For beginners, 'Sherlock Holmes' stories are a great start. They are easy to follow and Holmes is such an iconic detective. His adventures around London are really engaging.
I think 'The Woman in Black' could be a good choice for beginners too. It has a simple yet spooky plot. Set in London, it gives a sense of the eerie side of the city. The story builds up tension quite well, and it's not overly complicated so it's easy for new mystery readers to get into.
The 'Agatha Christie' novels set in London like 'Murder on the Orient Express' (partially set in London) and 'The ABC Murders' are also good for beginners. Christie is known for her clever plots and the London settings add an extra layer of charm and mystery. The characters are well - developed, and the mysteries keep you guessing until the end.
For beginners, 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' is an excellent choice. The stories are relatively short and easy to follow. Holmes' deductive reasoning is fascinating to read about as he solves mysteries around London.
One of the best London - set mystery novels is 'Sherlock Holmes' series by Arthur Conan Doyle. It features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Dr. Watson solving complex mysteries in the streets of London.
For a more light - hearted read, 'Paddington' by Michael Bond is a good option. The story of the bear from Peru arriving in London is both charming and gives a different view of the city. It shows London through the eyes of an outsider, which is quite interesting.
For beginners, 'The Cuckoo's Calling' by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling) is a good start. It has an engaging plot set in London's seedy underbelly. The characters are well - drawn, and it's easy to follow the mystery as it unfolds.
For beginners, 'White Teeth' by Zadie Smith is a great start. It has a relatively easy - to - follow plot and the characters are very engaging. You get to see different cultures interacting in London.
For beginners, 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' is a good choice. It's part of the Sherlock Holmes series. The mystery of the Baskerville family and the terrifying hound is really engaging and not too complex for new mystery readers.
A beginner - friendly stand - alone mystery novel is 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown. It has a very popular and accessible mystery that involves a lot of historical and religious elements. The main character, Robert Langdon, goes on a journey to solve a series of codes and mysteries related to the works of Leonardo da Vinci, which is both educational and exciting.
The 'Enola Holmes' series could be a good start too. It has a young and feisty female detective as the main character. The mysteries are engaging and not overly complicated, and it has a bit of a historical charm to it as it's set in Victorian England.
Another good one is 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. It has a noir - like atmosphere and a detective trying to solve a case filled with corruption and secrets. The writing is accessible, and the mystery is intriguing enough for new readers.
Some of the best Jack London novels include 'The Call of the Wild'. It's a story about a dog named Buck and his journey through the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. It vividly shows the harshness of nature and the struggle for survival.