The Best Mystery Audiobooks to Entertain Your Inner Sleuth | Audible.com

The Best Mystery Audiobooks to Entertain Your Inner Sleuth | Audible.com

The very best mystery audiobooks to entertain your inner sleuth

Want a great mystery to get caught up in but don't know where to start? We’ve narrowed down the field to our top picks so you can dive right into listening and searching for clues.

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Luis Daniel Gonzalez

March 20, 2024

The very best mystery audiobooks to entertain your inner sleuth

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Looking for the perfect audiobook to keep you utterly engrossed during your next long drive, round of weekend chores, or cozy night in? Look no further. This list of exceptionally puzzling, mind-bending mysteries will have you holding on to every twist and turn as the narrator pulls you in and takes you along on the hunt for the truth.

The Maid

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Fans of Clue-like mysteries will delight in this quirky, character-driven romp. At 25, Molly Gray is quite content in her job as a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel. She doesn't see the world the way most other people do, and ever since her Gran died, the routines of her work day have brought her welcome solace—until she finds a dead body in a room. Suddenly, Maggie is cast into a world of deception and danger. Lauren Ambrose gives a delightful performance of this twisty and heartwarming story—capturing all of Molly's quirks, strengths, and insecurities—alongside a cast of unique friends and foes.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Stieg Larsson, Reg Keeland - translator

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Reeling from a libel trial, journalist Mikael Blomkvist desperately needs someone brilliant to help him crack a decades-old cold case involving the disappearance of a young heiress. He winds up with Lisbeth Salander, an angry, withdrawn punk genius hacker. When the pair begins digging, they uncover a deeper mystery tied to staggering high-level corruption. If you haven't yet listened to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, you’re seriously missing out. Author Stieg Larsson crafts a meticulous, tightly-woven world rich with questions of justice, sexuality, trauma, and morality. Hall of Fame narrator Simon Vance is the perfect voice for a gripping story that brings to life such a tangle of unique, dark characters.

The Cuckoo's Calling

Robert Galbraith

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As you probably know, Robert Galbraith is the pseudonym of J.K. Rowling, the mastermind behind the Harry Potter universe. But don’t be wary of listening to a grown-up mystery from your favorite childhood author—Rowling’s knack for world-building and character creation shines in this well-crafted whodunit. Back home in London from Afghanistan, where he lost one of his legs to a land mine, Detective Cormoran Strike is in a downward spiral—drowning in debt, living out of his office, and hurting from a fresh breakup—when someone walks into his office with a new case. Months ago, supermodel Lula Landry plunged to her death in what the police wrote off as a suicide ... but what if there was something far more insidious at play? Narrated by BBC regular Robert Glenister, The Cuckoo's Calling takes its time, allowing the listener to savor the details rather than rushing them through for a thrill. As Strike is thrown into the world of the rich and famous, listeners will be hanging on to every word, just as intrigued as the detective himself.

A Rage in Harlem

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First published in 1957, A Rage in Harlem introduces listeners to Coffin Ed Johnson, the hapless protagonist brought to life by Chester Himes, an ex-con turned acclaimed crime fiction master. In his series debut, set in 20th-century Harlem, Johnson gets swept into the world of crime, teeming with crooked cops—and it'll take all the luck in the world for him to get out alive. Beloved actor and Audie-nominated narrator Samuel L. Jackson gives a brilliant performance of Himes's hardboiled classic, capturing all of Johnson's bluster, humor, and endearing naivety.

Still Life

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Meet Chief Inspector Armand Gamache—a smart, good-hearted inspector, who's well-liked and passionate about his work. When Gamache and his team are called to the scene of a suspicious death in Three Pines, a tiny hamlet south of Montreal, they learn that the victim is Jane Neal, schoolteacher, artist, and beloved fixture of the community. While locals bemoan the tragedy of a hunting trip gone awry, Gamache senses something far more sinister afoot. Ralph Cosham’s steady voice guides you carefully through the mystery while capturing the ambiance of the quaint setting. Marking the debut of Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Gamache series, Still Life is a must-listen for fans of classic whodunits driven by dashing sleuths.

The Woman in Cabin 10

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This mystery starts out in paradise, on a luxury cruise ship. But soon, things take a turn for travel journalist Lo Blacklock after she witnesses a woman being thrown overboard. With all the passengers still accounted for and no one to believe her, Lo embarks on an investigation that will make you glad to be safe on land. Ruth Ware pairs lush descriptions of an opulent at-sea vacation with a mind-boggling situation. And with performer Imogen Church at the helm, deftly maneuvering through each twist and turn with her spot-on accents and well-honed narrative style, The Woman in Cabin 10 is certifiably pause-resistant.

