18 Top Mystery Writers Of All Time
The top mystery writers of all time include Agatha Christie, P.D. James, and Arthur Conan Doyle, among others. Christie, known as ‘The Queen of Crime,’ sold over 2 billion copies worldwide and wrote 66 detective novels featuring Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, setting the gold standard for the genre.
Curl up with a good detective story or murder mystery by checking out these top mystery writers. If you enjoy crime fiction, check out our guide to the best Patricia Cornwell books.
When it comes to books that keep people guessing, mystery fiction is at the top of the list. Some writers seem to have a knack for writing mystery novels that are real page-turners. If you are a fan of this type of writing, you will want to check out the works of some of these authors.
Whether you are looking for a classic detective story or something a little more edgy and thrilling, you will find an author on this list that fits the need. Stock your bookshelf with these top mystery writers, and enjoy the books that have thrilled millions of readers before you.
Many of the below are also crime thriller authors of note. From the antics of Sherlock Holmes to the detective work of Jack Reacher, here are the top 18 mystery writers that you will want to look for on Amazon.
The mystery writers dataset
Before the write-ups below, here is the full picture: a filterable dataset of 50 mystery, crime and thriller authors, from the Victorian founders through the Golden Age and the hard-boiled era to the contemporary bestsellers. Every author’s life dates and key works are verified against a live source (see the SOURCES ledger). Filter by era or subgenre, or search for an author or a title.
Showing 50 of 50 authors
Edgar Allan Poe
1809–1849Detective fiction · Victorian/Founding
Key works: The Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Purloined Letter, The Gold-Bug
Wilkie Collins
1824–1889Detective fiction · Victorian/Founding
Key works: The Woman in White, No Name, Armadale, The Moonstone
Arthur Conan Doyle
1859–1930Detective fiction · Victorian/Founding
Key works: A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of the Four, The Hound of the Baskervilles
G. K. Chesterton
1874–1936Detective fiction · Golden Age
Key works: The Father Brown stories, The Man Who Was Thursday, The Napoleon of Notting Hill
Mary Roberts Rinehart
1876–1958Golden Age whodunit · Golden Age
Key works: The Circular Staircase, The Man in Lower Ten, The Case of Jennie Brice, The Door
Rex Stout
1886–1975Detective fiction · Golden Age
Key works: Fer-de-Lance, The League of Frightened Men, The Rubber Band, Too Many Cooks
Erle Stanley Gardner
1889–1970Detective fiction · Golden Age
Key works: The Case of the Velvet Claws, Perry Mason series, Cool and Lam series, Doug Selby series
Agatha Christie
1890–1976Golden Age whodunit · Golden Age
Key works: The Mysterious Affair at Styles, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Murder on the Orient Express, And Then There Were None
Dorothy L. Sayers
1893–1957Golden Age whodunit · Golden Age
Key works: Whose Body?, Strong Poison, Gaudy Night, Busman's Honeymoon
Ngaio Marsh
1895–1982Golden Age whodunit · Golden Age
Key works: A Man Lay Dead, Enter a Murderer, Artists in Crime, Death at the Bar
Josephine Tey
1896–1952Golden Age whodunit · Golden Age
Key works: The Man in the Queue, A Shilling for Candles, The Daughter of Time, The Singing Sands
Margery Allingham
1904–1966Golden Age whodunit · Golden Age
Key works: The Crime at Black Dudley, Mystery Mile, The Tiger in the Smoke, The China Governess
Ellery Queen
1905–1982Golden Age whodunit · Golden Age
Key works: The Roman Hat Mystery, The Dutch Shoe Mystery, Calamity Town, Cat of Many Tails
John Dickson Carr
1906–1977Golden Age whodunit · Golden Age
Key works: The Hollow Man, The Burning Court, The Crooked Hinge, The Judas Window
Raymond Chandler
1888–1959Hardboiled / noir · Hardboiled era
Key works: The Big Sleep, Farewell, My Lovely, The Lady in the Lake, The Long Goodbye
Dashiell Hammett
1894–1961Hardboiled / noir · Hardboiled era
Key works: Red Harvest, The Maltese Falcon, The Glass Key, The Thin Man
Cornell Woolrich
1903–1968Hardboiled / noir · Hardboiled era
Key works: The Bride Wore Black, The Black Curtain, Phantom Lady, The Black Angel
Chester Himes
1909–1984Hardboiled / noir · Hardboiled era
