Page-turning mysteries that don’t involve murder

[Kai1981]

I think I’ve overdosed on Agatha Christie and various modern cosy crimes! Need something a little softer but still page- turning.

Any recommendations for mystery type novels that don’t involve lots of death? I like psychological thrillers but a lot of them feature murder too.

The Maid by Nita Prose is a good read.

Maybe Robert Goddard? It’s a while since I read his stuff but seem to remember it’s more mystery than crime. Real page-turners .. after four or five they feel a bit samey but the first few are excellent. I remember enjoying In Pale Battalions.

Spy novels? John Le Carre?

What about Wilkie Collins? Start with The Woman in White or The Moonstone.

Bit random but I enjoyed Havana Year Zero by Karla Suárez a few years ago. It's about a mathematician looking for evidence that the phone was invented in Cuba.

Wilkie Collins is a good shout.

One of the best books I read in the past year - Wrong Time, Wrong Place, by Gillian McAllister. It’s about trying to prevent a murder before it happens but 99% it’s about relationships, parenting and are people who they say they are.

It involves murder though, in fact centres around it.

Thank you, will take a look at the recommendations.

I couldn’t get on Wilkie Collins, no idea why when I love things like Sarah Waters (adore Fingersmith) and Dickens. Maybe I should try again.

The Maid did have murder as part of the storyline unfortunately.

It’s surprisingly hard to find something!

L V Matthews writes psychological thrillers with really unusual plots. Good writing too.

Yes, you are right I'd does 😳
I mentioned it because it felt like a very cosy story to me, no graphic details etc...

The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey? Yes, it is about Richard III and the princes in the tower, but the actual murders aren’t really the focus?

With The Moonstone, you really have to power through the first couple of chapters narrated by the butler - it's worth it!

It’s very left field based on what you’ve asked for, but Liane Moriarty’s novels have a mystery element. I’d recommend “What Alice Forgot” and “The Husbands Secret”.

Actually, thinking about it, The Franchise Affair (also Josephine Tey) is about a kidnapping.

I’d second Robert Goddard. Into The Blue is great.

Jane Austen. No murders. Best stories ever written in English in my humble opinion.

The Vanishing Half is a page turner. There is a death but it’s not the focus. The drive of the story is about the diverging lives of the 2 sisters and their families.

I know that Daughter of Time is highly regarded but I couldn't get on with it. I much preferred the Franchise Affair.

Thank you, will take a look.

I don’t mind historical or modern day, so all good recommendations.

I'm reading the skeleton key at the moment. I suspect we may have a death but I'm a third of the way in and nothing yet. It's the Waterstones book of the month and I am really enjoying so far.

No spoilers pls if I'm wrong....

I loved Josephine Tey to love and be wise, but found the franchise affair overhyped.

Wylder's Hand by Joseph Sherriden Le Fanu is brilliant but perhaps not entirely on brief but read it anyway.

Following with interest

The shadow of the wind? Can’t remember if that has a murder…

Thank you!

@Snoopsnoggysnog I loved Shadow of the Wind. Wish there were more books around like that!

So did I @Kai1981 - I think there are some sequels but I haven’t read them, you could check those out?

Jane Austen. No murders. Best stories ever written in English in my humble opinion.

@Notgoodatpoetrybutgreatatlit not really any 'Page-turning mysteries that don’t involve murder' either though, unless you're thinking about the novel's Catherland Morland loves to read. Actually, what about The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe? I've not read it but it's gothic rather than a murder mystery. Do you like swirly gothic novels?