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Need a new book to read? Have a plot twist that left you reeling? Love to simply hoard a list of future book buys? Then this might be the post for you - Community Manager @Tiny here, looking for your help with our 7th Community Book Club reading list!
We received a wide range of LGBTQ+ reading recommendations last month: for July we’re asking for everyone’s most hair-raising mysteries.
At their core, many mysteries follow a crime from the moment it is committed to the moment it is solved. Be it a drawn-out murder mystery or a hunt for clues to chase down stolen treasure, these stories are riddled with red herrings to throw us off course. These perilous plots will take us down dark corridors of confusion and have us biting our nails as we turn the page.
Remember the rules, or your reading pick might not make it: ONE Title per comment to be eligible for the list and our exclusive Imgurian Librarian Trophy.
The plot may follow the perspective of a detective or private investigator tracking down a missing person, or perhaps a family member as they recover a forgotten past; solving or uncovering a secret is often a core component. Whether we get to learn alongside the main character or learn inside information along the way, piecing together the puzzle is part of the fun!
So share your favorite whodunit caper comic, detective story, or amateur sleuth series with us today!
I'm proud to present the top picks from last month: Community Book Club, 6th Edition: LGBTQ+ | Titles 1-23
These lists are community-driven, which means your upvotes count! See a title you love, ensure it’s spot on the list by upvoting it and others.
And the rest of the list for Community Book Club, 6th Edition: LGBTQ+ | Titles 24-50.
Good mysteries aren’t always wrought with words; graphic novels, manga, short stories, and series are all good at giving thrills and chills.
As always, submission time for the list will close in 48 hours, at 2 p.m. EST on 07/20/2025.
Happy Hoarding Book Wryms!
Vident99
The Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, It's the third book from their Pendergast series, but it can be read as an independent book. Personal favorite from the series by far.
UploaderChamp
The Rubber Band Boys by Rex Stout (all of his books tho)- A true whodunnit 1930s detective and perfect setting/ backdrop. So engrossing!
idrinkcheapbeer
"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" by Alexander McCall Smith
NeynasGhost
My mom adores those books, and if, like her, you're a voracious reader, well, AMS writes about fifty books a year so you might never be able to run out.
aslum
If you don't mind a bit of SF in your Mystery check out Connie Willis. Especially To Say Nothing of the Dog.
rosedahhling
And Then There Were None by the Queen of Mystery, Agatha Christie. I was blown away at the end!
BeerCir
Altered Carbon - Richard Morgan. Hardcore Sci-Fi whodunnit.
fancygiraph
Fun read.
WaxDragon
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle - By Stuart Turton
Was an interesting Groundhogs Day of a murder mystery, where each day he relived the murder through a different witness to garner new information. Found it fascinating even if the end was a little wilder than I imagined (which really I should've expected for someone jumping bodies to solve a murder)
Syiss
Turton's other books are also great, particularly The Devil and the Dark Water
TooCoolForZuul
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson The movies are good, but the book is fantastic.
lovejoyrat1
They’re door stoppers tho so bring snacks
pilomotor
"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon
fancygiraph
One of my favorite books of all time
warriorjugler
"The Cat Who" series by Lilian Jackson Braun is a nice read.
Tiny
I don't really read mysteries but I see this series all the time at my library and the covers are always so cute and cozy that they tempt me. Is there you one you'd recommend to start with or does it not matter?
warriorjugler
The Cat Who Could Read Backwards is the first of the series, and they do have a progressive story throughout them (MC moves to a new town during the series), but honestly each of them are good on their own.
TheEleventhHand
There are 26 books, I'd start at the beginning, it does kind of matter to the overall story progression as the main character goes through life. I would rank the series as fun, worth the time investment, and not too serious. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cat_Who...
TheEleventhHand
Err, 29 books, we need edit functions!
UploaderChamp
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz - Mystery within a mystery has me and my book club in a tizzy!
AgnesGooch
The Flavia DeLuce mysteries by Alan Bradley. 12 yo female chemistry prodigy main character, crumbling English manor house setting, espionage, and sibling rivalry. Delicious.
