I have a serious weakness for a good mystery. I love when a book gives you just enough information to start forming your own theories… only to completely derail them a few chapters later. And when you’re listening to it on audiobook, there’s something about having the story unfold in your ears that makes those little clues and suspicious moments even more fun to pick apart!
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After listening to quite a few mysteries over the years, I’ve put together 10 of my favorites that I’d happily recommend to anyone looking for something that will keep their brain busy. Some are more character-driven, some are packed with twists, and a few had me convinced I had everything figured out… only to prove me very, very wrong.
So if you’re in the mood for a mystery that will give you something to puzzle over while you’re driving, cleaning, or working on your latest project, these are 10 mystery audiobooks I think are worth adding to your list WITH NO SPOILERS. And PS: Some of these titles may be exclusive to an Audible subscription, which I find definitely worth my while. If you’re interested in checking out Audible, you can use this link for a free 30-day trial.
Looking for something a little more warm and fuzzy? Check out My Top 10 Best Cozy Mystery Audiobooks. Plus, you can find all of my audiobook favorites here.
1. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
If you’re looking for a mystery that has truly stood the test of time, And Then There Were None is hard to beat. The story brings ten strangers together on an isolated island, where they soon realize that something is very wrong… and then the guests start dying one by one. It’s a classic for a reason, and if you’ve somehow never read or listened to it, this is definitely one I’d recommend adding to your mystery audiobook queue. Plus, it’s performed by Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey), who happens to be a fantastic narrator.
2. The Big Fix: A Jack Bergin Mystery by John Mankiewicz
The Big Fix: A Jack Bergin Mystery is a private eye mystery in the film noir style led by the perfect voice for such a detective, Jon Hamm (Mad Men). There’s also a full cast, including Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development) and John Slattery (Mad Men), telling the story of Hamm’s PI investigating a brutal murder against the backdrop of the real-life battle to bring the Brooklyn Dodgers to Los Angeles in the 1950s… and what that meant for the Angelenos living nearby. This is an Audible Original, which means it’s available for free with an Audible subscription.
3. The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
The Murder at the Vicarage is a must-listen if you’re a fan of classic mysteries. This is the book that introduces Miss Marple, one of Agatha Christie’s most famous detectives. With a whole village full of potential suspects and plenty of secrets hiding beneath the surface, it’s exactly the kind of mystery that makes you want to start keeping track of everyone’s motives. I especially love the atmosphere of this one… it has that quintessential English village setting that seems charming and peaceful on the surface, while everyone appears to have something to hide. And if that sounds good to you, check out My Top 10 Best Cozy Mystery Audiobooks. This full cast version is narrated by a full cast including the amazing Toni Collette (Hereditary) and Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) and is an Audible Original, so you’ll get it for free with an Audible subscription.
4. Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
If you want to really settle in for the long haul, this collection of Sherlock Holmes is a pretty hard one to beat. You get all of the classic cases featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, from strange disappearances and baffling murders to mysteries that seem impossible to solve. What I love about these stories is that you can actually try to follow Holmes’ reasoning and see if you can figure out the answer before he does. If you’re a fan of classic mysteries, this collection is basically an endless supply of them. Plus, it’s performed by the beloved narrator and actor Stephen Fry.
5. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a particularly fun choice if you love classic mysteries because it’s the first book to introduce Agatha Christie’s most famous detective, Hercule Poirot. When a wealthy woman is found dead at an English country estate, Poirot arrives to investigate, and what follows is a wonderfully twisty whodunit filled with suspicious characters, hidden motives, and plenty of clues to sort through. Plus, this full cast version is led by the talented Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) and is an Audible Original, so it’s free with an Audible subscription.
6. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
Not only is Truly Devious one of my favorite murder mystery series, it’s also an excellent YA dark academia novel. Set in an elite boarding school for brilliant teens on a beautiful and secluded Vermont estate, amateur detective Stevie Bell arrives at school planning to solve a cold case surrounding the school’s founding decades before. And as she starts to dig into the murder, chaos ensues… There are now six total books in the series, making for a great mystery binge! PS: If you like the sound of this, you may also want to check out My Top 10 Best Dark Academia Audiobooks.
7. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder follows Pip, a high school student who decides to investigate a murder that everyone in her town thinks has already been solved. But the deeper she digs, the more questions she uncovers… and pretty soon, she starts realizing that the official story might not be the whole story. I really enjoyed the investigative feel of this one, with interviews, clues, secrets, and plenty of twists along the way. Part of the book is also told as a podcast, so audio is the perfect format for listening.
8. Moriarty by Charles Kindinger
If you’re a fan of Sherlock Holmes’ most famous nemesis (and intellectual rival), Moriarty, then this is the series for you. But instead of being a criminal mastermind, Moriarty is reimagined as an innocent professor framed for murder. He goes on the run and must uncover the real conspiracy… and may just have a run-in with good ol’ Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. This is a full cast trilogy production including excellent vocal performances by Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings) as Moriarty, Helen Mirren, and Ben Kingsley. It’s also an Audible Original, so the full trilogy is free with an Audible subscription.
9. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Murder mysteries not really your speed? How about a race to solve a puzzle to win a billionaire’s inheritance? That’s the premise behind The Inheritance Games, and the entire YA trilogy is an exciting, action-packed adventure. It’s a bit like The Westing Game but with a lot more money at stake and a golden goose chase across the world. This trilogy is great for teens and adults alike. Maybe your next family road trip listen?
10. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
Alright, we have to round out this list with the queen of mysteries herself, Agatha Christie, and her novel The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Her famous detective Hercule Poirot finds himself investigating the murder of a wealthy man in a small English village, and pretty much everyone seems to have a reason to be suspicious. I won’t say much more because this is a book where going in knowing too much can really ruin the fun, but the mystery is incredibly clever and the way Christie puts the pieces together is what makes this one such a classic. Plus, this Audible Original version is narrated beautifully by English actor Richard Armitage.
I hope this list was helpful to you as you search for your next mystery listen! If you’re looking for even more suggestions, take a look at My Top 10 Best Thriller Audiobooks, or for something a bit lighter, My Top 10 Best Cozy Mystery Audiobooks. Or you can always check out all of my favorite audiobooks here.
