20th Century Detective Novels

Classic Mystery Novels of the 20th Century

The 20th century produced some of the most iconic mystery and detective novels, shaping the genre as we know it today. From hard-boiled detectives to intricate whodunits, these books remain must-reads for any fan of crime fiction.

Golden Age Detective Novels (1920s-1940s)

The Golden Age of Mystery introduced puzzle-like stories with brilliant detectives solving seemingly impossible crimes.

• The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926) – Agatha Christie
• The Maltese Falcon (1930) – Dashiell Hammett
• Murder on the Orient Express (1934) – Agatha Christie
• The Big Sleep (1939) – Raymond Chandler
• And Then There Were None (1939) – Agatha Christie

Hard-Boiled and Noir Mystery Novels (1940s-1960s)

The post-war era saw the rise of hard-boiled detectives and gritty crime stories, often set in urban landscapes with morally complex characters.

• Farewell, My Lovely (1940) – Raymond Chandler
• Strangers on a Train (1950) – Patricia Highsmith
• The Talented Mr. Ripley (1955) – Patricia Highsmith
• The Long Goodbye (1953) – Raymond Chandler
• The Chill (1964) – Ross Macdonald

Psychological and Modern Mystery Thrillers (1960s-1990s)

As the genre evolved, psychological mysteries and complex crime stories became popular, blurring the lines between detective fiction and thrillers.

• The Daughter of Time (1951) – Josephine Tey
• Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1974) – John le Carré
• Presumed Innocent (1987) – Scott Turow
• The Silence of the Lambs (1988) – Thomas Harris
• Along Came a Spider (1993) – James Patterson

Why 20th Century Detective Novels Are Essential Reads

The mystery genre of the 20th century influenced countless authors and continues to captivate readers today. Whether you prefer classic whodunits, noir fiction, or psychological thrillers, these books offer timeless suspense and masterful storytelling.