If you’re anything like me, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as getting lost in a good mystery. The suspense, the endless theories, the late-night reading sessions because you just have to know who did it… it’s the ultimate reading experience. This week, I’ve picked out five absolute must-reads from the genre—some classics, some modern—all guaranteed to have you perched on the edge of your seat.

1. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Sherlock Holmes is a national treasure, and this particular case shows why he’s still an icon. Set amidst the eerie moors of Devon, the story revolves around a menacing hound said to haunt the Baskerville family. Holmes’s unshakeable logic meets age-old superstition, creating an atmosphere as thick as the fog rolling over the moor. Even if you’ve encountered this one before, it’s worth revisiting for the timeless detective work and chilling setting.

2. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

You simply can’t have a mystery list without the Queen of Crime. Christie’s legendary detective, Hercule Poirot, tackles what many consider her greatest puzzle: the murder of the wealthy Roger Ackroyd. The solution is so clever and unexpected that it caused quite the stir when it was first published. The less you know going in, the better—prepare to have your assumptions completely upended.

3. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Though Rebecca edges into gothic territory, its heart is a brooding, psychological mystery. The unnamed narrator finds herself in the shadow of her husband’s first wife, the infamous Rebecca, whose presence lingers through the corridors of Manderley like a ghost. Atmospheric and deliciously tense, Rebecca explores how secrets from the past can warp the present. It’s the sort of novel you’ll want to discuss with everyone once you’ve turned the final page.

4. In the Woods by Tana French

Set in Ireland, this modern masterpiece follows detectives Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox as they investigate the murder of a young girl in the woods. The twist? Twenty years earlier, Rob himself was found traumatised in the very same spot, with no memory of what happened to his missing friends. Tana French blends a haunting crime with deeply human characters, creating a narrative that lingers in your mind long after you’ve closed the book.

5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

For a darker, more contemporary edge, look no further than this Swedish sensation. Larsson delivers a complex mystery centred on a decades-old disappearance, corporate scandals, and a rather unconventional pairing: journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the brilliant but troubled hacker, Lisbeth Salander. It’s gritty, gripping, and not for the faint-hearted, but the plot is so compelling you’ll be racing through to the final page.

There you have it, a carefully curated selection of mysteries to keep you company on those long, blustery evenings. Whether you prefer the classic whodunnit style, a gothic edge, or a modern psychological spin, these five novels have got you covered. Just be warned: once you start reading, you may find your entire week swallowed up by a relentless need to discover the truth. 

Enjoy….if you dare!