Can you recommend excellent mystery novels for beginners?

Sure. 'The Death of Mrs. Westaway' by Ruth Ware is a good choice for beginners. It has a classic mystery feel with a young woman who gets drawn into a family mystery she didn't expect. The plot is engaging and not overly complicated.

Sure. 'The Maid' by Nita Prose is a great start. It has a simple yet engaging mystery and the main character is very likeable. It's easy to follow and has a touch of humor.

Sure. 'Smile' by Raina Telgemeier is a great start. It's a simple yet engaging story about a girl dealing with dental problems and growing up. It has relatable characters and a positive message. Another good one is 'Zita the Spacegirl' by Ben Hatke. It has an exciting adventure in space that kids and beginners will love.

Sure. 'The Cold Dish' is a good start. It's not too complex and gives a great introduction to Wyoming - based mysteries.

Sure. 'Croak' by Gina Damico is a good start. It has a unique concept of Grim Reapers as sort of detectives. The main character's snarky attitude and the absurd situations she gets into make it a fun and easy - to - follow comedic mystery.

I would recommend 'The Darkest Evening' by Ann Cleeves. While not strictly Minnesota - only, it has a similar small - town mystery feel that many Minnesota mystery novels have. It's a great read for beginners as it has a clear mystery to solve and interesting characters that draw you into the story.

Sure. 'The Martian Chronicles' by Ray Bradbury is a good start. It has short stories that touch on various aspects of human - alien interactions on Mars, with a touch of mystery in each story. Another one is 'A Wrinkle in Time' which has elements of traveling through space and encountering strange, otherworldly beings that are somewhat of a mystery.

For beginners, 'The Spellman Files' by Lisa Lutz is a good choice. It's about a family of private investigators. The family dynamic is hilarious, with bickering siblings and overbearing parents. The mystery part is also well - crafted, and the humor runs throughout the story, making it a great introduction to the genre.

The 'Nancy Drew' series is also suitable for beginners. These books are about a young female detective who solves various mysteries. They are not too complex and are great for getting into the mystery genre. For example, 'The Secret of the Old Clock' is a classic in the series.

For beginners, 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night - Time' by Mark Haddon can be a good start. Although it's a bit different from traditional mystery novels as it is told from the perspective of a boy with autism, it still has a strong mystery element about the death of a dog and the secrets that unfold as the boy tries to solve it.