Key works: A Rage in Harlem, The Real Cool Killers, Cotton Comes to Harlem, Blind Man with a Pistol
Ross Macdonald
1915–1983Hardboiled / noir · Hardboiled era
Key works: The Moving Target, The Drowning Pool, The Galton Case, The Chill
Mickey Spillane
1918–2006Hardboiled / noir · Hardboiled era
Key works: I, the Jury, My Gun Is Quick, One Lonely Night, Kiss Me, Deadly
Georges Simenon
1903–1989Police procedural · Mid-century
Key works: Pietr the Latvian, Maigret at the Gai-Moulin, The Saint-Fiacre Affair, Maigret Goes Home
P. D. James
1920–2014Detective fiction · Mid-century
Key works: Cover Her Face, A Mind to Murder, Death of an Expert Witness, A Taste for Death
Patricia Highsmith
1921–1995Psychological thriller · Mid-century
Key works: Strangers on a Train, The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Cry of the Owl, Ripley Under Ground
Ruth Rendell
1930–2015Psychological thriller · Mid-century
Key works: From Doon with Death, A Guilty Thing Surprised, The Speaker of Mandarin, An Unkindness of Ravens
Elmore Leonard
1925–2013Crime fiction · Contemporary
Key works: Get Shorty, Rum Punch, Out of Sight, City Primeval
Tony Hillerman
1925–2008Detective / mystery · Contemporary
Key works: The Blessing Way, Dance Hall of the Dead, Skinwalkers, A Thief of Time
Lawrence Block
b. 1938Hardboiled / PI · Contemporary
Key works: The Sins of the Fathers, Eight Million Ways to Die, A Dance at the Slaughterhouse, A Walk Among the Tombstones
Sue Grafton
1940–2017Hardboiled / PI · Contemporary
Key works: "A" Is for Alibi, "B" Is for Burglar, "C" Is for Corpse, "G" Is for Gumshoe
Thomas Harris
b. 1940Psychological thriller · Contemporary
Key works: Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, Hannibal Rising
Donna Leon
b. 1942Police procedural · Contemporary
Key works: Death at La Fenice, Friends in High Places, The Jewels of Paradise
Janet Evanovich
b. 1943Comic mystery / cozy · Contemporary
Key works: One for the Money, Two for the Dough, Three to Get Deadly, Hot Six
James Patterson
b. 1947Thriller / crime fiction · Contemporary
Key works: Along Came a Spider, Kiss the Girls, Alex Cross series, Women's Murder Club series
Sara Paretsky
b. 1947Hardboiled / PI · Contemporary
Key works: Indemnity Only, Deadlock, Blood Shot, Blacklist
Henning Mankell
1948–2015Nordic noir · Contemporary
Key works: Faceless Killers, The Dogs of Riga, Sidetracked, The Troubled Man
Kathy Reichs
b. 1948Forensic thriller · Contemporary
Key works: Déjà Dead, Death du Jour, Deadly Décisions, Break No Bones
Walter Mosley
b. 1952Hardboiled / PI · Contemporary
Key works: Devil in a Blue Dress, A Red Death, White Butterfly, Black Betty
Lee Child
b. 1954Thriller · Contemporary
Key works: Killing Floor, Die Trying, The Enemy, Personal
Stieg Larsson
1954–2004Nordic noir · Contemporary
Key works: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest
Anthony Horowitz
b. 1955Mystery / suspense · Contemporary
Key works: The House of Silk, Magpie Murders, Stormbreaker
Val McDermid
b. 1955Tartan noir / psychological thriller · Contemporary
Key works: The Mermaids Singing, Wire in the Blood, A Place of Execution, The Distant Echo
Michael Connelly
b. 1956Police procedural / crime fiction · Contemporary
Key works: The Black Echo, The Lincoln Lawyer, The Brass Verdict, Dark Sacred Night
Patricia Cornwell
b. 1956Forensic thriller · Contemporary
Key works: Postmortem, Body of Evidence, All That Remains, Cruel and Unusual
Louise Penny
b. 1958Cozy mystery / police procedural · Contemporary
Key works: Still Life, A Fatal Grace, The Brutal Telling, Bury Your Dead
Ian Rankin
b. 1960Tartan noir · Contemporary
Key works: Knots and Crosses, Black and Blue, The Naming of the Dead, Exit Music
Jo Nesbø
b. 1960Nordic noir · Contemporary
Key works: The Bat, The Snowman, The Leopard, Knife
Harlan Coben
b. 1962Mystery / thriller · Contemporary
Key works: Tell No One, The Stranger, Fool Me Once, Missing You
Dennis Lehane
b. 1965Crime fiction / thriller · Contemporary
Key works: A Drink Before the War, Mystic River, Shutter Island, Gone, Baby, Gone
Gillian Flynn
b. 1971Psychological thriller · Contemporary
Key works: Sharp Objects, Dark Places, Gone Girl, The Grownup
Karin Slaughter
b. 1971Crime / mystery thriller · Contemporary
Key works: Triptych, Fractured, Cop Town, Pieces of Her
Tana French
b. 1973Psychological mystery · Contemporary
Key works: In the Woods, The Likeness, Broken Harbour, The Secret Place
Who is The Most Popular Mystery Writer?
