15 of The Best British Mysteries to Keep You on Your Toes

Party Girls Die in Pearls

Author: Plum Sykes

Year: 2017

Genre: Historical Mystery

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

This British mystery book takes place at Oxford University in the 1980s when a socialite is murdered. Ursula Flowerbutton, an English country girl, is trying to investigate the murder for the college paper while trying to befriend the glamorous crowd.

Why Kirsten loves it

It’s a comedic spoof and the outfit descriptions alone had me giggling. I hope it becomes a series of mystery books because I would love to read more of Flowerbutton and her Sloane Ranger friends. The secret societies and prestigious schools make this one of our lighter dark academia books set in college. It’s just a really fun pick.

Find this book in: Best Historical Mystery Books / British Mysteries / Dark Academia Books / Books Set in College / Best Cozy Mystery Books / Books Set in the 80s

The Magpie Murders by

Author: Anthony Horowitz

Year: 2017

Genre: Mystery

More info: Winner of the Macavity Award for Best Novel, NPR Best Book of the Year

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range:

Plot

Susan Ryland is an editor who is working with Alan Conway, as she has for years. He has been writing about the detective Atticus Pünd for years and is very successful. In Conway’s book, Pünd is investigating a murder at Pye Hall, but the more Suan reads, the more she is unsure how much of the book is fiction. In this book, you uncover the murder of a mystery author while also reading his book about murder. Are they interconnected?

Why Jackie loves it

There is a murder mystery within a murder mystery in this well-written and thoughtful book. Anthony Horowitz is an internationally best-selling author for a reason. This book will keep you guessing until the last page. The idea is truly unique and so well executed.

Find this book in: Mystery and Thriller Novels About Writers / Jewish Authors and Writers / British Mysteries

Modern British Mysteries

I Let You Go

Author: Clare Mackintosh

Year: 2016

Genre: Thriller

More info: New York Times Bestseller

Age Range: 16+

Plot

The book begins with a mother’s worst nightmare. Her son slips out of her grip and into the street where he is struck and killed by a car. This happens almost immediately. This was important to me so that it would not be too heart-wrenching.

Now the search is on for the driver of the car. The police are trying to find the driver of the car and are willing to chase any lead to find answers in the horrendous hit-and-run.

Jenna moves to the Welsh coast to escape the loss of her child and her painful past.

Trigger Warnings

Death of a child

Why Jackie loves it

This domestic thriller grabbed me, shook me, and then gently put me down. I was given a ride and wasn’t sure what hit me. This book had a few things that I was not expecting and I loved it. Years after reading it, it is still one of my favorite thrillers I have ever read.

Find this book in: British Mystery Books / Popular Thriller Books/ Best Psychological Thriller Books

Girl on the Train

Author: Paula Hawkins

Year: 2015

Genre: Thriller

More info: #1 New York Times Bestseller
Movie Starring Emily Blunt

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Rachel takes the same train every day and peers out the window watching people. She watched two people in particular as they led what appeared to be a perfect life until one day she saw something terrible while watching them.

She reports it to the police but, can they trust a dysfunctional alcoholic? This is a domestic thriller story that will have you questioning who is telling the truth from the beginning until the end. Unreliable narrators like Rachel make the best page-turners! You’ll never know what to believe!

Trigger Warnings

Alcoholism

Why Kirsten loves it

This is a thriller that is unexpected and original. The unreliable narrator is one of my favorite thriller tropes and Hawkins did it to perfection in this book.

Why Jackie loves it

I loved to hate Rachel. She is the perfect unreliable narrator and I never guessed what would happen next.

Find this book in: Books with Stalkers / Domestic Thrillers / Unreliable Narrators / Psychological Thriller Books / British Books / Nonlinear Narrative Novels / Paula Hawkins Books Ranked / Amnesia Books

The Windsor Knot

Author: S. J. Bennett

Year: 2021

Genre: Mystery

More info: Book 1 of 5: Her Majesty the Queen Investigates

Age Range: 15+

Plot

This cozy murder mystery was an absolute treat. I loved that Queen Elizabeth is the investigator in this mystery book (the first in a series) along with her assistant, Rosie.

