Conan-Doyle's Sherlock Holmes particularly The Speckled Band and the Sign of Four. Any of Raymond Chandler's Phillip Marlowe stories particularly the Long Goodbye. The novels you've mentioned here by Allingham, Christie and James. James is the most realistic of that lot. You're right there are too many too list all of them.
Readers of classic literature often ten to look down upon murder mysteries and thrillers but they can be just as well crafted, illuminating, atmospheric and enjoyable as the most highly regarded masterpieces. There's a whole world to discover in their creative mysteries and thrills from all over the world.
It is so refreshing to see someone talking about real literature regardless of genre! You mentioned a few I have not read but now really want to read! Thank you!
I couldn't name a favorite murder mystery. I can probably name my favorite Agatha Christies, though, which are The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and Murder on the Orient Express, which are both examples of Christie bending the conventions of the mystery novel until they break. She was a great experimentalist. (Oh, and throw in And Then There Were None, too).
Lousie Penny and Robert Galbraith are my modern guilty pleasure. I get so sucked in. But I adore Dorothy Sayers! Gaudy Night is my favorite, but I also loved Murder Must Advertise and Busman's Honeymoon.
I don't read a lot of mysteries these days because I have never found anyone as good as P.D. James. Her books are more like novels that happen to contain a murder. Her writing and the complexity of her characters are unparalled. And I have had a crush on Adam Dalgleish for 40 years. But you have inspired me to try some of these other books.
Another great list, thank you! I thought I'd read all of the Agatha Christies, but Cards on the Table doesn't sound familiar at all. So maybe I have a new Christie for Christmas! I discovered Ellis Peters a while ago and just love them.😊
The detective in "The Yellow Room" is Rouletabille, pronounced about "rule-ta-BEE". It is a funny name which means "roll your head", slang for "use your noggin".
Hello Tristan, I discovered your channel only 6 days ago. A happenstance. I was teaching English language and literature for thirty years and 6 months in a college. After retiring in March this year, reading has become my priority. You have helped me to explore hidden nuances in the classics, fixate on things that really matter " far from the madding crowd".I really plan to revisit the classics.Binge- watching your TBRs in the initial days really started meddling with my reading 🙂. By the way you have never discussed William Darlymple ? Lasitha Kerala India
Sadly, I've never found a mystery that I've actually enjoyed. I'm not sure why. Maybe I don't know enough about the victim to have created strong enough feelings about the victim? Do you have one to recommend to someone like me? Thanks.❤
"Death of an author" sounds awfully familiar, even the plot intro you gave but I cannot remember if I read that and could not have remembered the name of it's author. ( A crazy thing happened to me over 20 years ago when I was only in my 20s that I saw a TV movie and the plot seemed oddly familiar but it was only towards the end that I realized I had actually read the book some years (not that long maybe 5) ago but completely forgotten about it! This was by the Swiss Friedrich Dürrenmatt, a "serious" author who nevertheless wrote a handful of mysteries.) Of PD James I have read a handful so far and I have to agree with her that that first one is probably the worst of them. It's well written but I found several elements, including the main conceit and the solution utterly implausible. I also read the Mystery of the Yellow room but none of the others.
Tell me, what murder mysteries do you love?
Conan-Doyle's Sherlock Holmes particularly The Speckled Band and the Sign of Four. Any of Raymond Chandler's Phillip Marlowe stories particularly the Long Goodbye. The novels you've mentioned here by Allingham, Christie and James. James is the most realistic of that lot. You're right there are too many too list all of them.
The Thursday Murder Club.
It is drama, but I loved Sleuth! Excited to give these a read, thank you!
Nancy Drew & The Hardy Boys, but that was about 55 years ago that I was reading them.
Readers of classic literature often ten to look down upon murder mysteries and thrillers but they can be just as well crafted, illuminating, atmospheric and enjoyable as the most highly regarded masterpieces. There's a whole world to discover in their creative mysteries and thrills from all over the world.
It is so refreshing to see someone talking about real literature regardless of genre! You mentioned a few I have not read but now really want to read! Thank you!
As a mystery lover, you have given me some new mysteries to read! I am making my list of new books to look forward to!
Hello Tristan, please do more of the murder mysteries… wonderful video!
