Could you recommend me a really clever mystery book?

[samalama]

Everyone I know is either off on holiday for the bank holiday weekend or having BBQs or going on days out, but I'm alone and with no one to make plans with. So I thought I'll get myself lots of ice cream and chocolates and do some reading over the weekend.

Does anyone have any recs for a nice mystery book with some very clever detection? Either all the clues line up so nicely or the one big clue at the end makes everything clear and is very satisfying. I've read the Richard Osman ones and they don't fit the bill. I like Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle but I've read most of theirs. Still, any recommendations welcome, either old or new books.

https://www.jefferydeaver.com/novel/the-october-list/

Busman's Honeymoon or Strong Poison by Dorothy Sayers.

The Appeal, by Janice Hallet.

Have you read any of Janice Hallett's books? They are very clever I think

Came to recommend The Appeal as well @EllisIsEllis

M R James stories
Turn Of The Screw
The Purloined Letter
A A Milne's one mystery novel Red Room I think
Raffles and Bunny stories

Alexandra Benedict has The Christmas Murder Game, The Beauty of Murder, The Evidence of Ghosts and also The Stone House. Her books are clever and also have hidden anagrams and word puzzles scattered through them.

Colin Dexter, especially The Jewel that was Ours. And Reginald Hill, especially On Beulah Height. Both of them had me kicking myself for not spotting something.

The Falco books by Lyndsey Davis. I'm the kind of person who spots a plot twist a mile off. But her books are so clever I just give up and go along for the ride - they are set in Roman Times with an investigator who isn't moody mean and solitary but has enormous rumbunctious family around them. If you don't know them you're in for a treat. And you'll fall slightly in love with Falco... And then it gets even better when his daughter follows in his footsteps albeit in entirely her own style.

they are set in Roman Times

For a moment there I thought you meant the book font.

JKs Strike series is fantastic.

i wouldn't say they're extremely extremely clever, but the historical research and plot lines in the maisie dobbs series by jacqueline winspear are very enjoyable :) plus there are loads of them to read!

If you like Agatha Christie have you tried Margery Allingham or Josephine Tey? They are very overlooked now.

One of the cleverest mystery books is by Francis Iles and is called Malice Aforethought. An absolute classic from the 1930s. The murderer's identity is revealed in the first line of the novel, which gives the reader insight into the workings of his mind as his plans progress.

Not sure if it's the kind of mystery book you're looking for but Affinity by Sarah (Sara?) Waters is good. Set in a Victorian women's prison - one that really existed. It's presented as kind of a ghost story but there is a mystery to solve to explain what's happening.

Absolutely John Dickson Carr - The Hollow Man (he's the king of locked room mystery) or anything by Dorothy L Sayers - best read in order if possible.

Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji is really good. Also following to download some new books too

I agree with a poster above, the Strike books are incredible. I have found nothing that equal them!

The Other Woman...also really good on audible if you like listening

I also came to suggest Janice Hallett. I’ve just finished the examiner.

So many to mention but for clever think Ben Elton Popcorn. Xx

Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold. Not a pure mystery as such but a book I really lost myself in.

Jane Harper's books are very clever. Start with The Dry. For psychological thrillers try Helene Flood.

Black Widow by Chris Brookmyre

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent (psych fiction rather than a thriller but v good)
The Memory Wood by Sam Lloyd
The Dark Room (also psych fiction rather than a traditional thriller)

Great thread I’m just here to take notes