The Black Echo: Harry Bosch Series, Book 1

Michael Connelly

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Gritty crime-fighting hero Harry Bosch, US Army veteran and LAPD homicide detective, is so entertaining that he’s now the star of an Amazon Prime show. But before he was brought to life on screen, Bosch lived in the pages of Michael Connelly’s Edgar Award-winning series of novels. In the first installment, Bosch dives into LA's dangerous underworld to solve the murder of Billy Meadows, his former brother-in-arms. Plunging into the belly of the beast, he must relive the horrors of his time spent in war-torn Vietnam while facing his most personal case yet. As if the story weren’t compelling enough on its own, narrator Dick Hill, fan-favorite winner of three Audie Awards, delivers a performance that brings this engrossing tale to its shocking end with perfect pacing and tone.

And Then There Were None

Agatha Christie

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Agatha Christie is a legend of the mystery genre—and her stories just so happen to deliver the perfect foundation for a truly exceptional audio experience. In And Then There Were None, 10 strangers are invited to an isolated island off the coast of England, lured by promises ranging from job offers to a complimentary summer vacation. Before long, it seems something ominous is at play, as they’re slowly picked off in the cruelest fashion, one-by-one. You may know narrator Dan Stevens as Matthew from Downton Abbey or the beast in the live-action adaptation of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. This talented actor is also a prolific audiobook narrator, and his expertise is evident in his performance of a Christie classic widely recognized as one of the best mysteries of all time.

The Alienist

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Set in New York City during the Gilded Age, Caleb Carr's The Alienist is a mystery with big, colorful characters to match its atmosphere. In an era when psychologists are viewed with skepticism, or worse, one such alienist is secretly enlisted by the police commissioner to work with his trusted secretary and a respected reporter to investigate the brutal murder of a young male prostitute. The quest takes them deep into the city's flashy criminal underground, replete with gin mills and sharp-dressed gangsters, and even deeper into the mind of a sinister killer. Audie Award winner George Guidall narrates this psychological thriller with precision pacing and appropriate drama, keeping listeners riveted.

Sherlock Holmes

Arthur Conan Doyle, Stephen Fry - introductions

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From his first appearance in 1887, Sherlock Holmes has been a favorite of sleuth enthusiasts—it just wouldn’t be a best mystery list without him. This comprehensive collection of the legendary detective’s exploits, featuring classic tales from A Study in Scarlet to "His Last Bow," is performed by the singularly talented English actor, writer, director, and comedian Stephen Fry. His narration accentuates the wry humor of Arthur Conan Doyle’s writing while maintaining the suspense integral to each plot. Even if you’ve read these stories countless times, Fry’s performance makes them feel entirely new. And since the collection is broken up by each individual mystery, it’s perfect for either a long night in or satisfying listening in short spurts.

The Ruin

Dervla McTiernan

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Detective Cormac Reilly closed the case on the drug overdose of Hilaria Blake more than 20 years ago, but he never forgot her two children. When her son Jack is found dead in the river that flows through Galway, he starts to question whether either of their deaths was an accident. And when Jack’s sister Maude shows up, matters only complicate further. Set in a small Irish town that's far from idyllic, The Ruin is the first novel in Dervla McTiernan's bestselling Cormac Reilly series. An Irish narrator—the excellent Aoife McMahon—brings the story's setting and characters fully to life, immersing listeners in Reilly's quest to sort out a tangled web of deception, corruption, lies, and murder.

Happiness Falls (Good Morning America Book Club)

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Award-winning author Angie Kim blends heart-pounding suspense with layered family drama like no one else. In her follow-up to Miracle Creek, she's crafted a flawless missing person story and a moving character study of an American family on the brink of crisis. As a mother, daughter, and son reckon with the disappearance of their husband and father, the secrets they've been keeping from each other—and themselves—threaten to undo them. Three talented narrators give performances that highlight the differences in each family member's experience, heightening the tension.

The Book of Night Women

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Marlon James became the first Jamaican author to win the prestigious Man Booker Prize in 2015. His debut novel tells the story of Lilith, a girl born into slavery on a sugar plantation, who challenges her lot in life with a group called the Night Women—and in the process, gradually discovers her own dark power. Driven by dangerous secrets, jealous rivalries, and inhuman violence, The Book of Night Women is difficult to listen to at times. Yet Robin Miles’s performance brings the characters and their world vividly to life. Deftly switching between voices and accents for each character, her narration makes this intriguing mystery sound like a full-cast drama spanning the range of human emotions.

Moriarty

Charles Kindinger

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In this Audible Original, the whole world of Sherlock Holmes gets turned on its head. Dominic Monaghan stars as James Moriarty, who, in this version, isn't an evil professor with a vendetta against an innocent man. Instead, Moriarty is a fugitive who has been framed for murder and is simply trying to survive long enough to escape the people hunting him. With plenty of twists, impressive special effects, and an outstanding cast including Billy Boyd and Phil Lamar, this action- and surprise-packed reinterpretation of one of the world's most notorious villains is a thrilling listen.