Thanks Peggy
I couldn't name a favorite murder mystery. I can probably name my favorite Agatha Christies, though, which are The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and Murder on the Orient Express, which are both examples of Christie bending the conventions of the mystery novel until they break. She was a great experimentalist. (Oh, and throw in And Then There Were None, too).
This was so exciting. I am all tuned up for finding murderers everywhere. 😊.Thank you Tristan, you are terrific.
Lousie Penny and Robert Galbraith are my modern guilty pleasure. I get so sucked in. But I adore Dorothy Sayers! Gaudy Night is my favorite, but I also loved Murder Must Advertise and Busman's Honeymoon.
Murder mysteries aren't typically my fave, but shoot, these all sound great.
I'm the same with sci-fi. Of the ones here though, I'd recommend maybe Double Indemnity or Morality Play. 😀
The Crime at Black Dudley and Double Indemnity sound like a lot of fun. Added them to my Christmas list!
Thank you. Some new authors to explore 🎉
I don't read a lot of mysteries these days because I have never found anyone as good as P.D. James. Her books are more like novels that happen to contain a murder. Her writing and the complexity of her characters are unparalled. And I have had a crush on Adam Dalgleish for 40 years. But you have inspired me to try some of these other books.
Another great list, thank you! I thought I'd read all of the Agatha Christies, but Cards on the Table doesn't sound familiar at all. So maybe I have a new Christie for Christmas!
I discovered Ellis Peters a while ago and just love them.😊
The detective in "The Yellow Room" is Rouletabille, pronounced about "rule-ta-BEE". It is a funny name which means "roll your head", slang for "use your noggin".
Thanks for that. Great meaning too. 😀❤️
Great suggestions Tristan, you are the best book reviewer. I took note of all your suggestions minus the Unsworth novel which I have read. Thank you.
This is a really interesting list, thanks!
Surprised I don't have Morality Play yet; you sold me on it quite some time ago. Will be my next purchase. [NOW I own it.]
Hello Tristan, I discovered your channel only 6 days ago. A happenstance. I was teaching English language and literature for thirty years and 6 months in a college. After retiring in March this year, reading has become my priority. You have helped me to explore hidden nuances in the classics, fixate on things that really matter " far from the madding crowd".I really plan to revisit the classics.Binge- watching your TBRs in the initial days really started meddling with my reading 🙂. By the way you have never discussed William Darlymple ?
Lasitha
Kerala
India
I found Agatha Christie late in life. So well done.
I read Morality Play at your suggestion and absolutely loved it. It was one of my favorite reads in 2024. Thank you.
I'm so glad! It was so much fun.
What a list!
I read A Study in Scarlett on your recommendation and I absolutely loved it!
What a superb book. So glad you enjoyed it. Sign of the four, scandal in bohemia, are also very good.
@ I have the Sign of Four. It’s been on my tbr forever. I’m reading David Copperfield right now! So it’s now next up! 😊
I'm currently reading Morality Play because of your past recommendation. I am enjoying it!
Hope you enjoy it!
I read Morality Play years ago and had forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder! Now I’m going to read it again!!
Thanks so much.. I'm looking forward to reading some of these 😊
Please do!
I love murder mysteries, Tristan. Thank you. I think I want to try Gallows Thief and the Poirot mystery.
I love Gallows Thief.
There are a few there I fancy. Tokyo Express sounds great. ❤
It really is!
Sadly, I've never found a mystery that I've actually enjoyed. I'm not sure why. Maybe I don't know enough about the victim to have created strong enough feelings about the victim? Do you have one to recommend to someone like me? Thanks.❤
"Death of an author" sounds awfully familiar, even the plot intro you gave but I cannot remember if I read that and could not have remembered the name of it's author.
( A crazy thing happened to me over 20 years ago when I was only in my 20s that I saw a TV movie and the plot seemed oddly familiar but it was only towards the end that I realized I had actually read the book some years (not that long maybe 5) ago but completely forgotten about it! This was by the Swiss Friedrich Dürrenmatt, a "serious" author who nevertheless wrote a handful of mysteries.)
Of PD James I have read a handful so far and I have to agree with her that that first one is probably the worst of them. It's well written but I found several elements, including the main conceit and the solution utterly implausible. I also read the Mystery of the Yellow room but none of the others.