M4GNETR0N
And then there were none - Agatha Christie
MayorofPantstown
Just don't look up the original title of that book ... https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWE1NzM3M2U1dTh0anN5OGtuejR4c2w1bG1jenV3NHIyeWZmeXIzdjlrNjJ1ZWlnaiZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/l0HlvtIPzPdt2usKs/200w.webp
Coca08
I read this just a few days ago. Early 1900s stereotypes aside (seriously, how she writes about women is concerning) it was complex and engrossing.
NeynasGhost
I still remember one of her books where a war nurse laments how boring her small home town is and how she no longer wants to marry her farmer cousin....until he attempts to strangle her and then she's like "oh he's not so boring after all!"
NeynasGhost
Oh, and her horror short stories, where 80% of the horror is "Look! A NONWHITE PERSON!" and 10% is "okay they have actual evil magic....because THEY AREN'T WHITE".
DrFlukeHawkins
Should look up its original published title
Coca08
Oh, I'm quite aware. I was surprised though, when one of the characters defended the "savages" claiming "they're our brothers".
hanmerhack
I remember my book club tried to read that but for some reason one by one they all dropped out.
CardeasIV
textilelover
What you did there... I see it!
hanmerhack
Really enjoy the Stephanie Plum books. Comedy and mystery with fun and fascinating characters.
Iaimtomisbehave
"Cop Hater" by Ed Mcbain. ;-) https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/87th-precinct/
nichoDriver
The Shelock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle will always be my favorite mysteries
jeremiasbaguhinpascual
The Hound of the Baskerville is my favorite comeback adventure.
PacManDreaming
Yep. I don't really care for mystery novels, but the original Sherlock Holmes stories are on a different level.
rosedahhling
He's the King of Mystery, according to me!! I love him.
JimFromMarketing
There's a new podcast out where the short stories are all read with music and sound effects it's amazing
darthsimian771
Have you read Poe’s Dupin mysteries? They were a massive influence on Conan Doyle. They are a fascinating read.
ThoseRulesArentReal
Poe who wrote the original detective mystery novel; with such a bad ending that it’s often an accepted challenge to mystery writers to write a new answer to the famous murder which occurred inside a room with all the windows and doors locked
darthsimian771
That’s the one. Stylistically and character wise he was clearly a big influence. In no way am I saying it’s better Han Conan Doyle, but he certainly borrowed heavily from it.
jessmoviedrome
Everyone in My Family
Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
BitchinBotanist
Ink and Sigil by Kevin Hearne
Super underrated book - I love the world this trilogy is set in, the characters are quirky and it is a great read ❤️
DrPepper523
Have you read his other stuff? He's always a fun read, he's also got a newsletter and he'll tell ya what things he's working on and then always has a what's he reading section which is fun to find new books I'd never hear of otherwise
BitchinBotanist
Ooooo I have seen his other stuff and it’s on my tbr list but I didn’t know about the newsletter - thanks friend!
DrPepper523
Yeah I got an email from him today, with little snippets of wild birds he likes to take pics of and where he's doing signings and any other news for books or series. The Iron Druid Chronicles were the first I read of his and they're great. Sort of like an American Gods idea but following a druid that looks 21 buts like 2100. And his dog Oberon's commentary is hilarious.
BitchinBotanist
If I ever get an elk hound or similar dog I’m absolutely naming him Oberon…
DrPepper523
Right?! Such a good name for that kinda doggo
HarleenQuinzel4
A book that most people have probably never heard of, but is technically a mystery and a fun read:
Death by Theory: A Tale of Mystery and Archaeological Theory by Adrian Praetzellis
SidewalkWidflower
Tell me a bit more? This one sounds up my street!
constantlycravingpuppykisses
.
HarleenQuinzel4
It’s not rhe most thrilling mystery and is probably more about trying to teach archaeological theory. The book focuses on an archaeologist (Dr. Hannah Green) and her nephew as they investigate a burial site in the PNW. Due to a Venus figure being found there (an artifact that should not be found in that region), the site has gained a lot of attention. Dr. Green must uncover the truth of the site and how that Venus figure arrived there.
SidewalkWidflower
TY!
smashfaceawesome
.
TheLoraxis
.
jetact12
Curtain. Agatha Christie. Poirot's last case.
Thorketil
The Name of the Rose, by Umberto Eco
A historical murder mystery set in an Italian monastery in the 14th century.
The book was also made into a movie, starring Sean Connery. The film was good, but didn't quite match the book's finesse.
mariarocio
The murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie is excellent.
