Some films keep you on the edge of your seat, making you second-guess every character’s motive. Knives Out is a perfect example of that. The story isn’t too complicated; rather, it is so thrilling that it does not allow you a lot of time to think while you are watching. And after watching the delightful chaos of Knives Out, it’s only natural to crave that same mix of surprise and satisfaction in a book form.
I’d say there is nothing better than a good thrill. Let me open to you the world of whodunnits by recommending you 15 books like Knives Out, and trust me, they are gripping, and you will not be able to put the books down until they are completed. So, put your detective caps on and let us go on a ride to solve some unresolved murder mysteries. Let’s get started.
15 Whodunnit Books Similar To Knives Out
Whodunnit books like Knives Out, especially those with plot twists, scheming families, and clever scenes, are perfect for readers who want both fun and suspense. Starting with classic village mysteries and leading to locked-room dramas to witty meta-narratives and modern thrillers, these novels promise hours of delight and drama. The following 15 picks are each a masterclass in keeping secrets, teasing your inner detective, and surprising you at every turn.
1. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
A murder mystery recommendation, and we do not start with Agatha Christie? There’s no list complete without the mention of the queen of mystery. Agatha stuns the readers with this book. A story set up in a quiet village, based on a suspicious suicide, and her famous detective, Hercule Poirot, navigating a case with layers of lies and one of the most shocking twists ever put to paper. She
While you are reading the book, at some points you might believe you know the ending, but think twice. Because if you think you know the ending, na-ah, this book sets the bar way too high for the best whodunnit novels of all time, you can mark my words on this.
2. The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith
The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith is like taking a light walk through Edinburgh but you are accompanied by a thinking friend who never stops wondering about life’s deeper meaning.
Isabel Dalhousie is our ever-curious philosopher, who witnesses a man’s tragic fall at a concert, and her conscience simply won’t allow her to let the mystery fade into the background. She’s not someone who’d chase down suspects in alleys; instead, she untangles the problem from the comfort of her cozy armchairs.
What I love most about this book is how Isabel’s mind wanders, which is sometimes hilarious and other times it’s profound.
3. A Line to Kill by Anthony Horowitz
Just imagine you are attending a literary festival on a remote island and then someone turns up dead! Yes, Horowitz crafts razor-sharp situations with sly humor that it’s a clever nod to Agatha Christie. For me, what truly makes this novel stand out among the other whodunnit books like Knives Out was the meta angle: the writer himself is a character. Now, that’s interesting!
This clever tweak in the narrative invites readers behind the scenes, making you feel like an insider poring over clues in real time. The witty banter between Horowitz and Hawthorne, combined with family drama and concealed motives offers a sharp and entertaining homage to Agatha Christie’s classic locked-room murder mysteries.
Do you love reading books like Knives Out that combine clever plotting, humor, and a cast of richly-drawn suspects? A Line to Kill is an unmissable read.
4. Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
There are very few whodunnit books like Knives Out that revolve around family chaos like this one. The story moves on when the dysfunctional Cunningham family is stuck at a remote mountain retreat. Stevenson’s narrator is a refreshing voice; it is wry, witty, and ready to break the fourth wall, inviting you directly into the puzzle.
Now, that is what makes it all the more special – just like in the movies, you get into the world of their story. The narrator is speaking directly to its readers. The clever structure keeps readers engaged for clues and unexpected reveals, while the dark humor ensures plenty of laughs.
It’s easily among the best whodunnit novels of all time for fans of cozy mystery books like Knives Out.
5. The Retreat by Sarah Pearse
When you pick The Retreat, each page will practically force you to glance over your shoulder. The book is set on an island known as Reaper’s Rock. This luxury wellness retreat promises peace and rejuvenation but hides a sinister past. There’s always a but!
The island, which is rumored to be cursed, quickly becomes a place of suspicion and fills the guests with fear, especially when they begin to vanish mysteriously. Pearse expertly builds a claustrophobic, tense atmosphere where every shadow hides a secret.