Together they figure out who was behind the murder at Windsor Castle during one of the Queen’s Dine-and-Stays. This pick from books about Queen Elizabeth II is perfect for fans of Maggie Hope, Maise Dobbs, and the Royal Family.

Why Kirsten loves it

I love the idea that Queen Elizabeth would have been an investigator as well. It made me smile and the plot was a delight.

Find this book in: Cozy Mystery Books / Books About Queen Elizabeth II / British Mysteries / Ultimate Beach Reads 2021

The Appeal

Author: Janice Hallett

Year: 2022

Genre: Thriller

More info: International Bestseller
Best Book of 2022 by The New York Times
Crime Writer Association New Blood Dagger Award

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

I was utterly charmed by this unique murder mystery book! The premise is great – a detective duo has been given a stack of correspondence (text and emails) and asked to read through and determine who was murdered, why, and who was wrongly accused.

Of course, we readers get to come along for the ride – reading their post-it notes or texts to each other as they try to solve the mystery. I was desperately trying to solve it along with them but I was stumped!

The ending was truly shocking and the many twists and turns had me flying through the story. I read part of it and listened to part. Both formats make for a wonderful experience! This is one I’ll be recommending this pick from the ultimate list of mystery books for years to come!

Trigger Warnings

Cancer

Why Kirsten loves it

This is the first of Janice Hallett’s book and it firmly placed her in the “must-read” author category. The format of this book is brilliant and her other books are equally entertaining, well-written, and brilliantly plotted.

Find this book in: Detective Books / The Ultimate List of Mystery Books / The Best British Mysteries / Epistolary Novels / Janice Hallett Books in Order

British Mystery Series

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Author: Alan Bradley

Year: 2009

Genre: YA Historical Mystery

More info: Flavia De Luce #1

Age Range: 12+

Plot

This is the first book in the Flavia De Luce series. This 11-year-old aspiring chemist is a wonderful heroine who is smart and precocious. In this first book, it is 1950 and Flavia has a love of poisons. When she finds a man taking his last breath in a cucumber patch, she is not scared at all, rather, she delights in solving the mystery.

Why Kirsten loves it

Flavia is an absolute delight to read as she’s easily one of the most unique characters in a mystery series. My dad recommended this series to me. I read it, loved it, and promptly passed it on to my 12-year-old. I love that this story works for readers of all generations.

Why Jackie loves it

This is one of the best first mystery books for younger readers as it does not have violence.

Find this book in: Best Historical Mystery Books / Best Mystery Books of All Time / Best Books for 13-year-olds / British Mysteries / Mystery Books for Kids / Best Cozy Mystery Books / Fun Books for Teens / Books with Food in the Title

The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith

Cormoran Strike is a private investigator on the verge of failure when a client walks through the door with an amazing story.

He is the brother of the recently deceased Lulu Landry, a famous supermodel. Refusing to believe his sister’s death was a suicide, he wants Cormoran to prove she was murdered.

If I am honest, I would have read this book no matter what because of who wrote it. However, I kept reading the series because I love it. The last book was close to 700 pages so, there was no way I was reading that if I wasn’t totally invested in these characters.

Rowling has a way of starting small, introducing you to characters, and sucking you in. Cormoran Strike is the exact opposite of Chief Inspector Gamache. He is flawed and cranky but, you will love him just the same.

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Maisie Dobbs

Author: Jacqueline Winspear

Year: 2003

Genre: Historical Mystery

More info: Maisie Dobbs #1

Age Range: 13+

Plot

Maisie Dobbs is not your typical private investigator. For a start, she is a woman working as a PI in 1929. She is a psychologist and a detective who trained under renowned Maurice Blanche a former member of Scotland Yard. She branches out and decides to start her own business.

Maisie’s first case seems like it should be a simple case of infidelity. Instead, it leads her to a murder and back to WWI where she was a nurse. She is smart, thoughtful, and fun to read.

Why Kirsten loves it

I read this cozy mystery novel in one day. It was so refreshing to see post-war England through Maisie’s eyes as she entered a field dominated by men. I cannot wait to read more books in this fabulous series.

