8 Must-Read Crime Books for Sherlock Holmes Fans

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Sherlock Holmes is arguably the most famous fictional detective ever created. He first appeared in Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1887 novel, A Study in Scarlet, and has remained popular ever since. Numerous adaptations and new stories featuring the character have been made, with many actors portraying different versions of Holmes. Interestingly, despite being so widely adapted for television and film, Sherlock Holmes only appears as the central figure in four novels originally written by Arthur Conan Doyle.

Crime fiction offers a wide range of subgenres, from classic whodunits and detective stories to more relaxed cozy mysteries and intense crime thrillers. With so many gripping and captivating options, finding the perfect detective novel can be tough, but some truly shine. What sets these books apart for fans of Sherlock Holmes is a blend of clever, twisty plots, brilliant detectives who rival (or even surpass!) the famous sleuth, and characters that feel real and stay with you long after you finish reading.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman Is a Cozy Mystery With a Lovable Group of Amateur Sleuths

Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club is the first book in a series of the same name. It follows a group of retirees at Cooper’s Chase who normally meet to investigate unsolved crimes for fun. However, when a murder occurs right in their village, they turn their attention to solving a current case.

The Thursday Murder Club is a delightful and cozy murder mystery featuring a group of charming and unforgettable characters. Joyce, Elizabeth, Ibrahim, and Ron each bring their own unique skills and personalities to the team, making them an unlikely but effective group of crime solvers. It’s a great choice for readers who enjoy Sherlock Holmes but are looking for a mystery with a clever and surprising edge.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn Is a Gritty and Disturbing Crime Story

Although Gillian Flynn is widely known for Gone Girl, Sharp Objects is a particularly good pick for readers who enjoy Sherlock Holmes-style mysteries. The novel centers on Camille Preaker, a journalist who returns to her hometown to report on disturbing murders, but the case quickly becomes complicated when it hits close to home.

Wow, “Sharp Objects” really pulled me in! It’s so atmospheric and unsettling, and the characters are seriously flawed – you won’t find any clear-cut heroes here. It deals with a really disturbing crime, which is way darker than anything you’d find in a Sherlock Holmes story. But if you love a good mystery and investigation like I do, you absolutely have to read it! The twists are so clever, and the crime itself is completely gripping. I was hooked from page one, and even the TV show based on the book does a fantastic job of keeping that same feeling going.

Red Dragon by Thomas Harris Is a Crime Novel With Horror Elements

Red Dragon is the first book in the Hannibal Lecter series, blending crime, psychological horror, and mystery. Though Hannibal Lecter is now famous, Red Dragon stands on its own as a compelling crime novel. It centers on Will Graham, a former FBI profiler brought back to help catch a terrifying and difficult-to-find serial killer nicknamed “The Tooth Fairy.”

Fans of Sherlock Holmes will appreciate Red Dragon because of its detective, Will Graham, who solves murders with a careful, detail-oriented approach much like Holmes. While Red Dragon is significantly darker and more graphic than any Sherlock story, the intriguing mystery and in-depth look at the minds of serial killers should still appeal to readers, even those easily disturbed.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides Makes Readers Question Everything

The Silent Patient is a captivating psychological thriller that keeps you guessing about the events surrounding a shocking crime. The story centers on Theo Faber, a psychotherapist determined to unravel the mystery of Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who shot her husband and then never spoke another word. The novel focuses on his attempts to understand what led to the murder and the reasons behind Alicia’s silence.

In The Silent Patient, Theo begins working with Alicia, a woman who has stopped speaking after being accused of murdering her husband. He’s determined to uncover the truth behind the crime and understand her silence. But as he investigates, it becomes clear that things are more complicated than they seem, and the novel keeps you guessing until a shocking twist completely changes the story.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley Is a Whodunit Where the Victim Is Also Part of the Mystery

Mystery novels, especially “whodunits,” usually center around a murder and a group of potential suspects, with clues revealed bit by bit until the killer is unmasked. However, The Guest List adds an extra layer of suspense: readers must not only figure out who committed the murder, but also who the victim actually is.

As a total mystery fan, I was hooked by The Guest List right away. It’s about a wedding on a secluded island, and things quickly go south when someone turns up dead. What’s really clever is how the story unfolds – you get to see everything through the eyes of different guests, like the bride, the planner, and the best man. It’s not just about who did it, but who even gets killed! The author keeps you guessing about both until the very end, which I really appreciated. It’s a real page-turner!

A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson Is a Perfect YA Murder Mystery for All Ages

Many adults dismiss Young Adult books as being too basic or uninteresting, but that’s definitely not always the case. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a great example – it’s a captivating story that readers of any age can enjoy, and it’s even the first book in a series. The story centers around Pip, a high school student who takes on a local mystery as a school project.

Years ago, a teenage girl named Andie vanished, and her boyfriend, Sal, appeared to admit to the crime before tragically ending his own life. But Pip thinks Sal was wrongly accused and starts digging into what happened before Andie disappeared. Her investigation leads her to Andie’s friends and classmates, and she quickly realizes she’s stumbled into something far more dangerous than she expected.

The Poet by Michael Connelly Follows a Reporter Uncovering the Work of a Serial Killer Who Targets Detectives

Michael Connelly is a well-known author, famous for his Lincoln Lawyer series. However, many consider his 1996 novel, The Poet, to be a standout crime story, especially appealing to fans of Sherlock Holmes. The book centers on Jack McEvoy, a reporter investigating a serial killer who is targeting police detectives – a case that becomes personal when his own twin brother, a homicide detective, is killed.

These crimes are carefully disguised as suicides, making it difficult for the police to believe Jack’s suspicions and ideas. Eventually, though, the FBI begins to take notice and enlists his help. Together, they travel the country, trying to link the crimes to one serial killer. The Poet is a traditional mystery with an unexpected turn, ideal for genre enthusiasts.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie Has One of the Best Twists in Crime Fiction

If you’re a Sherlock Holmes fan looking for a good crime novel, Agatha Christie is always a solid bet. But for me, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is her masterpiece – it’s the one that really stands out and gets the most praise. The story follows Hercule Poirot as he settles into a quiet country village and teams up with Dr. Sheppard to solve the murder of Roger Ackroyd. It’s a classic whodunnit!

I truly believe The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is the ultimate crime novel, and it’s all because of that incredible, unforgettable twist! It really changed the game for the genre and continues to be considered one of the very best. If you’re a Sherlock Holmes fan who hasn’t yet discovered Agatha Christie and Hercule Poirot, this 1926 mystery is the perfect place to start – it’s a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading, and you’ll immediately want to dive into another one!

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2025-11-20 04:40