Exceptional Books discussion

Please list what you believe to be the top mystery novels you've ever read here.

1. by Robert B. Parker
2. by Dennis Lehane
3. by Robert Crais
4. by Denise Hamilton
5. by Earlene Fowler

The Alienist by Caleb Carr

The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins

Steig Larson's trilogy is an absolute must-read!
The girl with the Dragon tattoo
the girl who kicked the hornets nest
the girl who played with fire

I don't think I've ever been so wrapped up in a mystery series as I was with this one.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, The Manhattan Hunt Club by John Saul, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, The Hound of the Baskervilles by A.C. Doyle, Tell No One by Harlan Coben, Chasing the Dime by Michael Connelly.

Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr
If Ever I Return, Pretty Peggy-O by Sharyn McCrumb
Mallory's Oracle by Carol O'Connell
Gravity by Tess Gerritsen. I like her stand alone stories best.

I would suggest to add the following mystery novels to this list:

1. The Hound of the Baskervilles: Best horror story and mystery I've read.
2. The Westing Game: Really funny, with a great twist near the end and great characters.

How about Murder on the Orient Express? Definitely a classic, and Agatha Christie is the best-read mystery author of all time :)
I also definitely second the motion on The Westing Game! Great book, and I enjoyed it tremendously.

hermione315 wrote: "How about Murder on the Orient Express? Definitely a classic, and Agatha Christie is the best-read mystery author of all time :)
I also definitely second the motion on [book:The Westi..."

I can't believe that I still haven't read an Agatha Christie book, I'm beginning to feel like the only person in the world who hasn't. LOL

You aren't, I've never read any Christie books either :)

Lisa wrote: "You aren't, I've never read any Christie books either :)"

Ok, thanks :) I feel better!

Started Early, Took My Dog is an outstanding mystery. I was attracted by the title and was astounded at the character development, the insight, the pure, poetic writing.

Colleen wrote: "Lisa wrote: "You aren't, I've never read any Christie books either :)"

Ok, thanks :) I feel better!"

Probably not the right place to post this, but I would recommend Christie's
Murder on the Orient Express as a great first Christie mystery! :) She really is a mystery genius and her books have just the right amount of bizarre events, macabre deaths, and brilliant detective work that makes them so very much enjoyable to read :)

Hermione wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Lisa wrote: "You aren't, I've never read any Christie books either :)"

Ok, thanks :) I feel better!"

Probably not the right place to post this, but I would recommend Christie's
..."

I think, when I pick one of her books, I will start with that one, thanks!

Can still remember reading my first AC when I was a kid because my grandmother had just given my her Agatha books. My favs: Murder of Roger Ackroyd, And Then There were None, and Endless Night.

Other mysteries I love: Devil & the White City, The Shadow on the Wind, The Book Thief and House of Leaves (a crazy crazy novel so be prepared). Happy Reading.

The Moonstone is a great read and also Lady Audley's Secret, which I found when I first bought my kindle. I really enjoyed it.

Hi, newbie Dorothy again. I really enjoy both Elizabeth George and Minnette Walters-great storytellers, both, and I am told, direct literary descendants of Christie, whom I haven't read either, Lisa and Colleen.

Would one of you want to take over the mystery thread as moderator?

Linda wrote: "The Moonstone is a great read and also Lady Audley's Secret, which I found when I first bought my kindle. I really enjoyed it."

The Moonstone is really such a great book, thanks for bringing it up! I need to go dig up my copy and re-read it... :)

Jeffrey Deaver is always very good at adding twists and turns to his books. They often keep me guessing until the end.

Hi Everyone,

Almeta, who is much better versed in mystery books than I am, will now be the moderator of this section.

Colleen wrote: "Hi Everyone,

Almeta, who is much better versed in mystery books than I am, will now be the moderator of this section."

Hello Mystery fans.

I have created sub-categories for various mystery types.

Pick your favorite categories and name your poison, so to speak.

Note that there are elements of mystery in many novels. Some of these have thier own major listing, such as Ghost Stories, SciFi, Fantasy, Romance, etc. If your favorites fall in those categories, they will have a better chance of making the Top 100 list, if you post them under those headings.

If I've misssed a category that you believe would fit under the Top 100 Mysteries umbrella, let me know.

It is going to be quite a task to ultimately vote on the best 100 mysteries with such a vast spectrum.

Currently, we have 12 Mystery sub-genre categories.

Anyone have more to add?

In order to compile a list of the Top 100 Mysteries, I suggest that we ultimately vote in each category and then combine the top winners for a Top list.

Does this suit everyone? Any other suggestions?

Has anyone suggested Tana French's three books? In the Woods, The Likeness, and Faithful Place. They're fantastic.

Penny wrote: "Never forget the leading lady of Mystery: Agatha Christie , how about: The Murder of Roger Akroyd!"

I am moving this entry to the Top Cozy topic.

Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Has anyone suggested Tana French's three books? In the Woods, The Likeness, and Faithful Place. They're fantastic."

Probably psychological thrillers.

Hermione wrote: "How about Murder on the Orient Express? Definitely a classic, and Agatha Christie is the best-read mystery author of all time :)."

I am placing Murder on the Orient Express under the "Softer-Boiled Detective" Topic.

I'm going to close this section to further comment, so that I can transfer all of the suggestions to the categories.

Please put your new submissions under the sub-genre to which they belong.

Don't forget to make a comment about why you believe your entry to be Exceptional.

Thanks