Agatha Christie, AKA The Queen of Crime, is frequently cited as the most popular mystery writer ever. Her literary prowess is evident in the sheer volume of her work and the global acclaim she received. Born in 1890, Christie penned over 66 detective novels, 14 short story collections, and numerous plays. Her books have been translated into more than 100 languages, making her one of the most translated authors in history.
The immense popularity of Christie’s works is further underscored by the staggering sales figures. It is estimated that she has sold over 2 billion copies worldwide, a feat surpassed only by the Bible and Shakespeare. Her stories, often featuring iconic detectives like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, have captivated readers for generations, and her intricate plots and unexpected twists have set the gold standard for mystery writing.
Best Mystery Writers Of All Time
1. Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie is the most popular mystery writer ever
A discussion of the best mystery writers usually starts with Agatha Christie. She is the best-selling author of all time, with 66 mystery books under her name. Some of her most famous works include:
Her books feature well-known characters like Miss Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot, and her play The Mousetrap is the longest-running in the history of theater. She is known for keeping her readers and audience guessing who did it until the end. Check out our guide to the best Agatha Christie books.
2. P.D. James
P.D. James
P.D. James, the pen name of Phyllis Dorothy James White, was a British mystery writer who created the character of Dalgliesh, a master detective who solves crimes with an introspective personality. She also wrote a series of non-fiction books that explored real-life true mystery stories. Some of the best PD James books include:
“If people died in your house the least you could do was to attend the funeral.” P.D. James
3. Thomas Harris
The creator of the infamous serial killer Hannibal Lecter, Thomas Harris, deserves a spot on this list of mystery authors. Many of his books are now major motion pictures, and The Silence of the Lambs swept the Academy Awards. Some of Harris’s most famous books include:
These books fall under the suspense novel and psychological thriller category of mystery novels.
“Fear comes with imagination, it’s a penalty, it’s the price of imagination.” Thomas Harris
4. Daphne du Maurier
Daphne du Maurier
Daphne du Maurier rose to fame as a mystery writer when Alfred Hitchcock made a film based on her short story “The Birds” and her novel Rebecca. When she first published her books, critics did not take her seriously, but today her genius is well-recognized. Some of the most famous books by du Maurier include:
What makes du Maurier’s books so enduring is her ability to build tension throughout the story while shrowding some characters in never-ending mystery. She is also responsible for one of the most famous quotes in the genre:
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” Daphne du Maurier
5. Dashiell Hammett
Dashiell Hammett
If your idea of a good mystery is a detective novel, then Dashiell Hammet is an author you’ll want to explore. He created several characters that have stood the test of time, including Sam Spade, Nick and Nora Charles, and the Continental Op. Some of his top books include:
Hammett has earned credit for launching the hard-boiled detective fiction genre.
“He looked rather pleasantly, like a blonde Satan.” Dashiell Hammett
6. James Patterson
James Patterson
James Patterson is a modern mystery writer with over 380 million books sold worldwide. He has the Guinness World Record for the most New York Times Bestsellers. He is well-known for thriller novels and has also dabbled in young adult fiction. Some of Patterson’s most famous works include:
Passionate about helping children love to read, he launched ReadKiddoRead.com, a website designed to spark a love for reading with kids. You may also like our James Patterson Masterclass review.
“I never miss a good chance to shut up” James Patterson
7. Ruth Rendell
Ruth Rendell
Ruth Rendell, who sometimes wrote under the pseudonym Barbara Vine, writes psychological crime novels. Many of her books focus on domestic violence and family issues while also highlighting the plight of women in society. Some of her most famous works include:
She is famous for creating Chief Inspector Wexford as one of her murder mystery novel characters.
