Best Whodunit Books

The highest-rated books featuring the Whodunit trope, ranked by readers and listeners. Browse 50 titles across Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy.

Read more

Whodunits are built on a fundamental appeal: the promise that all the pieces are there, hidden in plain sight, waiting for you to connect them. There's genuine pleasure in being misled, in suspecting the wrong person, in that moment when a seemingly throwaway detail suddenly becomes the lynchpin of the whole puzzle. You're not just following a story—you're competing against it, trying to solve the mystery before the final pages reveal who did it. The tension comes from knowing a crime happened and watching the investigator (and you) narrow down possibilities, each interview or clue shifting the odds.

You'll find whodunits across mystery and thriller shelves, from cozy village murders to high-stakes heists, from classic parlor mysteries to contemporary locked-room puzzles. What unites them is the central architecture: a crime, multiple suspects with motive and opportunity, and a detective methodically—or chaotically—working toward the truth. Some offer fair-play puzzles where you genuinely could solve it first; others prioritize momentum and psychological suspense. Either way, expect misdirection, red herrings, and that addictive compulsion to flip ahead just one more chapter to see if you were right.

  1. 1
    Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection cover

    Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection

    Sherlock Holmes • Book 1

    by Arthur Conan Doyle, Stephen Fry - introductions

    ★ 4.97 BLT Score (217.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.51 Goodreads (217.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  2. 2
    The complete Sherlock Holmes cover

    The complete Sherlock Holmes

    Sherlock Holmes #1-9

    by Arthur Conan Doyle

    ★ 4.82 BLT Score (217.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.51 Goodreads (217.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  3. 3
    Survivor in Death cover

    Survivor in Death

    In Death • Book 20

    by J.D. Robb, Nora Roberts

    ★ 4.75 BLT Score (35.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.42 Goodreads (35.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  4. 4
    Seduction in Death cover

    Seduction in Death

    In Death • Book 13

    by J.D. Robb

    ★ 4.70 BLT Score (33.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.35 Goodreads (33.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  5. 5
    And Then There Were None cover

    And Then There Were None

    by Agatha Christie

    ★ 4.69 BLT Score (1.6M ratings)
    ★ 4.27 Goodreads (1.6M)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  6. 6
    Born in Death cover

    Born in Death

    In Death • Book 23

    by J.D. Robb, Nora Roberts

    ★ 4.69 BLT Score (32.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.38 Goodreads (32.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  7. 7
    The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo cover

    The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

    Millennium Series • Book 1

    by Stieg Larsson

    ★ 4.67 BLT Score (3.5M ratings)
    ★ 4.18 Goodreads (3.5M)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  8. 8
    Divided in Death cover

    Divided in Death

    In Death • Book 18

    by J.D. Robb, Nora Roberts

    ★ 4.67 BLT Score (33.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.36 Goodreads (33.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  9. 9
    Murder on the Orient Express cover

    Murder on the Orient Express

    A Hercule Poirot Mystery • Book 10

    by Agatha Christie

    ★ 4.67 BLT Score (741.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.2 Goodreads (741.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  10. 10
    The Murder of Roger Ackroyd cover

    The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

    Hercule Poirot • Book 4

    by Agatha Christie

    ★ 4.64 BLT Score (354.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.26 Goodreads (354.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  11. 11
    Strangers in Death cover

    Strangers in Death

    In Death • Book 26

    by J.D. Robb

    ★ 4.63 BLT Score (30.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.33 Goodreads (30.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  12. 12
    Hercule Poirot cover

    Hercule Poirot

    Hercule Poirot #0.1-0.51

    by Agatha Christie

    ★ 4.62 BLT Score (10.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.36 Goodreads (10.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  13. 13
    Payback in Death cover

    Payback in Death

    In Death • Book 57

    by J.D. Robb

    ★ 4.61 BLT Score (26.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.46 Goodreads (26.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  14. 14
    Festive in Death cover

    Festive in Death

    In Death • Book 39

    by J.D. Robb

    ★ 4.60 BLT Score (27.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.33 Goodreads (27.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  15. 15
    Witness in Death cover

    Witness in Death

    In Death • Book 10

    by J.D. Robb

    ★ 4.60 BLT Score (37.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.33 Goodreads (37.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  16. 16
    Secrets in Death cover

    Secrets in Death

    In Death • Book 45

    by J.D. Robb

    ★ 4.58 BLT Score (25.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.33 Goodreads (25.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  17. 17
    Indulgence in Death cover

    Indulgence in Death

    In Death • Book 31

    by J.D. Robb

    ★ 4.58 BLT Score (30.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.36 Goodreads (30.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  18. 18
    Junkyard Dogs cover

    Junkyard Dogs

    Walt Longmire • Book 6

    by Craig Johnson

    ★ 4.58 BLT Score (21.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.26 Goodreads (21.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  19. 19
    Thud! cover

    Thud!

