Can you recommend the top 5 mystery novels?

Sure. 'The Murder Stone' by Louise Penny is a great one. It's part of her series that follows Inspector Gamache. The story is set in a beautiful yet somewhat eerie location, and the mystery is full of twists and turns.

The 'Nancy Drew' series is also suitable for beginners. These books are about a young female detective who solves various mysteries. They are not too complex and are great for getting into the mystery genre. For example, 'The Secret of the Old Clock' is a classic in the series.

Sure. 'The Robe' by Lloyd C. Douglas is a well - known Christian mystery novel. It tells the story of a Roman soldier who won Jesus' robe during the Crucifixion and the strange events that follow as the robe seems to have some sort of power or significance.

Raymond Chandler's 'The Big Sleep' is a great mystery novel. It features the hard - boiled detective Philip Marlowe. The story is set in a seedy and corrupt Los Angeles. Marlowe has to deal with a complex web of blackmail, murder, and mystery as he tries to solve the case. It has a really noir - ish atmosphere that adds to the overall charm of the story.

Sure. 'The Chalk Man' is a great one. It has a complex plot that involves a series of mysterious chalk drawings that seem to be related to a string of murders. The story bounces between the past and present, adding to the mystery.

Sure. 'The Shining' by Stephen King is a classic. It's set in an isolated hotel and the sense of dread builds up gradually. The mystery around the hotel's secrets and the protagonist's descent into madness is really thrilling. Another one is 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier. It has an air of mystery from the very beginning as the unnamed narrator tries to uncover the secrets of her husband's first wife.

Sure. 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn is a top pick. It's a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing throughout. The story of a man whose wife disappears and the secrets that unfold is both disturbing and captivating.

Sure. 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins is a great choice. It has a unreliable narrator which adds to the mystery. The story revolves around a woman who witnesses something strange from the train and gets involved in a murder investigation. 'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Flynn is also recommended. It has a dark and twisted mystery with a female protagonist who is a journalist investigating murders in her hometown. Another one is 'Before I Go to Sleep' by S.J. Watson. The main character has a memory problem and is trying to figure out the truth about her past which is linked to a crime.

Sure. 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown is a well - known mystery suspense novel. It combines historical facts with a fast - paced mystery plot that involves a murder in the Louvre and a search for a powerful secret. It takes readers on a journey through different locations in Europe.

Sure. 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris is a top - notch American mystery novel. It introduced the terrifying character Hannibal Lecter. The story of FBI trainee Clarice Starling trying to catch a serial killer with Lecter's help is gripping.