Find this book in: Detective Books / Historical Mystery Books / British Mystery Books / Jazz Age Novels

Historical Fiction British Mystery Books

The Beekeeper’s Apprentice

Author: Laurie R. King

Year: 1944

Genre: Historical Mystery

More info: Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes #1

Age Range: 14+

Plot

This one is for all the Sherlock fans out there. It takes place after the classic canon ends with the introduction of the retired Holmes and his new neighbor – Mary Russell. When an American Senator’s daughter is kidnapped, Holmes and his protege are called to help Scotland Yard with the case.

Why Kirsten loves it

I adore this historical mystery book series, as does my dad who is a mystery reader exclusively. This series is has more than a dozen books already, each better than the last. I love seeing Mary and Sherlock’s relationship change over the series as Mary hones her skills.

Find this book in: Sherlock Holmes Fiction / Best Historical Mystery Books / Ultimate List of Mystery Books / British Mysteries

Mr. Churchill’s Secretary

Author: Susan Elia MacNeal

Year: 2012

Genre: Historical Mystery

More info: Maggie Hope #1

Age Range: 14+

Plot

The thing I love about Susan Elia MacNeal is that she doesn’t make the females in her series meek. She puts them center stage in the middle of the war; solving mysteries, spying, fighting, and the like.

In 1940’s London, Maggie Hope has just started working at 10 Downing Street as a secretary for Winston Churchill. Soon, Maggie is drafted to serve her country as she attempts to thwart an assassination attempt.

Why Kirsten loves it

The women in this historical fiction mystery series are tough cookies who don’t need a man’s protection. I adored Maggie Hope who is a whipsmart, fearless protaganist. I’m only a few books into this British mystery series but I love each one.

Find this book in: Best Historical Mystery Books / British Mystery Books / Best Books About WWII / Books about Female Spies

Death Comes to Pemberley

Author: P. D. James

Year: 2011

Genre: Historical Mystery

Age Range: 16+

Plot

This story takes place a few years after Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy get married. While the Darcys are preparing for a ball, Lydia comes hurtling up the drive claiming that Wickham has been murdered. Soon the whole family, along with the Bingleys, are plunged into the investigation and its aftermath.

Why Kirsten loves it

My favorite part about this story was getting to see Elizabeth and Darcy’s marriage. Pride and Prejudice ends as they declare their love for one another, so it was nice to see how they had grown as a couple. I was not as engaged in the mystery element as I was expecting to be, but perhaps that’s because I was so interested in revisiting some of my favorite characters.

Find this book in: Best Historical Mystery Books / British Mysteries / Pride and Prejudice Retellings

Classic British Murder Mysteries

And Then There Were None

Author: Agatha Christie

Year: 1939

Genre: Classic Mystery

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

A mysterious person is trying to right the wrongs of the past by luring unsuspecting criminals to a deserted island…and then murdering them one by one. But who is the killer? Why are they killing? And just how long have they been stalking their prey? You have to figure out whodunit in this unreliable narrator book.

Why Kirsten loves it

This Agatha Christie book is one of the best stories she has EVER written. It was fast-paced, totally engaging and I did not see the ending coming. Each murder was more clever then the one before. Check out the black and white movie based on the book. It’s great!

Why Jackie loves it

A classic for a reason, Agatha Christie broke the mold with this book. It’s one of the most well-plotted mysteries I’ve ever read.

Find this book in: Unreliable Narrator Book / Best Classic Novels / Historical Mystery Books / Agatha Christie Books in Order / Best Mystery Books / Locked Room Mysteries

The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection

Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Year: 1887-1927

Genre: Mystery

More info:

Age Range: 12+

Plot

Sherlock Holmes’ ability to solve each crime is fascinating. His observations are astute and I can never, ever guess who committed the crime.

If you are looking for the best mystery books of all time, Sherlock Holmes cannot be missed. This complete collection has all the short stories and the 4 Holmes novels.

Why Kirsten loves it

I am a HUGE detective story lover and no one does detective stories better than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. These books have inspired countless adaptations and retellings since their initial publication.

Find this book in: Sherlock Holmes Books / Literary Classics / Best Mystery Books / British Mysteries / Short Stories