    Discworld • Book 34

    by Terry Pratchett

    ★ 4.56 BLT Score (79.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.36 Goodreads (79.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  20. 20
    Salvation in Death cover

    Salvation in Death

    In Death • Book 27

    by J.D. Robb

    ★ 4.54 BLT Score (28.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.29 Goodreads (28.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  21. 21
    Calculated in Death cover

    Calculated in Death

    In Death • Book 36

    by J.D. Robb

    ★ 4.54 BLT Score (28.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.3 Goodreads (28.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  22. 22
    Trunk Music cover

    Trunk Music

    Harry Bosch • Book 5

    by Michael Connelly

    ★ 4.53 BLT Score (78.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.22 Goodreads (78.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  23. 23
    Death Without Company cover

    Death Without Company

    Walt Longmire • Book 2

    by Craig Johnson

    ★ 4.53 BLT Score (28.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.22 Goodreads (28.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  24. 24
    Sycamore Row cover

    Sycamore Row

    Jake Brigance • Book 2

    by John Grisham

    ★ 4.53 BLT Score (141.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.1 Goodreads (141.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  25. 25
    Concealed in Death cover

    Concealed in Death

    In Death • Book 38

    by J.D. Robb

    ★ 4.53 BLT Score (27.5K ratings)
    ★ 4.33 Goodreads (27.5K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  26. 26
    Celebrity in Death cover

    Celebrity in Death

    In Death • Book 34

    by J.D. Robb

    ★ 4.52 BLT Score (30.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.33 Goodreads (30.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  27. 27
    Encore in Death cover

    Encore in Death

    In Death • Book 56

    by J.D. Robb

    ★ 4.51 BLT Score (25.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.4 Goodreads (25.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  28. 28
    Los hermanos Karam??zov / The Brothers Karamazov cover

    Los hermanos Karam??zov / The Brothers Karamazov

    by Fyodor Dostoevsky

    ★ 4.49 BLT Score (394.3K ratings)
    ★ 4.39 Goodreads (394.3K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  29. 29
    The Dark Wind cover

    The Dark Wind

    Leaphorn & Chee • Book 5

    by Tony Hillerman

    ★ 4.44 BLT Score (12.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.14 Goodreads (12.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  30. 30
    What Remains of Heaven cover

    What Remains of Heaven

    Sebastian St. Cyr • Book 5

    by C.S. Harris

    ★ 4.44 BLT Score (9.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.24 Goodreads (9.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  31. 31
    Five Little Pigs cover

    Five Little Pigs

    Hercule Poirot • Book 24

    by Agatha Christie

    ★ 4.43 BLT Score (94.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.03 Goodreads (94.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  32. 32
    The A.B.C. Murders cover

    The A.B.C. Murders

    Hercule Poirot • Book 13

    by Agatha Christie

    ★ 4.43 BLT Score (205.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.03 Goodreads (205.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  33. 33
    Feet of Clay cover

    Feet of Clay

    Discworld • Book 19

    by Terry Pratchett

    ★ 4.43 BLT Score (93.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.33 Goodreads (93.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  34. 34
    When Maidens Mourn cover

    When Maidens Mourn

    Sebastian St. Cyr • Book 7

    by C.S. Harris

    ★ 4.42 BLT Score (8.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.24 Goodreads (8.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  35. 35
    Cold Blood cover

    Cold Blood

    Detective Erika Foster • Book 5

    by Robert Bryndza

    ★ 4.42 BLT Score (18.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.25 Goodreads (18.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  36. 36
    Who Speaks for the Damned cover

    Who Speaks for the Damned

    Sebastian St. Cyr • Book 15

    by C.S. Harris

    ★ 4.42 BLT Score (5.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.31 Goodreads (5.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  37. 37
    Peril at End House cover

    Peril at End House

    Hercule Poirot • Book 8

    by Agatha Christie

    ★ 4.41 BLT Score (84.6K ratings)
    ★ 4.02 Goodreads (84.6K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  38. 38
    Where Shadows Dance cover

