Classic mystery books are some of the very earliest touchstones of the genre. 

Classic mystery novels are typically defined as being published prior to 1990. Focusing mainly on detective narratives, these tales often center around murder, disappearances, theft, or other crimes and circumstances that can be investigated. A broader category containing several of its own subgenres, classic mysteries can span from clever procedurals to delightful cozies.

Of course, classic doesn’t refer merely to an older body of work. Dubbing a novel—or author—a classic typically implies the work was foundational or otherwise essential to the genre. Heavyhitters like Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are frequent pillars of the classic mystery genre, but there are plenty of other novels and short stories with less immediate name recognition that were seminal works.

Here are some great places to start for new and mystery lovers alike.

And don’t forget to peruse the stories below for all the best in classic mystery fiction.

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Explore the World of Reluctant Smuggler Francis Andrews in The Man Within

The novel is Graham Greene's first on a journey to literary acclaim and widespread popularity.

Discover the World of Amateur Sleuth Henry Gamadge in Unexpected Night

The first in a series from Agatha Christie’s favorite American author.

The Best Mystery Books to Read for Mystery Month—and Beyond!

 A curated guide to the best books in the most beloved mystery subgenres.

Agatha Christie's Favorite American Author, Elizabeth Daly

Decode Daly's literary mysteries with amateur sleuth Henry Gamadge.

The Surprising Gothic Father of Modern Detective Fiction

Without the guiding hand of this Bostonian gothic, the modern detective genre would be very different.

8 Must-Read Classic Crime Books

Check out the best of classic crime fiction!

10 Classic Mystery Novels Everyone Should Read

These tried and true mystery books are sure to become new favorites.

Shifty Eyes: 9 Mysteries Told From Multiple Points-of-View

Having more than one narrator makes these mysteries even tougher to solve.

Mystery Books That Pay Homage to Edgar Allan Poe

The 19th-century author of the macabre exerts enormous influence over the detective fiction we know today.

The Dutchman and the Chinese Detectives

An eccentric diplomat from the Netherlands exposed the West to Chinese detective fiction—some of the oldest in the world.

The Crime Writer Who Went Down With The Titanic

Jacques Futrelle was lost to tragedy, but his captivating works live on.

Jack the Ripper and the First Lady of British Crime

How a haunting crime inspired an author of classic detective fiction.

The Blind Detective, Max Carrados

A champion of the downtrodden with remarkable sense-driven deductions.