The Greatest American "Mystery" Books of All Time

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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.

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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.

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  1. 51. Where Are The Children? by Mary Higgins Clark

    In this gripping psychological thriller, a young mother named Nancy Harmon finds herself living a nightmare when her two young children mysteriously disappear without a trace. Years later, after starting a new life and having two more children, Nancy's past comes back to haunt her as she becomes the prime suspect in a series of chilling murders. As she fights to clear her name and uncover the truth, Nancy must confront her darkest secrets and face a relentless killer who will stop at nothing to keep his own secrets hidden.

    The 1935th Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 52. Cop Hater by Ed McBain

    In the gritty urban landscape of the 87th Precinct, a series of brutal murders targeting police officers sends shockwaves through the force. As detectives scramble to find a pattern and motive behind the killings, they must navigate the treacherous streets and the complexities of their personal lives. The novel delves into the lives of the cops, their camaraderie, and the relentless pressure of working on a case where they themselves are the targets. With each officer's death, the tension mounts, and the precinct must catch the murderer before fear undermines their duty to protect and serve.

    The 2011th Greatest Book of All Time
  3. 53. Last Seen Wearing ... by Hillary Waugh

    In this gripping police procedural, a young college girl vanishes without a trace, leaving behind a campus riddled with secrets and a police force grasping at straws. As the investigation unfolds, the meticulous and relentless detective in charge must sift through a myriad of misleading clues, false leads, and dead ends. With the pressure mounting and the public's anxiety at a fever pitch, the detective's dogged pursuit of the truth leads to a chilling and unexpected conclusion, showcasing the tenacity required in the search for justice when all that remains of a victim is the memory of what they were last seen wearing.

    The 2050th Greatest Book of All Time
  4. 54. The Chill by Ross Macdonald

    In "The Chill," a private investigator named Lew Archer is hired by a wealthy family to find their missing son, who disappeared during a camping trip in the Sierra Nevada mountains. As Archer delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of secrets, lies, and betrayals that stretches back years. With each new revelation, Archer must navigate the treacherous waters of a dysfunctional family and a small town filled with corruption and violence, all while trying to bring the missing son home safely.

    The 2052nd Greatest Book of All Time
  5. 55. The Lady In The Lake by Raymond Chandler

    In this classic hard-boiled detective novel, a wisecracking private investigator is hired to find the missing wife of a wealthy businessman, only to become embroiled in a complex web of deceit, corruption, and murder. As he delves deeper into the case, he encounters a cast of shady characters and uncovers a trail of betrayal that leads him to a remote mountain lake, where the discovery of a body threatens to expose the dark secrets of a seemingly tranquil town. With sharp dialogue and a gritty portrayal of 1940s Los Angeles, the detective navigates through the twists and turns of the investigation, determined to solve the mystery of the lady in the lake.

    The 2061st Greatest Book of All Time
  6. 56. Home Sweet Homicide by Craig Rice

    "Home Sweet Homicide" follows three precocious siblings who become amateur detectives when a murder takes place in their apartment building. With their mother being a famous mystery writer, the children are well-versed in crime-solving techniques and eagerly take on the challenge. As they uncover clues and interrogate suspects, the siblings find themselves entangled in a web of secrets and danger, ultimately leading them to the shocking truth behind the murder. This witty and fast-paced mystery novel showcases the unique perspective of young sleuths, blending humor and suspense into an entertaining read.

    The 2085th Greatest Book of All Time
  7. 57. The Alienist by Caleb Carr

    Set in 1896 New York City, the novel follows a journalist and his friend, a psychologist (or "alienist"), as they work on an investigation into a series of gruesome murders of boy prostitutes. The team employs psychological profiling and early forensic methods to hunt down the serial killer. The book delves into the seedy underbelly of the city, exploring the grim realities of life at the time.

    The 3354th Greatest Book of All Time
  8. 58. LaBrava by Elmore Leonard

    A former Secret Service agent turned photographer, Joe LaBrava, becomes entangled in a plot involving a faded movie star, Jean Shaw, whom he idolized in his youth. The story is set in Miami, where LaBrava is drawn into a scheme by Shaw and her lover to scam a mobster out of a large sum of money. As LaBrava gets deeper into the plot, he must use his old skills to navigate the dangerous underworld and protect Shaw, while also dealing with his feelings for her.