    Where Shadows Dance

    Sebastian St. Cyr • Book 6

    by C.S. Harris

    ★ 4.41 BLT Score (9.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.26 Goodreads (9.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  39. 39
    Where Serpents Sleep cover

    Where Serpents Sleep

    Sebastian St. Cyr • Book 4

    by C.S. Harris

    ★ 4.40 BLT Score (10.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.25 Goodreads (10.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  40. 40
    The Silkworm cover

    The Silkworm

    Cormoran Strike • Book 2

    by Robert Galbraith, J.K. Rowling

    ★ 4.40 BLT Score (296.4K ratings)
    ★ 4.05 Goodreads (296.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  41. 41
    Cards on the Table cover

    Cards on the Table

    Hercule Poirot • Book 15

    by Agatha Christie

    ★ 4.39 BLT Score (73.8K ratings)
    ★ 3.96 Goodreads (73.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  42. 42
    Why Mermaids Sing cover

    Why Mermaids Sing

    Sebastian St. Cyr • Book 3

    by C.S. Harris

    ★ 4.38 BLT Score (11.0K ratings)
    ★ 4.19 Goodreads (11.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  43. 43
    Why Kings Confess cover

    Why Kings Confess

    Sebastian St. Cyr • Book 9

    by C.S. Harris

    ★ 4.38 BLT Score (7.2K ratings)
    ★ 4.26 Goodreads (7.2K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  44. 44
    Where the Dead Lie cover

    Where the Dead Lie

    Sebastian St. Cyr • Book 12

    by C.S. Harris

    ★ 4.37 BLT Score (5.8K ratings)
    ★ 4.29 Goodreads (5.8K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  45. 45
    Dumb Witness. The Agatha Christie Collection. cover

    Dumb Witness. The Agatha Christie Collection.

    Hercule Poirot • Book 17

    by Agatha Christie

    ★ 4.37 BLT Score (49.4K ratings)
    ★ 3.92 Goodreads (49.4K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  46. 46
    The Heavens May Fall cover

    The Heavens May Fall

    Detective Max Rupert • Book 3

    by Allen Eskens

    ★ 4.37 BLT Score (20.1K ratings)
    ★ 4.19 Goodreads (20.1K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  47. 47
    Poirot Investigates (Agatha Christie) cover

    Poirot Investigates (Agatha Christie)

    Hercule Poirot • Book 3

    by Agatha Christie

    ★ 4.36 BLT Score (76.0K ratings)
    ★ 3.88 Goodreads (76.0K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  48. 48
    Moonflower Murders cover

    Moonflower Murders

    Susan Ryeland • Book 2

    by Anthony Horowitz

    ★ 4.36 BLT Score (66.9K ratings)
    ★ 4.06 Goodreads (66.9K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  49. 49
    The Murder on the Links cover

    The Murder on the Links

    Hercule Poirot • Book 2

    by Agatha Christie

    ★ 4.36 BLT Score (121.5K ratings)
    ★ 3.87 Goodreads (121.5K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →
  50. 50
    [The Murder at the Vicarage] [by: Agatha Christie] cover

    [The Murder at the Vicarage] [by: Agatha Christie]

    Miss Marple • Book 1

    by Agatha Christie

    ★ 4.35 BLT Score (216.7K ratings)
    ★ 4.04 Goodreads (216.7K)
    Get the Book → Start Listening →

Browse Related Lists

Whodunit Books Whodunit Audiobooks The Professional Detective Serial Killer Psychological Manipulation Missing Person Cold Case Domestic Thriller The Amateur Detective Kidnapping / Hostage Corporate / Financial Thriller The Red Herring The Cozy Mystery The Locked Room Mystery All Tropes

How We Rank Audiobooks

Rankings are driven by listener ratings and review counts from Audible and Goodreads. Books with high ratings across a large number of listeners rank higher — a 4.5 with 50,000 ratings says more than a 4.8 with 200.

Unlike most book lists, we weight audiobook-specific factors: narrator performance, production quality, and how well a story translates to audio. A great book with a poor narration isn't a great audiobook.

We don't accept paid placements or prioritize new releases. These rankings reflect what listeners actually enjoy, not what's being promoted.

Rankings update periodically as new ratings come in and new titles are added to the collection.

Read our full ranking methodology →