Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is a very popular modern murder novel. It tells a story full of twists and turns about a man whose wife disappears and he becomes the prime suspect. The novel is known for its complex characters and the psychological exploration of marriage and deception.
The 'Sherlock Holmes' series by Arthur Conan Doyle can also be considered. Although not all are strictly about murder, many stories involve Holmes solving complex murder cases with his brilliant deductive reasoning. For example, 'A Study in Scarlet' is an early work that showcases his unique skills in unravelling a murder mystery.
Another great murder mystery novel is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the hacker Lisbeth Salander as they investigate a decades - old disappearance that is linked to a string of murders.
Some great 1940s murder mystery novels include 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. It's a hard - boiled detective story with Philip Marlowe as the main character. He has to deal with a web of lies and murder in Los Angeles. Also, 'Strangers on a Train' by Patricia Highsmith is quite famous. The concept of two strangers swapping murders is really intriguing. It's a great exploration of the darker side of human nature.
They are often based on real - life murder cases. For example, they might include details from police investigations, witness testimonies, and court proceedings. This gives them a sense of authenticity.
Agatha Christie is a very well - known author. Her works like 'Murder on the Orient Express' are classic murder mystery novels. Another is Arthur Conan Doyle, famous for the Sherlock Holmes stories.
The Lizzie Borden case is also well - known. In 1892 in Fall River, Massachusetts, Lizzie Borden was accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe. There was a lot of speculation and public interest. The trial was highly publicized, and Lizzie was ultimately acquitted, but the case still fascinates people today. It has been the subject of many books, movies, and plays.
There's the JonBenét Ramsey case. In 1996, this six - year - old beauty pageant queen was found murdered in her family's home in Boulder, Colorado. The case was full of strange details, like a ransom note that seemed out of place. It has fascinated the public for years and has been the subject of numerous theories and investigations.
One interesting quote is from Agatha Christie's 'Murder on the Orient Express': 'The impossible could not have happened, therefore the impossible must be possible in spite of appearances.' It shows how in murder mysteries, things are often not as they seem at first glance.
Most famous murder mystery novels usually have a complex plot. For example, in 'Murder on the Orient Express' by Agatha Christie, there are multiple suspects and many hidden relationships among them, which keeps readers guessing.
Cormac McCarthy's works sometimes touch on the elements of murder mystery within a western context. His writing often features a harsh and desolate western landscape where violent and mysterious events occur. Then there's James Lee Burke, whose novels are set in the American south and west, and they are filled with complex characters and murder mysteries that are deeply intertwined with the local culture and history.
Raymond Chandler is a very well - known author of Marlowe murder mystery novels. His works are classic in the genre.