Mystery Books
recommended by mystery writers
Last updated: December 08, 2025
-

1
Beast in the Shadows
by Edogawa Rampo & Ian Hughes (translator) -

2
The Inugami Curse
by Seishi Yokomizo & Yumiko Yamazaki (translator) -

3
Points and Lines
by Paul C. Blum and Makiko Yamamoto (translators) & Seicho Matsumoto -

4
The Tokyo Zodiac Murders
by Ross and Shika Mackenzie (translators) & Soji Shimada -

5
All She Was Worth
by Alfred Birnbaum (translator) & Miyuki Miyabe
Best Classic Japanese Mysteries, recommended by On Nomoto
Best Classic Japanese Mysteries, recommended by On Nomoto
Crime novels are hugely popular in Japan, but English translations of Japanese mysteries not always easy to come by. As Pushkin Vertigo publishes translations of two novels by Seishi Yokomizo, one of Japan’s most famous mystery writers, his grandson, On Nomoto, talks us through the best classic Japanese mysteries of the last century.
Mysteries and Other Favourite Books, recommended by M C Beaton
North Scotland is wonderful countryside, a marvellous setting for a murder. The wind just screams from horizon to horizon – it’s like living in a speeded-up nature film. You open up the kitchen door and catch a passing sheep…
The Best Classic Christmas Mysteries, recommended by Caroline Crampton
Looking for a cosy mystery to settle down with in front of the fire this holiday season? Look no further. We asked Caroline Crampton, creator and host of the Shedunnit podcast, to recommend her favourite classic mystery books set during the Christmas period.





























