An extensive (and always growing) list of mystery books and novels from around the world.
Have you read all of these?
Which are on your ‘to read’ list?
Which are the best?
The worst?
Any we should add?
This list is frequently updated whenever we have time or read new books. If you have any recommendations (from any country) please share in the comments!
Note that we define ‘Cozy Mystery’ as a work with minimal sex, violence, psychological intrigue, or gruesome depictions (e.g., not thriller – think Nancy Drew, Agatha Christie).
Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links or paid sponsorships. *Some works may deal with difficult / adult subjects or may be graphic to watch. You should read online reviews and read at your own discretion. The Suitcase Detective is not responsible for any consequences that come from you viewing or reading the following works. You should read online reviews and select at your own discretion. Some of the content on the sites or in the books listed may not be acceptable for minors. Incorporation into this list does not reflect the views or opinions of “The Suitcase Detective”; it is not a recommendation or endorsement.
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You can filter by Title, Genre, and Country. You can select multiple Genres or Countries and it will filter based on “either/or” (e.g., if both are selected, it will search for either Britain OR Canada). There is also a “Search Table” option below the Print/Export tools. This search will comb through all of the columns including Title, Genre, About, and Country.
Genres: Autopsy / Pathology, Blackmail / Extortion, Cozy Mystery, Criminal POV, Criminal Psychology, CyberCrime, Espionage, Falsely Accused, High School, Historical, Horror, Journalist, Kidnapping / Escape, Law, LGBT, Manga / Graphic Novels, Medical, National Police, Nosy Detective, Police Detective, Political, Private Detective, Scientific Evidence, SciFi & Fantasy, Supernatural, Time Travel, Treasure Hunt, True Crime, Vengeance, Vigilante Justice, Wuxia / Asian Fantasy
Mystery and Crime Novels
wdt_ID
Novel
Title
About
Read
Country
Genre
1
The Devotion of Suspect X
Detective Kusanagi catches a case involving a murder where the primary suspect has a seemingly unbreakable alibi. For help, Kusanagi reaches out to Dr. Manabu Yukawa ('Doctor Galileo'), an old college friend and brilliant physicist who often consults with the police. In a battle of genius, Galileo and Kusanagi work to defeat what may be their most clever and determined opponent yet.
Title: The Devotion of Suspect X Genres: Police Detective, Private Detective, Scientific Evidence Country: Japan Author: Keigo Higashino Series: Detective Galileo
A young “national model worker,” renowned for her adherence to the principles of the Communist Party, turns up dead in a Shanghai canal. As Inspector Chen Cao of the Shanghai Special Cases Bureau struggles to trace the hidden threads of her past, he finds himself challenging the very political forces that have guided his life since birth. Chen must tiptoe around his superiors if he wants to get to the bottom of this crime, and risk his career—perhaps even his life—to see justice done.
Title: Death of a Red Heroine Genre: Police Detective, Historical Country: China (Mainland) Author: Qiu Xiaolong Series: An Inspector Chen Mystery
China (Mainland)
Police Detective, Historical
3
Child 44
In a country ruled by fear, no one is innocent. Stalin's Soviet Union is an official paradise, where citizens live free from crime and fear only one thing: the all-powerful state. Defending this system is idealistic security officer Leo Demidov, a war hero who believes in the iron fist of the law. But when a murderer starts to kill at will and Leo dares to investigate, the State's obedient servant finds himself demoted and exiled. Now, with only his wife at his side, Leo must fight to uncover shocking truths about a killer-and a country where "crime" doesn't exist.
Title: Child 44 Genres: Police Detective, Criminal Psychology, Historical Country: Russia Author: Tom Robb Smith Series: The Child 44 Trilogy
Russia
Police Detective, Criminal Psychology, Historical
4
Cocaine Blues
It's the roaring 1920s when the honorable and risque Phryne Fisher decides it might be rather amusing to try her hand at being a lady detective in Melbourne, Australia. Soon she finds herself caught up in poisoned wives, cocaine smuggling rings, corrupt cops, and communism—not to mention erotic encounters with the beautiful Russian dancer, Sasha de Lisse.
Title: Cocaine Blues Genres Private Detective, Nosy Detective, Historical, Cozy Mystery Country: Australia Author: Kerry Greenwood Series: Phryne Fisher Investigates
When a newspaper delivery boy finds a 68 year-old alcoholic lying dead in his apartment--beaten with a saucepan lid and hammer, and then strangled--everyone expects an open-and-shut murder case, everyone that is but Hawaiian-shirt clad Detective Bäckström who's been assigned to lead the investigation team giving his irrepressible mix of luck and laziness a chance to save the day. Title: He Who Kills the Dragon Genres: Police Detective Country: Norway Author: Lief GW Persson Series:Backstrom
Norway
Police Detective
6
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Harriet Vanger, a scion of one of Sweden's wealthiest families disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption.
Title: Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Genres: Journalist, Private Detective Country: Sweden Author: Stieg Larsson Series: Millennium
Sweden
Journalist, Private Detective
7
The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax
Mrs. Emily Pollifax of New Brunswick, New Jersey, was a widow with grown, married children. She was tired of attending her Garden Club meetings. She wanted to do something good for her country. So, naturally, she became a CIA agent. Her first assignment in Mexico City doesn’t sound dangerous at first, but then, as often happens, something goes wrong. Now our dear Mrs. Pollifax finds herself embroiled in quite a hot Cold War—and her country’s enemies find themselves entangled with one unbelievably feisty lady.
Title: The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax Genres: Nosy Detective, Espionage, Cozy Mystery, National Police Country: International Author: Dorothy Gilman Series: Mrs. Pollifax
International
Nosy Detective, Espionage, Cozy Mystery, National Police
8
Malice: A Mystery
Police Detective Kyoichiro Kaga recognized an old colleague, Nonoguchi, during his recent case. Hidaka and Nonoguchi were best friends and writers, but Hidaka has turned up dead. Kaga's investigation uncovers evidence that shows that the two writers' relationship was very different than the two claimed. Nonoguchi confesses to the murder, but that's only the beginning of the story.
Title: Malice: A Mystery Genres: Police Detective Country: Japan Author: Keigo Higashino Series:Kyochiro Kaga
Japan
Police Detective
9
Night Beyond a Tricornered Window
Shy bookstore clerk Kosuke Mikado has the ability to see ghosts and spirits, an ability he wishes he didn’t have, since what he sees usually terrifies him. Rihito Hiyakawa, an exorcist whose supernatural powers are as strong as his social graces are weak, doesn’t seem to fear anything, mortal or otherwise. When this odd couple gets together to solve the bizarre cases that come their way, their work methods may not be entirely safe for work!
Title: Night Beyond a Tricornered Window Genres: Private Detective, Supernatural, LGBT, Manga / Graphic Novels Country: Japan Author: Tomoko Yamashita Series: Night Beyond a Tricornered Window
Japan
Private Detective, Supernatural, LGBT, Manga / Graphic Novels
10
Counterfeit Conspiracies
Quick wits and connections have gained Laurel Beacham a reputation as one of the world's premier art recovery experts. The police may catch the thief, but she reclaims the missing masterpieces. The latest assignment, however, may be her undoing. Using every ounce of luck and larceny she possesses, Laurel must locate a priceless art icon and rescue a co-worker (and ex-lover) from a master criminal, all the while matching wits with a charming new nemesis. Unfortunately, he seems to know where the bodies are buried--and she prefers hers isn't next.
Title: Counterfeit Conspiracies Genres: Private Detective, Cozy Mystery Country: International Author: Ritter Ames Series: Bodies of Art Mysteries
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