Tasked with monitoring their activities, she uncovers a series of supernatural crimes and mysteries that she must solve, using her own newfound magical abilities and wits. As she delves deeper into the university's hidden world, she confronts the dark power and privilege that fuel these ancient organizations, while also grappling with her own personal demons and histories.

    The 9610th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 28. The Shadow Year by Jeffrey Ford

    In "The Shadow Year," a coming-of-age tale is woven around a young boy and his siblings as they navigate the complexities of childhood in 1960s suburban America. The novel captures the essence of innocence and the loss thereof, as the siblings create a miniature replica of their town in their basement, which becomes a fantastical escape from reality. However, their make-believe world is threatened by a series of mysterious and sinister events in their actual town, leading them to confront a creeping darkness that parallels their transition from the simplicity of childhood to the murkier shades of adult life. The story is a poignant exploration of memory, reality, and the shadows that linger at the edges of innocence.

    The 9682nd Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 29. A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark

    Set in an alternate Cairo at the turn of the 20th century, where magic and steampunk technology infuse the air, the story follows Fatma el-Sha’arawi, the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities. When someone claiming to be al-Jahiz, the famed Sufi mystic who opened the veil to the magical realm forty years prior, returns to wreak havoc in the form of a murderous cult, Fatma must unravel the mystery behind this imposter. With the help of her new partner, a clever ministry bureaucrat, and her girlfriend, an enigmatic lounge singer, Fatma delves into a world of djinn and gods to prevent the imposter's diabolical plot from unleashing chaos upon the world.

    The 10580th Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 30. Thraxas by Martin Scott

    In the fantasy noir novel, the protagonist is a down-on-his-luck private investigator and sorcerer living in a city rife with crime, magic, and political intrigue. Despite his penchant for overindulgence in ale and a gambling habit that keeps him perpetually short on funds, he's drawn into a complex case involving a stolen item of great importance, a murder mystery, and a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of society. With his sharp wit, magical skills, and a tough female bodyguard by his side, he navigates through a series of dangerous and humorous encounters, determined to crack the case and restore a semblance of order to his chaotic world.

    The 10593rd Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 31. Declare by Tim Powers

    In this supernatural espionage thriller, a British intelligence agent uncovers a secret history of paranormal forces and Cold War intrigue. The protagonist is drawn into a world where mythical creatures and occult rituals are entwined with real historical events, particularly those involving the Soviet Union. As he navigates a shadowy battlefield that spans from the ruins of post-war Europe to the deserts of the Middle East, he must confront a demonic entity and unravel a conspiracy that challenges his understanding of reality, all while grappling with personal demons and a complex love interest. The novel blends historical fact with dark fantasy, creating a unique tapestry of suspense and supernatural warfare.

    The 10607th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 32. Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

    This novel unfolds in a mysterious 24-hour bookstore in San Francisco, where the protagonist, Clay Jannon, discovers the store is a facade for a much larger, enigmatic puzzle. As Clay delves deeper into the store's secrets, he finds himself at the heart of a centuries-old conflict between technology and traditional knowledge. With the help of friends, technology, and his own ingenuity, Clay embarks on a high-tech adventure, exploring the intersection of books, technology, and the quest for immortality. The story is a celebration of the love for books in the digital age, blending mystery, history, and technology in a captivating narrative.

    The 10925th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 33. Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer

    "Acceptance" is the final installment in a science fiction trilogy that delves into the mysteries of Area X, a surreal and ever-changing landscape that defies explanation and has claimed the lives and sanity of many who have ventured into it. As the narrative shifts between multiple characters and timelines, the novel explores the fates of the expedition members, the origins of Area X, and the secretive agency attempting to understand it. The story weaves together the past and present, blending elements of horror, environmental science, and psychological drama to reveal the profound and often terrifying transformations wrought by this enigmatic zone. Through the eyes of a lighthouse keeper, a former director of the agency, and others deeply affected by Area X, the book examines themes of identity, the human impact on the environment, and the unknowable nature of the world around us.

    The 11104th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download