    The 2131st Greatest Book of All Time
  9. 59. If He Hollers Let Him Go by Chester Himes

    Set in Los Angeles during World War II, the novel follows the life of an African-American shipyard worker who is battling racial tensions and discrimination. The protagonist, constantly living in fear of being falsely accused of a crime because of his race, is also dealing with a complicated relationship with a white woman, further complicating his life. The book explores the themes of race, class, and the psychological effects of racism and discrimination.

    The 2133rd Greatest Book of All Time
  10. 60. Who Made Stevie Crye? by Michael Bishop

    In "Who Made Stevie Crye?" a brilliant scientist named Victor Huntley creates a lifelike android named Stevie, who becomes his lover. However, when Stevie mysteriously malfunctions, Huntley's life takes a dark turn. As he desperately tries to fix Stevie, he becomes entangled in a web of deceit, betrayal, and murder. With a blend of science fiction and psychological thriller, this gripping novel explores the boundaries of love, obsession, and the consequences of playing god.

    The 2157th Greatest Book of All Time
  11. 61. The First Deadly Sin by Lawrence Sanders

    In this gripping crime novel, a seasoned New York City detective is on the brink of retirement when he's drawn into a challenging and high-stakes investigation. The city is terrorized by a series of brutal murders, each victim found with a small, mysterious token left by the killer. As the detective delves deeper into the case, he must navigate a complex web of clues and confront his own personal demons, all while racing against time to stop the methodical murderer before they strike again. The novel combines a gritty police procedural with psychological depth, exploring the nature of obsession and the cost of justice.

    The 2204th Greatest Book of All Time
  12. 62. The Caves Of Steel by Isaac Asimov

    "The Caves of Steel" is a science fiction novel set in a future where Earth is heavily populated and humans live in massive enclosed cities. The story follows a detective and his robot partner as they investigate a murder that could potentially spark a conflict between Earth's human population and the Spacers, a group of humans who live on other planets. As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover a complex conspiracy that challenges their beliefs about robots, humanity, and the future of their world.

    The 2221st Greatest Book of All Time
  13. 63. Flicker by Theodore Roszak

    The novel is a thriller that delves into the world of subliminal messaging in film. The protagonist, a film scholar, becomes obsessed with the work of a mysterious B-movie director whose films seem to induce strange psychological effects on viewers. As he delves deeper into the director's work, he uncovers a shadowy conspiracy that reaches into the heart of Hollywood and the Catholic Church, leading him to question the nature of reality itself.

    The 2223rd Greatest Book of All Time
  14. 64. Boy's Life by Robert R. McCammon

    Set in the 1960s in the fictional town of Zephyr, Alabama, the novel follows the life of 12-year-old Cory Mackenson, whose life takes a mysterious turn when he witnesses his father attempt to save a man from a sinking car. The man is already handcuffed to the steering wheel, dead by strangulation. This event triggers a series of adventures and mysteries that Cory must unravel, all the while dealing with the challenges and joys of growing up. The book is a rich blend of nostalgia, magic realism, and the dark undercurrents of life in the American South.

    The 2233rd Greatest Book of All Time
  15. 65. Mean Spirit by Linda Hogan

    "Mean Spirit" by Linda Hogan is a gripping novel set in 1920s Oklahoma during the oil boom, where greed and violence run rampant. The story follows the lives of several interconnected characters, including members of the Osage Nation who are targeted for their newfound wealth and forced to confront a sinister conspiracy. As the tension escalates, the characters must navigate a treacherous landscape of corruption, racism, and murder, ultimately revealing the devastating consequences of unchecked power and the resilience of the human spirit.

    The 2269th Greatest Book of All Time
  16. 66. The Round House by Louise Erdrich

    A teenage boy navigates the complexities of life after his mother is brutally attacked on their reservation in North Dakota. As the legal system fails to bring justice due to jurisdictional issues, the boy takes matters into his own hands. The novel explores themes of tribal law, justice, and the transition into adulthood, all set against the backdrop of Native American culture and history.

    The 2313th Greatest Book of All Time
  17. 67. The Asphalt Jungle by W. R. Burnett

    This novel delves into the gritty underworld of urban crime, focusing on a meticulously planned jewelry heist that promises to be the ultimate payday for its diverse crew of small-time crooks and down-on-their-luck characters. However, as the operation unfolds, the group's carefully laid plans begin to unravel due to a mix of greed, betrayal, and the relentless pressure from law enforcement. Set against the backdrop of a bleak, post-war American city, the narrative explores themes of desperation, the elusive American dream, and the thin line between order and chaos in the pursuit of survival and redemption.

