What are the characteristics of the books in the list of greatest mystery novels?

Well, 'The Maltese Falcon' is a must - mention from the list of greatest mystery novels. It's a hard - boiled detective story with a complex web of characters and motives. Also, 'The Big Sleep' is a great read, with its noir - style mystery and engaging characters that keep you guessing throughout the story.

Some well - known ones are 'The Shining' by Stephen King. It's a classic horror novel that takes place in an isolated hotel filled with malevolent spirits. Another is 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker, which introduced the iconic vampire character.

Well, 'Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth' is also in the list. It has a really unique and somewhat disturbing take on the Batman universe. And don't forget about 'The Killing Joke' which delves deep into the relationship between Batman and the Joker, exploring the thin line between sanity and madness.

The 'Foundation' series is characterized by its grand scale. It spans across a vast galactic empire and the concept of psychohistory which can predict the future of large - scale populations. 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' is unique for its comical and off - the - wall humor. It has all kinds of strange aliens and absurd adventures. 'Ender's Game' is characterized by its exploration of the morality of war and the development of a child's mind in a high - pressure situation.

Some of the great mystery novels include 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It introduced the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes. Another is 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie, which has a very unique and suspenseful plot.

The characters in these novels are well - developed. Ellery Queen himself is a very intelligent and observant detective. His personality and thought process are carefully crafted, which helps to drive the story forward. For example, in 'The Dutch Shoe Mystery', his interactions with the other characters are crucial in solving the mystery.

Another characteristic is the use of suspense in the context of relationships. The mystery often affects the relationship directly. Take a story where one character has a secret past that the other doesn't know. This creates both mystery and tension in their relationship. It's not just about solving a crime or a mystery outside of the relationship, but how the mystery impacts the romantic connection. So, the relationship and the mystery are intertwined, making it a unique reading experience.

Another great one is 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler. His hard - boiled detective, Philip Marlowe, navigates through the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles while solving the mystery. The novel is filled with complex characters and a convoluted plot that makes it a great mystery read.

Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle are also among the greatest. 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' is a classic. It combines mystery, suspense, and the brilliant deductive reasoning of Holmes to solve the mystery of a terrifying hound on the moors.

Some of the well - known ones could be 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It's a classic with brilliant deductive reasoning. Another might be 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie, which has a really gripping and mysterious plot. Also, 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett is often regarded highly for its hard - boiled detective story.