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Even if the mystery genre isn’t typically your thing, it can be a hard genre to resist when the plot twists and cliffhangers are just that good. Historically speaking, what might have been shocking or groundbreaking in centuries past might no longer shake the earth of today—which is why recommending classics of mystery to readers can be a tricky game. Agatha Christie is great and all, but sometimes modern readers are looking for just a little more edge.
And the proof is in the pudding—detective and mystery novels, along with thrillers, are still published in high numbers with each passing year, signaling there is an appetite for modern mysteries. But what do you recommend to someone who’s tired of the same mystery classics that appear on every list? Or someone who has read every Agatha Christie or true crime classic there is to be read? The truth is that more diverse options of mystery novels are harder to find in a genre that’s dominated by the narratives of cis-het white men. But never fear: I have compiled this list of three overrated mystery classics that you can probably skip if you haven’t read them already, and three other books you can check out to complement your taste.
Overrated Classic #1:
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
A Victorian Gothic classic, The Woman in White is often among the most recommended classic mystery and horror titles. Its claim to fame is popularizing the concept of sensationalism in Victorian literature, as well as being one of the first noted examples of combining Gothic horror with psychological realism. The story itself is not bad, but so many other pieces of literature have borrowed tropes from it—like dark and stormy nights in the English countryside, for one—that The Woman in White has kind of been done to death at this point, no pun intended.
What to Read Instead:
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
In Sara Waters’ historical fiction novel Fingersmith, we’re introduced to Sue Trinder, an orphan left in the care of the mysterious Mrs. Sucksby. The woman’s house also happens to be the home of a notorious family of petty thieves cleverly known as fingersmiths. When Gentleman, an elusive fingersmith and con man, proposes a plan to Sue to make her rich and pay back Mrs. Sucksby for all she’s done for her, it’s an offer she can’t refuse. Together, Gentleman and Sue plan to scheme the wealthy Maud Lilly out of her inheritance and have her declared mad and thrown in an asylum. But when Sue comes to care for Maud, things start to go off the rails.
Overrated Classic #2:
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
While In Cold Blood rightfully holds its legacy as the grandfather of the nonfiction novel in the literary sphere, it’s also one of the most overrated true crime books… probably because it was one of the first ever true crime books. Truman Capote investigates the 1958 murders of the Clutter family in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas. The author became so obsessed with the case and repeatedly interviewed the perpetrators, going so far as to attend the execution of one of them. Through a modern lens, the story told in In Cold Blood is nothing to really shake a stick at. In our current media landscape that is littered with true crime at every turn, In Cold Blood’s narrative is unimpressive.
What to Read Instead:
No Place Safe by Kim Reid
In this blend of true crime and memoir, author Kim Reid investigates the events of the summer of 1979 in Atlanta, Georgia. While taking care of her younger sister as her single mother works as a cop, a discovery on a quiet road takes the news by storm. Reid’s mother instructs her daughters to be careful. All Reid ever wanted to worry about was boys, makeup, and starting high school, but she will soon learn that there is no safe place from the horrors of the world. Trying to make sense of herself and the tragedies that plague mankind as a young Black girl attending a wealthy white school, the author grapples with racism, systemic violence, and the end of childhood.
Overrated Classic #3:
The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
The first in a long line of mystery thriller novels by Michael Connelly, The Lincoln Lawyer has already been adapted twice for the screen—once as a feature film starring Matthew McConaughey in 2011, and as a Netflix series helmed by David E. Kelley, currently awaiting its fourth season. While it’s not a bad book series, it presents a very male-dominated world and perspective written primarily for an audience of cis-het white men. In short, there are so many more diverse options when it comes to reading mystery thrillers. Connelly’s novels just tend to present a rather singular view of the American justice system.
What to Read Instead:
All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Crosby
As the first Black sheriff in the history of Charon County, Virginia, Titus Crown has already faced his fair share of setbacks and hurdles. Even though there have only been two murders in the last two decades in the county, Crown’s history as an FBI agent has taught him that there is always more to discover lurking just beneath the surface of a town. A year into his term as sheriff, a former student kills his teacher, and the student is shot dead by one of Crown’s officers. Faced with yet another instance of systemic racism, Crown looks beneath the veneer of small-town America to find a serial killer that has been hiding under Charon County’s nose for quite some time. To make matters worse, Crown is at odds with a paralyzing personal secret, and far-right activists in the county are planning a parade to celebrate its Confederate history. While Crown knows he can’t always change minds or hearts, he can stop a killer from striking again.
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This week, we’re highlighting a post that asks: Are reading parties the next big thing? People—especially readers—are clearly looking for community. Are reading parties the answer? Read on for an excerpt and become an All Access member to unlock the full post.
Reading communities are everywhere online. From Storygraph to Fable to BookTube to BookTok, the growth of online reading buddies feels exponential. The problem with social media as it exists online, however, is that it’s a stand-in for the true connections we all seek over the things we love. As much as reading roundups and reading tracking can be fun, meeting up with in-person book lovers is a great book lover community event. With that in mind, reading parties could be the next big thing.
A reading party is distinct from a book club because everyone shows up to read instead of having read something to discuss. At a reading party, you can make time to discuss what you are reading, but it doesn’t all need to be the same book. It’s more of a reading vibe check than a book discussion.
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