“You’re supposed to be a detective. Well, detect.” Ruth Rendell
8. Truman Capote
Truman Capote
Truman Capote is a famous American writer with several books considered literary classics today. Not all of his books are mystery books, but some are, earning him a spot on this list. He got his start writing short stories for The New Yorker. Some of his most famous works include:
At least 20 films and television shows have Capote’s books as their primary source.
9. Stieg Larsson
Though he only has three main works to his name, Stieg Larsson remains a top suspense and mystery writer. This Swedish writer also left behind some unpublished manuscripts for thriller books when he died. His most famous works include:
Originally published in Swedish, his books have since been translated into many languages and have sold 80 million copies globally.
“What she had realized was that love was that moment when your heart was about to burst.” Stieg Larsson
10. Stephen King
Stephen King, author of numerous famous mystery books
The name Stephen King is synonymous with horror and mystery books. The prolific author has over 350 million copies of his books in print, and multiple books are now major motion pictures. In 2007 he was named Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America, and in 2015, he earned a National Medal of Arts from the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts due to his many contributions to literature. Some of the King of Horror’s best-selling books include:
King used a few pseudonyms throughout his career, including Richard Bachman, John Swithen, and Beryl Evans. Check out our guide to the best-selling Stephen King books.
“Sometimes human places, create inhuman monsters.” Stephen King
11. Dorothy L. Sayers
Dorothy L. Sayers was a British author who published her works in the early 1900s. She created the character Lord Peter Wimsey, an amateur sleuth who finds himself caught up in a variety of murder experiences. Some of her most famous works include:
In addition to mystery novels, Sayers wrote short stories and plays.
“Even idiots occasionally speak the truth accidentally.” Dorothy L. Sayers
12. Gillian Flynn
Gillian Flynn
Gillian Flynn is an American author who has four novels under her belt. A competent storyteller, Flynn can potentially bring even more thriller and mystery books to the literary world in the future. Her book Gone Girl is now a major motion picture. Her three novels include:
In 2007 her debut novel, Sharp Objects, was shortlisted for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel by an American Author from the Mystery Writers of America.
“There’s something disturbing about recalling a warm memory and feeling utterly cold.” Gillian Flynn
13. Lee Child
Lee Child
Lee Child earned instant success with his first book, Killing Floor, which introduced the famous character of Jack Reacher, a roaming former military man who finds many opportunities to investigate criminal acts. Because of his success, he continued to write crime novels, and eventually, his character made it to the big screen in a movie starring Tom Cruise. Some of the most popular Jack Reacher novels include:
Child has written more than two dozen Jack Reacher novels, a series he now co-writes with his brother Andrew Child.
“I’m not a vagrant. I’m a hobo. Big difference.” Lee Child
14. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The creator of investigator Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, has a well-earned spot on the list of top mystery writers.
Today, the word “Sherlock” is synonymous with a detective, and this is due to the immense popularity of the works of Arthur Conan Doyle.
“What you do in this world is a matter of no consequence. The question is what can you make people believe you have done.” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
15. Dennis Lehane
Dennis Lehane
Dennis Lehane is famous for his mysteries that follow Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro, two protagonists who solve mysteries together. Four of his books have become motion pictures. Lehane earned the Shamus Award for Best First P.I. Novel in 1995. Some of his most popular works include:
In addition to his mysteries, Lehane published a historical fiction novel The Given Day, in 2008.
“There are threads in our lives. You pull one, and everything else gets affected.” Dennis Lehane
16. Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Few writers are as synonymous with suspense as Edgar Allan Poe. He does not write “whodunit” style books but is often called the creator of the science fiction and detective story genres. His tales are filled with imagination, morbidity, mystery , and a bit of terror. Some famous works of Poe’s include:
Most of Poe’s works are short stories and poems.
“And now have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but over acuteness of the senses?” Edgar Allan Poe
17. John Grisham
John Grisham
John Grisham’s take on the mystery book is to go beyond the detective and police officer and write from the perspective of a criminal defense or personal injury litigator. His books are known as legal thrillers, and he pulls from his own experience as a lawyer practicing in Mississippi. Southern settings weave their way into his mystery novels. Some of his most famous books include:
Many Grisham novels share their titles and plots with famous motion pictures, and Grisham is still publishing books today.