    The 2316th Greatest Book of All Time
  18. 68. L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy

    Set in 1950s Los Angeles, the novel follows three LAPD officers with different personalities and methods, who find themselves entwined in a web of corruption, sex, and murder. As they navigate the city's seedy underbelly, each officer faces his own moral dilemmas and personal demons, all while trying to solve a series of gruesome murders. The narrative explores themes of crime, power, and the thin line between right and wrong in a noir-style setting.

    The 2331st Greatest Book of All Time
  19. 69. The Intuitionist: A Novel by Colson Whitehead

    The novel is a blend of mystery and speculative fiction set in a parallel universe where elevator inspection is a high-stakes profession. The protagonist, the first black woman elevator inspector in a fictional city, is a member of the "Intuitionist" school of elevator inspection, which involves intuitive and psychic readings of elevators. When an elevator she inspects crashes, she is blamed for the incident and must delve into the political corruption and racial prejudice of her world to clear her name. Along the way, she discovers a mysterious notebook that may contain the secrets to perfecting elevators and changing her world forever.

    The 2362nd Greatest Book of All Time
  20. 70. Postmortem by Patricia Daniels Cornwell

    In this gripping crime thriller, a forensic pathologist named Kay Scarpetta finds herself in the midst of a serial killer investigation. As she delves into the brutal murders of several young women, Scarpetta must use her expertise to unravel the clues left behind by the sadistic murderer. With her own life in danger, Scarpetta races against time to catch the killer before he strikes again, leading to a shocking and unexpected conclusion.

    The 2368th Greatest Book of All Time
  21. 71. Collected Stories by Raymond Chandler

    "Collected Stories" is a compilation of short stories that showcase the author's signature noir style. The narratives are filled with complex plots, gritty settings, and cynical, hard-boiled characters, often featuring private detectives navigating the seedy underbelly of society. The collection highlights the author's distinct voice, characterized by sharp dialogue, vivid descriptions, and a keen observation of human nature.

    The 2381st Greatest Book of All Time
  22. 72. 11 22 63 by Stephen King

    "11/22/63" is a science fiction novel by Stephen King that follows the story of Jake Epping, a high school English teacher who discovers a portal that leads to 1958. After being convinced by his friend Al to use the portal to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Jake embarks on a journey through time to change the course of history. Along the way, he falls in love with a woman named Sadie and faces various obstacles that threaten to alter the timeline he is trying to change. The book explores themes of love, loss, and the consequences of trying to change the past.

    The 2441st Greatest Book of All Time
  23. 73. Six Days Of The Condor by James Grady

    In this espionage thriller, a CIA researcher who reads books to look for hidden messages returns from lunch to find all his coworkers murdered. Realizing he's now a target, he goes on the run, unsure of whom he can trust. Over the course of six tense days, he navigates a dangerous game of cat and mouse with his pursuers, using his intelligence and resourcefulness to stay one step ahead. As he seeks to uncover the reason behind the attack and who is responsible, he finds himself entangled in a deep conspiracy that reaches higher levels of power than he could have imagined.

    The 2450th Greatest Book of All Time
  24. 74. Blind Man with a Pistol by Chester Himes

    In the heart of Harlem, a blind man shoots his pistol aimlessly, setting off a series of chaotic events. Two detectives are tasked with investigating the resulting crimes, which include a restaurant bombing and a murder. The narrative is filled with dark humor, social commentary, and vivid descriptions of Harlem life, as the detectives navigate the complexities of their community and the absurdity of their situation.

    The 2454th Greatest Book of All Time
  25. 75. The Zebra Striped Hearse by Ross Macdonald

    In this gripping detective novel, the protagonist, a seasoned private investigator, is hired by a concerned father to delve into the background of his daughter's enigmatic fiancé, fearing the man's intentions are less than honorable. The investigation swiftly spirals from a simple background check into a complex web of deceit, murder, and long-buried family secrets. Set against the vivid backdrop of Southern California in the 1960s, the detective's journey leads him through a labyrinth of intriguing characters and twisted motives, where the truth is as elusive and shifting as the patterns on a zebra-striped hearse. This classic tale of suspense and intrigue masterfully combines psychological depth with a meticulously plotted mystery, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

    The 2454th Greatest Book of All Time

Reading Statistics

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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