Your Basket is Empty
Secrets, suspects, suspicion… just a few themes and ideas that make crime and mystery novels so intriguing! If you’re looking for some reading suggestions or gift ideas this Christmas, have a read through our list of classic crime and mystery novels.
This superb cloak and dagger novel begins with a murder. It is a rainy night in London and the only clues left behind are a glove and a lizard skin lettercase. Allingham reveals a darker side to her writing and beautifully conjures up the atmosphere of 1950s London. Though the reader knows whodunnit from near the beginning, the story of how he is caught is utterly intriguing. Allingham’s is a brilliant crime novelist. Her writing is suspenseful and satisfying and Hide My Eyes is the perfect book to settle down with in wintertime.
In February 1953, Fleming published his first James Bond novel, Casino Royale. He went on to write many more books about this sly and highly intelligent character, also known as 007. James Bond has become one of the most recognisable and enduring characters on page and screen. This collection contains every James Bond title, numbering fourteen in total. Fleming’s writing is careful and objective, never taking itself too seriously yet also gripping. This collection would make a stunning gift for a special someone this Christmas!
A merry mystery which follows the strange adventures of an eccentric old man called Mr David Penrose. Penrose owns a vast collection of antique items, including some valuable gems, but for some strange reason refuses to insure them. Following a burglary, it is up to the medico-legal forensic investigator Dr Thorndyke to solve this strange and complex mystery… Freeman’s early experiences as a colonial surgeon informs some elements of his work, which is both scientifically complex and intriguing.
William Haggard was an author of fictional spy thrillers, writing both series and stand alone novels like Closed Circuit. This often forgotten novel tells the story of Francis Mason, heir to an estate in the Latin-American republic of Candoro. It is a book not so much about espionage as about money. With his inheritance under threat from the country’s dictator, Mason goes to England to seek help from Foreign Office diplomat Kenneth Gibb. Diplomacy has no role however when power, politics, blackmail and murder are at work! This exciting, well-written book is a great mystery to gift to someone this Christmas.
A cosy mystery ideal for festive reading! Heyer’s timeless novel follows the mysterious deaths of two family members: the wealthy Silas Kane followed by his nephew and heir. Kane’s death is treated as an accident, but the death of his heir accrues suspicion and Scotland Yard is called. Heyer’s plot is masterly, filled with mystery and suspense and an excellent choice for readers who also love Agatha Christie.
Ashenden consists of several interconnected short stories of European espionage. Inspired by Maugham’s own experiences working as an intelligence agent for the Allies during WW1, the central character Ashenden is a recruited by Intelligence services and sent to Switzerland. Many of his missions are farcical but the ruthless brutality of espionage causes him to become disillusioned. Maugham combines autobiography and satire in his tale, writing with absolute precision to create a crisp, memorable prose.
According to his own notes, McBain wrote Lady Killer in just nine days in the summer of 1957. It is the eighth story in McBain’s 87th Precinct series and with excellent pace, dialogue and plot, is a gripping read. It all begins with a message delivered to Desk Sergeant Dave Murchison: “I will kill the Lady tonight at 8. What can you do about it?” There is something particularly ominous about this note and the race against time begins! Entertaining and detailed, it is a brilliant book perfect for Christmas gifting.
Blackmail, drugs, decadence. This tale is filled with twists and turns to entice the curious reader. Payne writes with wit and intelligence, delivering a thrilling yet nostalgic read. Set in London during the 1960s, it follows Chief Inspector Sam Birkett as he investigates the murder of a seemingly innocent young woman. With a heart-topping climax set in a graveyard, this book is a page turner perfect for readers who thrive on thrills!
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle cemented the popularity of crime fiction in British literature with the publication of Sherlock Holmes in 1887. Since then, readers have avidly consumed crime fiction, fascinated by the thrill of having a puzzle to solve. Featuring eight mysterious tales, this list is the perfect place to find a cosy crime or merry mystery to gift to someone special this Christmas.
ADD YOUR CHOOSEN BOOKMARK TO YOUR BASKET. DISCOUNT APPLIED WHEN YOU CHECKOUT
