Top British Mystery Novels: Which Ones Should I Read First?

Another great one is 'The Ipcress File' by Len Deighton. It's full of action and intrigue. The main character, Harry Palmer, is a very engaging anti - hero, and the story takes you through the seedy underbelly of Cold War - era spy operations in a really engaging way.

You could start with 'Malice' also by Keigo Higashino. It's a complex tale of envy and murder, full of twists and turns. Higashino is really good at creating mind - boggling mysteries. And then there's 'Ring' by Koji Suzuki. This one is famous for its creepy atmosphere and the mystery surrounding a cursed videotape that kills people who watch it within a week.

One of the top rated murder mystery novels is 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie. It's a classic with a great plot twist. The story is set on an isolated island where people start getting killed one by one in a way that matches a nursery rhyme. It keeps you guessing until the very end.

Well, if you're into really intense and gritty zombie novels, 'The Walking Dead' series of novels (which the TV show is based on) is a great start. It shows the struggle for survival in a post - zombie - rise world. 'I Am Legend' by Richard Matheson can also be considered a precursor to the modern zombie novel. It has a lone survivor in a world filled with what are basically zombie - like creatures. And then there's 'Feed' by Mira Grant, which is set in a world where zombies are a part of everyday life and the story focuses on bloggers covering the news about them.

Some of the top Dostoyevsky novels are 'Crime and Punishment', 'The Brothers Karamazov', and 'Notes from Underground'. 'Crime and Punishment' is a great starting point. It delves deep into the psychological turmoil of its main character, Raskolnikov, who commits a murder and then grapples with his conscience. The exploration of guilt, morality, and redemption makes it a classic and a captivating read for those new to Dostoyevsky.

You could start with 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins. It's a gripping tale of a woman who becomes entangled in a mystery while commuting. The unreliable narrator adds an extra layer of intrigue.

Another great one is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It combines mystery, crime, and a strong female lead. The story is set in Sweden and involves a journalist and a hacker investigating a decades - old disappearance. It has a gritty atmosphere and a really engaging mystery to solve.

One great French mystery novel is 'The Chalet' by Catherine Cooper. It has a very engaging plot filled with suspense. The setting in the French Alps adds to the mystery and isolation. Another is 'The Murder on the Links' by Agatha Christie (although she was English, it's set in France). It has a classic whodunit feel with a complex web of characters.

One great London mystery novel is 'The Moonstone' by Wilkie Collins. It's often considered one of the first detective novels. Another is 'Sherlock Holmes' series by Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes' adventures in London are iconic and full of mystery. Also, 'The Woman in Black' by Susan Hill is a spooky mystery set in a desolate London landscape.

The 'Outlander' series by Diana Gabaldon can also be considered. It has elements of romance and mystery set in a historical backdrop. The love story between Claire and Jamie is beautifully told while they face various mysteries and challenges in different time periods.