Can you recommend best 1st novels in the mystery genre?

Sure. 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson is a great one. It has a strong female lead, Lisbeth Salander, who is a hacker and helps solve a decades - old mystery. The story is full of dark secrets and complex relationships.

The 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' series has great sequels. 'The Girl Who Played with Fire' continues the story of Lisbeth Salander. It delves deeper into her past and the complex web of mystery and crime she is involved in.

One of the best is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. It has a complex plot full of twists and turns. The characters are well - developed, and the mystery of what happened to Amy Dunne keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

There's also 'Mystery at Midnight'. In this 2024 novel, a small town is haunted by a mystery that always unfolds at midnight. The story is full of twists and turns as the characters try to figure out what's really going on. It keeps you on the edge of your seat with its suspenseful plot.

One great popular 21st - century mystery novel is 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides. The story is about a woman who stops speaking after murdering her husband. The mystery around her motives and what really happened is really fascinating. It has elements of psychological thriller which makes it even more engaging.

Sure. 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides is a great latest mystery novel. It's about a woman who shoots her husband and then stops talking. The whole story is full of twists and turns as a psychologist tries to figure out what really happened. Another one is 'The Guest List' by Lucy Foley. It's set on an isolated island during a wedding and a murder occurs. The characters all have their secrets and motives.

One great genre - bending mystery novel is 'The Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern. It combines elements of mystery with a magical, circus - like setting. The story unfolds in a way that keeps you guessing about the true nature of the circus and the relationship between the two main characters. Another is 'The Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle' which has a unique time - loop mystery aspect combined with a traditional mystery plot. And 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski is a mind - bending mystery that plays with the format of the book itself as part of the mystery.

Well, 'The Big Sleep' is a classic mystery novel. The noir - like atmosphere and the complex plot make it a great read. 'Gone Girl' is a more recent but very popular mystery. The story is full of unexpected twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. 'The Maltese Falcon' is also a gem. The hunt for the falcon and the various characters involved create a great mystery.

Sure. 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Arthur Conan Doyle is one of them. It features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Watson solving various complex cases. Another is 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie, which has a very unique and suspenseful plot. 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson is also great, with a strong female lead and a dark mystery to unfold.

One great St Louis police mystery novel is 'The Third Degree' by an unknown author. It really delves into the gritty side of policing in St Louis.