ThrowAwayAcct0000
This one! :)
mizmoose
The House with a Clock in its Walls by John Bellairs
emu314159127001
I love the Lewis tales.
MrFancyPanzer
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. havent read it myself yet, but i bought it for my mom and she seems to really enjoy it.
jessmoviedrome
Super duper easy read, fun, cute series.
Coca08
I love it. It was my introduction into "cozy" mysteries. The cast of characters is wonderful. Such a sweet group dynamic, fun banter, silly plots.
MrFancyPanzer
I love cozy mysteries, i called it feelgood murders before i knew there was a term. I Grew up with my parents watching the shows before i read the books
Wikipedo
I didn't find it that great, but my parents' generation probably would
DutchBoeremeisie
It is *excellent*.
emotionalcat576
This is my favorite book that I’ve read recently. Highly recommend!
namelessone
I think the first one was the best, unfortunately. The rest were okay, but the first one actually made some sense as a mystery as well. In the rest the actual mystery seems implausible, and the nice part is the relationships between the protagonists.
AchyBreakyArthritickyKnees
I enjoyed the series - ‘gentle intrigue’ I’d call it: exciting enough to keep your interest piqued throughout the books, but a lower energy so easy to read even if you’re having a blue day.
HarleenQuinzel4
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
Herebychoice
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
HarleenQuinzel4
A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
emu314159127001
1887, published in Beeton's Christmas Annual,
rosedahhling
That's one of my very favorites. I love Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!!
TanithRosenbaum
"The Eyre Affair" (+ sequels) - Jasper Fforde
One of the weirdest and wildest literary rides I've ever embarked on and utterly enjoyed. And literary rides is to be taken literally, as the protagonist, Thursday Next, gets recruited into the ranks of SO-27, the UK's literary detective agency, to hunt book counterfeiters, escaped literary characters, and one particular villain being able to jump between books and literary world and through time. Funny, witty, and delightfully unexpected throughout
qdsspzgnw54
Wonderful and captivating series! It led me to reading all his material- I enjoyed the Nursery Crimes as well
SidewalkWidflower
Commenting to come back to this, if not much trouble could you reply with a . or whatever?
TanithRosenbaum
oh absolutely, I can do that.
. or whatever?
there you go :)
nichoDriver
The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher also has some good mysteries in there...
EverythingYourMotherWarnedYouAbout
Great series! I just started reading it last year. I'm reading the whole series but slowly with other books in between.
NeynasGhost
I enjoyed the magic system and some of the characters but the constant sexism and the very repetitive thing where "Harry does something cool with magic and feels powerful and invincible except oh no it's time for the boss fight and he's too tired and worn out now" got boring.
redbear1999
It’s a graphic novel fyi. I downloaded and was somewhat disappointed it’s not a traditional book
NeynasGhost
Think you need to check your descriptions closer bc Dresden Files definitely is a series of novels. They may have done graphic novel-izations of them but I've read several and there were no pictures. Lots of sexism, but no pictures.
EverythingYourMotherWarnedYouAbout
The Dresden Files is absolutely a novel series in book form. I don't know what you got!
MrDeodorant
There are some graphic novels as well
Theotokoss
Nope, it is like 18(Maybe 20?) full length novels. The audiobooks are delightful because James Marsters makes my knees weak.
SmoeAhsolse
They did one audio book with someone else and the fans (rightly) revolted and they brought Spike back.
Theotokoss
I was part of that revolt LOL
SmoeAhsolse
I was so confused when the other guy started talking. I feel bad for him. He's probably a good voice actor, but Marsters is just the voice of the Dresden Files.
duoplicity
"Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency" by Douglas Adams
rhixhikaru
Ooooo, yeah.
Dapashun81
Loved every scrap of Adams I ever found. Can I suggest "Expecting Someone Taller" Tom Holt
TinaTheWonderBra
Last Chance to See was so fun, like all of his stuff. I’m still sad we were robbed of him.
AnonsAndMinions
Season 1 of the show is worth watching
aabcdort
Yeah, I love Bart. What tf happened with season 2 though? It had some sort of interesting parts but just seemed like a fever dream (not in a good way).
prinzessinmustapha
It is quite dfferent from the book though – I preferred the books.