Some good Christmas fiction mystery books include 'The Christmas Train' by David Baldacci. It weaves a mystery around a train journey during Christmas. 'A Fatal Grace' by Louise Penny is also great. It has a small - town Quebec setting during Christmas time and a complex mystery to solve. Then there's 'The Darkest Evening' by Ann Cleeves. It's a Vera Stanhope mystery set during the Christmas holidays.
I highly recommend 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens. Although it's not a typical mystery in the sense of a crime, the mystery of Scrooge's change is fascinating. Another good one is 'The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle' which is a short and sweet Sherlock Holmes mystery set at Christmas. And don't forget 'Hercule Poirot's Christmas' where Poirot has to figure out who the killer is during the holiday.
One great mystery book from 2017 fiction is 'The Dry' by Jane Harper. It has a captivating plot set in a drought - stricken Australian town. The mystery unfolds as a detective returns to his hometown to investigate a murder - suicide case, only to find there are deeper secrets lurking. Another good one is 'Tangerine' by Christine Mangan. It's set in Tangier and is filled with a sense of mystery and unease as the relationship between two women becomes more and more complex. And 'The Woman in the Window' by A. J. Finn is also notable. The main character, an agoraphobic woman, believes she witnesses a crime from her window, leading to a series of suspenseful events.
I would also recommend 'The Priest's Graveyard' by Ted Dekker. It's a dark and mysterious story that still manages to incorporate Christian values. The plot twists and turns keep the reader engaged, and there are elements of redemption and faith throughout the story that make it a great Christian fiction mystery.
One great one is 'The Mark of the Lion' series by Francine Rivers. It combines elements of mystery with strong Christian themes.
Another good one is 'This Present Darkness' by Frank E. Peretti. It delves into the spiritual battle that rages unseen around us. The story weaves together the lives of ordinary people with the supernatural forces at work, which makes it a really engaging mystery in the Christian fiction genre.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness is another top pick. It combines elements of history, magic, and mystery. The story follows a witch who discovers a long - lost manuscript, which sets off a chain of events full of mystery and danger, as she also gets involved with a vampire.
I think 'An American Marriage' by Tayari Jones has elements that can be considered in the mystery fiction of 2018. It's a story about a marriage torn apart by a false accusation of rape. The mystery lies in the truth behind the accusation and how the characters deal with it. It's a complex exploration of relationships and the justice system.
Another great one is 'The Nickel Boys' by Colson Whitehead. Although it's not a traditional mystery in the sense of a whodunit, it has elements of mystery as it delves into the dark secrets of a reform school. It's a powerful exploration of race and injustice in America.
A must - read from the 2019 mystery fiction is 'The Institute' by Stephen King. It has King's signature blend of mystery, horror, and the exploration of the human psyche. The story follows a young boy who is kidnapped and taken to a mysterious institute where strange experiments are taking place.
In 2017, 'The Twelve Slays of Christmas' by Jacqueline Frost was quite popular. It's a cozy mystery set during the Christmas period, perfect for those who like a bit of intrigue with their holiday cheer. Also, 'A Christmas Escape' by Sarah Morgan is a lovely fiction read that takes you on a journey of self - discovery during the Christmas season.