“The theory was simple: If a man had enough sense to accumulate a bunch of cash, then he would certainly make a worthy U.S senator.” John Grisham
18. Tana French
Tana French is another New York Times bestselling author. This Dublin native earned the Irish Book Award for Crime Fiction and the Los Angeles Times Award for Best Mystery/Thriller. She came onto the mystery novel scene somewhat quietly but earned international acclaim since the publication of her first novel. Some of her most famous works, which are a mixture of police procedural and psychological thriller novels, include:
Her books often take place in Dublin, where she lives, which adds interest to the settings.
“I am not good at noticing when I’m happy, except in retrospect.” Tana French
A Final Word on Top Mystery Authors
Mystery books and stories are popular because they keep the reader engaged and guessing via plot twists. The best murder mystery writers know how to keep enough details from the reader, so the ending is a complete surprise.
If you are a fan of this genre, you will find there are many must-read authors out there. From classics like Edgar Allan Poe to modern writers like Grisham and Patterson, you can fill your bookshelf with mystery fiction and always have a great story to read when you have time.
How I Chose the Top Mystery Writers
My deep dive began on Goodreads, where I scoured ratings and reviews to identify writers who consistently captivated mystery enthusiasts. I then referenced bestseller lists to understand which mystery writers consistently struck a chord with the broader reading public. I asked several mystery book fans and members of mystery book clubs to unearth insights about the writers who excel in crafting tension, suspense, and memorable whodunits.
I was keen on highlighting a mix - established icons of the genre, as well as fresh voices bringing new perspectives. It wasn’t just about a single great book but a consistent track record of delivering gripping tales. Sales figures played a role too, giving me a sense of which authors had the widest and most enduring appeal. I’ve compiled a list that represents the crème de la crème of mystery writing.
FAQs on Top Mystery Writers
Who are the best mystery writers today?
The best modern mystery writers include John Grisham, James Patterson, and Stephen King.
Who are the best mystery authors?
Throughout literary history, some mystery authors have stood out. These include Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Edgar Allan Poe.
Who are the top cozy mystery writers?
Some of the best cozy mystery writers are Agatha Christie, Janice Hallett, Anthony Horowitz and Richard Osman. In The Guardian, SJ Bennett states that with the ‘cozy crime’ genre, “we spend our time… among communities who, despite their differences, ultimately trust each other and get along.”
Who are the top British mystery writers?
The best British mystery writers include Martina Cole, Ian Rankin, Agatha Christie, P. D. James Ruth Rendell, Arthur Conan Doyle and Nicci French. Of course, that is just to name a few. Britain has an excellent history of wonderful writers and continues to produce brilliant mystery writers today. Agatha Christie’s novel And Then There Were None is the world’s best-selling mystery novel, with more than 100 million copies sold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is considered the greatest mystery writer of all time?
Agatha Christie is widely considered the greatest mystery writer of all time. She wrote 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, selling over 2 billion copies worldwide. Her books have been translated into more than 100 languages, and only the Bible and Shakespeare have outsold her.
What are the most famous mystery novels ever written?
Among the most famous mystery novels are Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None,’ ‘Murder on the Orient Express,’ and ‘The Mysterious Affair at Styles.’ Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories and P.D. James’s Adam Dalgliesh series are also considered classics of the mystery genre.
How many books did Agatha Christie write?
Agatha Christie wrote over 66 detective novels, 14 short story collections, and numerous plays during her career. Born in 1890, she created iconic detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Her play ‘The Mousetrap’ holds the record as the longest-running play in theater history.
What makes a great mystery writer?
Great mystery writers craft intricate plots with unexpected twists that keep readers guessing until the final pages. They build compelling, memorable detective characters and construct believable yet surprising solutions to crimes. Authors like Agatha Christie and P.D. James are celebrated for combining psychological depth with clever plotting.
Who are the best modern mystery writers working today?
Top modern mystery writers include Tana French, known for her Dublin Murder Squad series, and Gillian Flynn, whose ‘Gone Girl’ redefined psychological thrillers. Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series and Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta novels are also among the best-selling contemporary mystery and crime fiction franchises.
Read more, write better
One practical craft tip, a new tool, and a fresh contest deadline, every Thursday. Free.
About this guide: Written by Bryan Collins, writer and founder of Become a Writer Today. Our recommendations are based on hands-on testing and independent research. Become a Writer Today does not accept payment for rankings or recommendations.
The writer's edit
One practical writing tip, a new tool, and a fresh contest deadline, every Thursday. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.