What are some underrated mystery novels?

One underrated fantasy novel is 'The Golem and the Jinni' by Helene Wecker. It combines elements of Middle Eastern and Jewish mythology in a unique way. The story follows the lives of a golem and a jinni in 19th - century New York City. Another is 'Uprooted' by Naomi Novik. It has a beautiful, fairytale - like quality with a strong female lead and an interesting magic system. And 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss is also underrated. It tells the story of Kvothe, a gifted young man with a mysterious past and great magical abilities.

One underrated horror novel is 'The Fisherman' by John Langan. It weaves a complex and terrifying tale around a fishing trip gone horribly wrong. Another is 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski. Its unique formatting and mind - bending story about a haunted house make it a great but often overlooked horror read. Also, 'The Lesser Dead' by Christopher Buehlman, which offers a fresh take on vampires in a gritty urban setting.

One underrated classic novel is 'The House of Mirth' by Edith Wharton. It offers a sharp critique of New York society in the early 20th century. Another is 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' by Oscar Wilde, which explores themes of beauty, morality, and the corrupting influence of hedonism. Also, 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte is sometimes underrated. It has a complex and passionate love story set against the wild Yorkshire moors.

Well, 'Ella Minnow Pea' by Mark Dunn has an interesting love story within its unique concept. It's set in a fictional island where letters are banned one by one, and the relationship between the characters develops in this strange setting. 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' is also underrated in the romance genre. It's a story told through letters that reveals a love story among the characters as they share their lives during and after the war. And 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern has a subtle and beautiful romance woven into its magical circus setting.

A few underrated graphic novels are 'American Born Chinese' by Gene Luen Yang. It combines Chinese mythology with the experience of growing up Asian - American in a really engaging way. 'Through the Woods' by Emily Carroll is an underrated gem. It's a collection of spooky and beautifully illustrated short stories. 'The Arrival' by Shaun Tan is also great. It's a wordless graphic novel that tells the story of an immigrant's journey in a very poignant and creative way.

One underrated dystopian novel is 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood. It presents a terrifying vision of a future where women are subjugated and used for reproductive purposes. Another is 'Station Eleven' by Emily St. John Mandel, which shows a post - apocalyptic world where a traveling troupe of actors tries to keep art and humanity alive. And 'Parable of the Sower' by Octavia Butler is also underrated. It depicts a future California filled with chaos, environmental disasters, and social inequality.

One underrated visual novel is 'The House in Fata Morgana'. It has a beautifully complex story that unfolds across different time periods, exploring themes of love, loss, and redemption. The art style is also quite unique and adds to the overall atmosphere of the game. Another is 'Raging Loop'. It combines elements of mystery, horror, and Japanese folklore in a really engaging way. The characters are well - developed and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I would recommend 'The Black Tower' by P. D. James. It has a complex mystery with a lot of psychological depth. 'The Circular Staircase' by Mary Roberts Rinehart is also a good pick. It was one of the early mystery novels and has some really unique elements. And 'The Crying of Lot 49' by Thomas Pynchon. It's a very different kind of mystery novel, more postmodern, but really interesting with a lot of mystery and symbolism.

Some underrated 20th century novels include 'The House of Mirth' by Edith Wharton. It shows the complex social hierarchies and the restricted lives of women in the upper - class society of the early 20th century. 'Steppenwolf' by Hermann Hesse is also underrated. It's a profound exploration of the human psyche, with its main character's struggle between his animalistic and spiritual selves. And 'The Bluest Eye' by Toni Morrison, which tackles issues of race, beauty standards, and self - esteem in a poignant way, yet didn't receive as much initial acclaim as some of her later works.

One good underrated Victorian novel is 'The Moonstone' by Wilkie Collins. It is often considered a precursor to the modern detective story. It has a complex plot full of mystery, with multiple narrators that add to the intrigue. Another is 'North and South' by Elizabeth Gaskell. It explores the social divide between the industrial North and the more genteel South in England, as well as themes of class, love, and social change. And 'The House of Mirth' by Edith Wharton (although she was American, her works were influenced by Victorian values). It's a tragic story of a woman caught in the strict social hierarchies of the time, and her attempts to navigate through them.