As in years past, I’ve collected 89 “best” lists by a number of experts in the field of mystery, crime and thriller fiction. Then I collated the lists to find out which books appeared the most on those lists. This is my attempt to find some consensus in a world of arbitrary opinion.
The following is what I call the Best of the Best – the top 28 titles. There will be more detail about the Best of the Best in the next issue of Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine. I’ve read 14 of the 28 books listed. Of those 14 books read by me, 9 are on my personal best list. – George Easter (revised January 22, 2026)

Number of Appearances on Best Lists

32
KING OF ASHES, S. A. Cosby

27
AN IMPOSSIBLE FORTUNE, Richard Osman

18
CLOWN TOWN, Mick Herron
DON’T LET HIM IN, Lisa Jewell

16
HEARTWOOD, Amity Gaige

15
FAIR PLAY, Louise Hegarty – Debut Novel
THE BLACK WOLF, Louise Penny

14
NOT QUITE DEAD YET, Holly Jackson
THE IMPOSSIBLE THING, Belinda Bauer

13
CROOKS, Lou Berney

12
MARBLE HALL MURDERS, Anthony Horowitz
THE SECRET OF SECRETS, Dan Brown
WE ARE ALL GUILTY HERE, Karin Slaughter
THE GOOD LIAR, Denise Mina
MURDER TAKES A VACATION, Laura Lippman

10
THE SAVAGE, NOBLE DEATH OF BABS DIONNE, Ron Currie
BEAUTIFUL UGLY, Alice Feeney
THE PROVING GROUND, Michael Connelly
KILL YOUR DARLINGS, Peter Swanson

9
NIGHTSHADE, Michael Connelly
ALL THE OTHER MOTHERS HATE ME, Sarah Harman – Debut Novel
EL DORADO DRIVE, Megan Abbott
THE DOORMAN, Chris Pavone
DEAD MONEY, Jakob Kerr – Debut Novel
THE KILLER QUESTION, Janice Hallett

8
WILD DARK SHORE, Charlotte McConaghy
STRANGE PICTURES, Uketsu
THE DENTIST, Tim Sullivan