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Devil in a Blue Dress

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Walter Mosley’s debut novel, Devil in a Blue Dress launched his successful Easy Rawlins mystery series. In Los Angeles, 1948, it's tough to find work and Black war veteran Easy Rawlins is jobless and broke. He stops for a drink when a white man walks into the bar and offers him a job—tracking down Daphne Money, the mistress of a wealthy politician. Desperate to pay his mortgage, Rawlins sets off on his new career as a private eye, searching for the mysterious blonde beauty in the world of jazz clubs and gangsters. This sharp, simmering mystery is only further enhanced by the performance of accomplished actor Michael Boatman, who voices Easy’s character with a relaxed, genial tone, making him immediately likable.

Her Royal Spyness

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Rhys Bowen, a prolific author with both an Agatha and an Edgar, among numerous awards, to her name, is known for her cozy, romantic, tongue-in-cheek mysteries. In Her Royal Spyness, she tells the story of Georgie, a woman 34th in line to the throne whose royal connections extend to both having tea with and spying for Her Majesty the Queen. When Georgie finds a body in her bathtub, her life is totally upended, and intrigue ensues. This colorful tale is an absolute standout thanks to the performance of Katherine Kellgren. An Audie Award winner named to Audible's Narrator Hall of Fame, Kellgren seamlessly takes on various accents, from British to Scottish, in a clear but expressive style. The pairing of Bowen and Kellgren has been described as magic, the perfect combination to craft a charmingly mesmerizing listen.

The Violin Conspiracy

Brendan Slocumb

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This beguiling mystery is set in the surprisingly cutthroat world of classical music. Ray McMillian is a Black violinist determined to live out his dream of being a professional musician despite the obstacles he faces along the way. He's delighted when he realizes the old family fiddle he's been playing is actually a renowned Stradivarius violin—until it's stolen the night before his biggest competition yet. Narrator J.D. Jackson effortlessly ratchets up the tension as Ray races to recover his stolen instrument before it's too late.

Their Lost Daughters

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Joy Ellis’s Their Lost Daughters begins with the shocking, perplexing discovery of a wandering teenage girl, lost on a beach. Nearby, a drowned girl surfaces on the shore. What’s more, this isn’t the first time this has happened. It’s up to detectives Rowan Jackman and Marie Evans to unearth the secrets behind this unsettling mystery and ensure justice is served. Richard Armitage, an actor known for his roles in the British television series North & South and The Hobbit franchise, brings his experience from the screen to effortlessly voice the cast of characters as they set out to connect the past to the present. His varying dialects support this rich narrative by making each character unique and easy to distinguish, so you can stay on top of each twist and turn.

Rebecca

Daphné du Maurier

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Daphne du Maurier's classic novel is a Gothic mystery with elements of romance in the tradition of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. First published in 1938, Rebecca was an immediate bestseller and has never gone out of print. While the story starts off with a passion in Monte Carlo, where our heroine meets the dashing widower Maxim de Winter, the honeymoon abruptly ends when she arrives at her new home, Manderley, and is haunted by her husband’s first wife. From an eerie mansion to a foreboding housekeeper, Rebecca hits all the right notes to draw you in and keep you transfixed. With her authentic English accent, Anna Massey is the ideal narrator for this tale and its setting and characters. Her voice adapts seamlessly to each twisted scenario, crafting a tense and unsettling tone.

Mississippi Blood

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Mississippi Blood is the final chapter in Greg Iles’s Penn Cage series, picking up as Cage is at his lowest. With his father on trial for murder, Cage begins to learn long-buried family secrets of unfathomable violence and racism. Hall of Fame narrator Scott Brick is the fifth to lend his talents to the series and certainly among the best. Brick’s voice quivers with fear and resounds with experience, encapsulating the mystery genre with its eerie, unsettling pace. His narration makes you eager to fly through the rest of the story, turning up your audio speed to hear more. But Brick’s skilled performance makes it worth the thorough, methodical delivery of the final act in this trilogy.

Bluebird, Bluebird

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Attica Locke is a master of suspense in about a dozen different ways. Her work is urgent and provocative, asking big questions about American politics and history, but never at the expense of a good story. In Bluebird, Bluebird, Texas Ranger Darren Wilson reluctantly returns home to work on a murder case—one that almost ends with him getting killed. Like all her work, this novel is infused with a distinct sense of place—the small towns and rural backcountry of East Texas. Having the accomplished J.D. Jackson voice it all only adds to the story's authenticity and impact.

