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Gripping witty mystery books
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items I read a lot of mysteries, with a preference for British authors, preferably with subtle (or even devastating) wit interspersed. This is a selection of some of my favorites, those from whom I wait impatiently for new books. Hopefully you'll discover new writers!
Sections
4
General
paranormal/fantasy
British
Thrillers
General
If you haven't read the Gamache series, you're in for a treat. The last one particularly resonates with current actuality. (affiliate link)
Louise Penny's Gamache series
I read this one just before the aborted Korean coup d'état. Politicians and oligarchs trying to disrupt a country to take full control by force… rings any bell? (affiliate link)
The Grey Wolf (Chief Inspector Gamache Series #19)|Hardcover
I think this is my favorite book in the Gamache series. But then it involves a choir and I sing too. (affiliate link)
The Beautiful Mystery (Chief Inspector Gamache Series #8)|Paperback
A jubilatory read. Beware of older women!
Killers of a Certain Age (Killers of a Certain Age, #1) - Deanna Raybourn
A chilling descent into stalking
None of This Is True - Lisa Jewell
The 1st book in the Burglar series. I love Bernie!
Burglars Can't Be Choosers (Bernie Rhodenbarr Series #1)| Lawrence Block
The first book of the Kinsey Milhone series, which I've read several times. The series that is, not just this book.
"A" Is for Alibi (Kinsey Millhone Series #1) by Sue Grafton
Oops, it appears I've not read the last ones in the series. Off to buy it right away!
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Y Is for Yesterday (Kinsey Millhone Series #25)| Sue Grafton
And another one I didn't realize was out. You'll find me in the reading room.
X Is For (A Kinsey Millhone Mystery)
Dark chilling psychological thriller
Alone (Detective D. D. Warren Series #1) - Lisa Gardner
HIlarious and fast paced.
How to Age Disgracefully - Clare Pooley
In my reading pile
Darling Girls: A Novel| Sally Hepworth
Fascinating and slightly nostalgic although not as bloody as other Quinn books.
The Briar Club - Kate Quinn
Not sure they really qualify as mysteries but delightful anyway.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series #1)| Alexander McCall Smith
It's already become a classic. Thrilling, gripping, dark… a perfect thriller.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Series #1)| Stief Larsson
An interesting mystery with a double twist, written by a young local Swiss writer who became famous thanks to this book.
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair - Joel Dicker
I love that the hero is named after a childhood haunt of mine, the piscine Molitor in Boulogne.
Life of Pi: A Novel| Yann Martel
Waiting for the second one. Surprisingly good period mystery starring a high-society spinster.
The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies - Alison Goodman
Read it way before the movie came out. Moriarty is a master at building up suspense.
Big Little Lies| Liane MOriarty
What happens at the yoga retreat…
Nine Perfect Strangers| Liane Moriarty
How well do you know your husband? Gripping.
Famous Last Words: A Novel| Gillian McAllister
Gripping thriller. A page turner.
The Crash | Freida McFadden
I'm a big fan of Louise Penny. This is the latest Gamache book and the continuation of the previous one, The Grey Wolf. It's disturbing in the sense that the events related echo the current state of the world in a frighteningly real manner.
The Black Wolf (Chief Inspector Gamache Series #20)| Louise Penny
On my to be read list. It was recently brought to my attention in a list of 10 best books of 2026.
The Midnight Feast: A Novel| Lucy Foley
Lucy Foley wrote a new Miss Marple book. Next on my reading pile, I'll let you know but it doesn't come out until september.
Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel: The New Miss Marple Mystery (Signed B&N Exclusive Book)|Signed Exclusive
I love good books with a humorous tone.
All the Other Mothers Hate Me| Sarah Harman
Another oe of the best books of 2026 on my reading list. Have you read it?
My Husband's Wife: A Novel| Alice Feeney
I read this one last year and loved the mix of Regency period with mystery. And there's a second one out already so you don't have to wait as I did.
The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies| Alison Goodman
paranormal/fantasy
Mysteries with a fantasy element
Another series from CK McDonnell, with reminiscences of Terry Pratchett. Witty and captivating, with a little bit of paranormal fun. (affiliate link)
The Stranger Times – paranormal fiction and news
If you've never read the Thursday Next series, you're in for a treat. A must-read for all literature lovers. This is the first one in the series. It's a mix of comic fantasy, alternate history and mystery.
