Often, there's the theme of identity. The books might be linked to a person's identity or the identity of an unknown author. In 'The Thirteenth Tale', the mystery of the author's true identity is a central part of the story. Also, the theme of the past haunting the present is common. Old books can bring to light long - forgotten events or wrongdoings that need to be resolved in the present day, like in 'The Shadow of the Wind' where the past events related to the book keep surfacing.
Mystery books are generally fiction. They often involve made - up stories centered around a mystery, like a crime to be solved or a secret to be uncovered. These stories usually feature fictional characters, settings, and plots created by the author's imagination.
The characters in these books are also quite interesting. You often have the protagonist who is on a quest to uncover the Templar mystery. This could be an archaeologist, a historian, or just a curious adventurer. Then there are the antagonists who are trying to keep the secrets buried. In terms of plot, there are often twists and turns. Just when you think you've figured out the mystery, new evidence or a new character's actions change everything. For instance, in 'The Templar Legacy', the plot keeps evolving as the main character discovers more about the Templars' past.
One great mystery fiction about books is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It's set in a medieval monastery where a series of murders occur, and the key to solving them seems to be related to the books in the monastery's library. Another is 'The Bookman's Tale' which has a mystery revolving around an old book and a search for truth in the past. '84, Charing Cross Road' also has an element of mystery as it's about the relationship through letters centered around rare books.
One of the top mystery fiction books in 2017 was 'Magpie Murders' by Anthony Horowitz. This book has a unique structure as it contains a mystery within a mystery. There's a manuscript of a detective novel where the detective in the story is trying to solve a murder, and at the same time, the editor of the manuscript finds herself in the middle of a real - life mystery related to the author of the manuscript.
The 'Sherlock Holmes' series by Arthur Conan Doyle is also among the top. Holmes, with his brilliant deductive reasoning, solves numerous complex mysteries. Each story, like 'A Study in Scarlet', is filled with suspense as he uncovers clues and outwits the criminals.
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.