In the Woods

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Tana French's debut thriller is a must-listen for fans of Stephen King or Lee Child. In the Woods tells a tale of three children lost in the woods, and only one returns. Two decades later, that child becomes a detective in Dublin, keeping his shadowy past behind him—that is, until he is forced to address it head on when another child is found murdered in the same woods. His journey back in time as he looks for answers in the present is brought to conflicted, thoughtful life by the performance of veteran narrator Steven Crossley, whose crisp English accent and background in drama craft a rich, immersive experience. In the Woods won an Edgar Award and launched French's acclaimed Dublin Murder Squad series.

A Study in Scarlet Women

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Narrator Kate Reading gives a triumphant performance of Sherry Thomas's wonderful Sherlock Holmes reimagining. Her portrayal of the fiery, smart, and endlessly resourceful Charlotte, along with her talent for unique character voices, will delight listeners. Charlotte Holmes has never cared much for Victorian norms and expectations, but when she finds herself cast out of society and onto the street, she has to learn to fend for herself, fast. Her world changes forever when London is rocked by three sudden deaths, and her father and sister come under suspicion. With a case to solve and the family name to clear, Charlotte comes into her own. And she'll need to use all the skill and knowledge she possesses to find the true killer.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

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What makes The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley so unique is the detective on the case—an 11-year-old girl named Flavia de Luce. In the summer of 1950, Flavia is immersed in her fascination with chemistry, particularly as it applies to poison. When a man falls dead on the grounds of her family estate, the precocious young sleuth is the first one on the case. A character so surprising and different for the genre, Flavia de Luce is enlivened by Odyssey Award winner Jayne Entwistle, who perfectly captures this heroine's spirit in her narration, while keeping her voice sounding natural and genuine. Her inflections mark the curiosity of the child telling the story, but she remains serious as Flavia ponders the evidence. Together, Bradley and Entwistle tell the story of a young detective’s first case as she sets out to prove her father’s innocence in the wake of accusations of murder.

The Frozen River

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Set in Maine, 1789, Ariel Lawhon's novel gives voice to a remarkable woman—and real-life heroine. Martha Ballard is a nurse and midwife who sees everything that goes on in town and writes it all down in her diary. When a man's body is found in the frozen Kennebec River, Martha immediately knows he's been murdered. But town officials won't take her seriously, so she's forced to pursue the dangerous truth on her own. Filled with lush historical details and set against a brutally beautiful winter landscape, The Frozen River is a moving account of a woman determined to forge her own path, no matter the consequences, narrated by the talented Jane Oppenheimer.

A Painted House: A Novel

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Bestselling author John Grisham is well-known for his legal thrillers. A mystery set in rural Arkansas, A Painted House is a nice departure from his norm. Told from the perspective of seven-year-old Luke Chandler, the story takes listeners on a journey to a quaint little house on a rented cotton field. When harvest season arrives, the Chandlers hire a truckload of migrant workers and a family of hill people to help them haul in the season’s bales. What starts as a simple month of harvesting turns grueling and then sinister as the workers battle rain, the heat, and each other—and as Luke keeps more and more secrets to himself. This story is complemented by David Landsbury’s easygoing, relaxed performance, charged with the emotion and curiosity of our young protagonist and narrator.

The Big Sleep

Raymond Chandler

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A pulp hit from the late 1930s, The Big Sleep introduced the world to private eye Philip Marlowe, a shrewd, heroic figure who knows his way around the backstreets of Los Angeles. When Marlowe is hired by the Sternwood family to put an end to some nasty blackmail, he stumbles over a corpse and finds himself in the middle of a murder plot that keeps getting more complicated. The Big Sleep was turned into a classic noir film in 1946, and narrator Scott Brick is the perfect performer to capture the same hard-drinking, wise-cracking presence that Humphrey Bogart brought to the character of Philip Marlowe. A staple of the genre, Chandler’s classic packs a wholly captivating mystery inside deliciously-written layers of LA history and character, all of which make for an altogether engrossing experience.

Lavender House

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Some mysteries are loud, and some are quieter. Lavender House falls into the quiet camp, and it's perfect for anyone looking for a riveting story without a lot of violence and gore. It's 1952 in San Francisco, and Andy Mills has just been fired from the police force after being caught in a raid on a gay bar. He has no idea what to do next when he's approached by the matriarch of a wealthy queer family, who wants him to find out who murdered her wife. As Andy is drawn deeper into this unusual family's orbit, he slowly begins to imagine a life for himself beyond the one of fear and hiding he's always known. Vikas Adam narrates this slow-burn character study with the perfect mix of emotional intensity and cool detachment.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

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Listeners who love immersive historical fiction and character-driven mysteries will delight in James McBride's superb world-building and attention to detail in this big-hearted novel. Set in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, in the 1970s, the story traces the intertwined lives of the Jewish and African American residents of the Chicken Hill neighborhood. When construction begins on a new development and reveals a skeleton in an old well, these tight-knit communities must come together to keep each other safe. Seasoned narrator Dominic Hoffman gives a spirited performance that brings every unique character in The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store to life.

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Mystery & Thriller