The Eyre Affair (Thursday Next Series #1)| Jasper Fforde
Fascinating!
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell - Susanna Clarke
British
Wit coupled with fast paced adventure… you must read Christopher Brookmyre! The perfect mix of wit and action. This is the first in a trilogy that I absolutely love. (affiliate link)
The Sacred Art of Stealing| Brookmyre
The first Parlabane book. I wish I hadn't read them just for the pleasure of rediscovering them again. (affiliate link)
Quite Ugly One Morning (Jack Parlabane Series #1)|Paperback
Complex plot, wit galore, lovable characters… I wish he wrote faster! (affiliate link)
The Thursday Murder Club (Thursday Murder Club Series #1)| Richard Osman
A new Richard Osman series, which I very much enjoyed. (affiliate link)
We Solve Murders: A Novel|BN Exclusive
A trilogy with 10 books so far… I subscribed to the newsletter just for the pleasure of reading more from him. (affiliate link)
The Dublin Trilogy by Caihm McDonnell
Another delightful British mystery writer. I wish he sold outside of Amazon though. (affiliate link)
DC Smith Investigation Series
A spin-off from the DC Smith series, just as good. (affiliate link)
Songbird: A Kings Lake Investigation
One of my favorites from PD James. I must have read it 10 times over the past 30 years. (affiliate link)
Shroud for a Nightingale (Adam Dalgliesh Series #4)|Paperback
The first book in the Inspector Lynley series. Much better than the TV series! (affiliate link)
A Great Deliverance (Inspector Lynley Series #1)|Paperback
My favorite from the Cormoran Strike series. Say what you wnat about her, that woman can write! (affiliate link)
The Running Grave (Cormoran Strike Series #7)| Robert Galbraith
The first book in the Mary Russell series. I think the idea of a feminine pendant to Sherlock Holmes was inspired. I love this series and just realized I haven't read the latest one yet. Off to read! (affiliate link)
The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Series #1)|Paperback
A lovely story of Guernsey during WWII.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel|Paperback
Did I say I love Richard Osman? No need to add more… this is the 5th book in the Thursday Murder Club series by the way. I love it as much as his other books.
The Impossible Fortune (Thursday Murder Club Series #5)| Richard Osmna
Chris Broomyre is one of my favorite authors hands down. I'm finishing it and I'll admit that I saw the plot twist coming because of another Brookmyre book I've read. Still as enjoyable as his other ones.
The Cracked Mirror by Chris Brookmyre
I'm a huge fan of P.D. James. I've probably re-read this one 5 times. I love the atmosphere, so typically British and extremely well written.
Shroud for a Nightingale (Adam Dalgliesh Series #4)| P. D. James
I read this one last year and loved the mix of Regency and mystery. And there's a second one out now so you don't have to wait as I did.
The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies| Alison Goodman
The sequel to The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies, which I loved. It's a mix between Regency romance and mystery.
The Ill-Mannered Ladies The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin, Alison Goodman
WHile I love all of P.D. James books, this one is one of her most accomplished. It has stayed with me even though I first read it at least 30 years ago. There is something fascinating about monasteries, where this one is set. And Dalgliesh is a truly...
Death in Holy Orders (Adam Dalgliesh Series #11)| P.D. James
Thrillers
I love Jo Nesbo. This one is a standalone and a very good one. I like that his hero is always someone you can relate to.
Blood on Snow| Jo Nesbo
The first in the Harry Hole series. The quintessential tortured PI thriller. I'm addicted to the whole series!
The Bat (Harry Hole Series #1) - Jo Nesbo
The last book in the Harry Hole series, next on my reading list.
Killing Moon (Harry Hole Series #13)| Jo Nesbo
I have a soft spot for this one as it features a glassblower and I am a glassblower. I use it all the time as an example of what happens when glass cools down improperly… you have to read it to understand!
Shattered|eBook
I have a soft spot for Kinky Friedman's mysteries. Have you read any?
Greenwich Killing Time| Kinky Friedman