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6. Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto is a funny and heartwarming family comedy that blends a murder mystery with cultural chaos. No matter how twisted it might sound for a murder mystery to be funny this book holds a lot more. The story kicks off when Meddelin Chan, a wedding photographer, finds herself in a panic. She accidentally killed her creepy blind date, funny, isn’t it?
Her mother immediately calls in her mischievous aunties to help cover up the crime. And the story becomes bizarre when the body is accidentally shipped in a cake cooler to a billionaire’s wedding on a beautiful island resort.
This book is a mix of crime with laugh-out-loud moments.
7. A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette
A Deadly Inside Scoop is set in a cozy ice-cream shop; this murder mystery mixes sweet treats with evil secrets. The female protagonist finds herself tracking down leads and gathering up clues after a dead body turns up in the snow. I must say that this debut novel of the author is perfect for anyone who loves food, family, and murder mysteries that go down smoothly.
8. Speedy Death by Gladys Mitchell
Mrs. Beatrice Lestrange Bradley is far beyond your typical detective character. She is brilliant and has a wicked sense of humor; she stands out immediately in Mitchell’s 1929 debut book. The story is set in a grand English country house called Chaynings.
The story begins when the explorer Everard Mountjoy is found dead in the bath under mysterious circumstances, of course! The twist is that Mountjoy is actually a woman disguised as a man, which adds layers of intrigue to the case. This makes Speedy Death an essential read among the best whodunnit novels of all time and a fascinating first encounter.
9. Eight Detectives by Alex Pavesi
In Eight Detectives, Alex Pavesi has delivered a fascinating take on the murder mystery genre. The novel centers on Julia Hart, an editor sent to a remote Mediterranean island. She is there to persuade Grant McAllister to republish his collection of detective stories titled The White Murders.
What begins as a straightforward endeavor quickly turns complex. Julia discovers inconsistencies and odd details in the stories, discrepancies that feel more like clues than errors. The readers are made to question every narrative and become part of the mystery, making it an interesting read for fans seeking books like Knives Out that cleverly blur the line between fiction and reality.
10. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Another amazing whodunit by Agatha Christie. This book perfected the formula: ten strangers lured to an island, each harboring a private sin. What happens next is definitely beyond the reader’s expectations.
This story sets the stage for everything from Knives Out to modern television thrillers. An absolute must-read for anyone first diving into the genre for the first time.
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11. The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
Old friends gather to celebrate the New Year at a remote hunting lodge nestled deep in the Scottish Highlands. I know, right? Celebration at a remote lodge, why? And thereafter the story covers everything, the muffling secrets and the lies. The author Lucy Foley spins a suspenseful web through shifting points of view that pulls the reader inside each character’s tangled motives.
This modern mystery is a perfectly moody echo of classic murder mysteries and a must-read for fans who love the complicated social dynamics and sharp twists found in books like Knives Out.
12. Murder at the Theatre Royale by Ada Moncrieff
This book is set against the backdrop of 1930s London during the Christmas season. Murder at the Theatre Royale by Ada Moncrieff offers a classic whodunnit infused with festive charm. The story revolves around a touring production of A Christmas Carol, culminating in the final show at London’s renowned Theatre Royale.
On opening night, the actor playing Scrooge mysteriously dies on stage, an event initially brushed off as a heart attack. They are all caught up in a web of secrets and rivalries. The novel delivers a satisfying mystery full of golden-age nostalgia, making it perfect for fans of classic cozy whodunnit books like Knives Out.
13. One By One by Ruth Ware
A tech startup’s staff retreat turns into a nightmare in Ruth Ware’s One By One. The story is set in a luxurious ski chalet high in the French Alps, where the group arrives amid tension over the company’s future. That tension escalates quickly when a violent blizzard traps everyone inside, and employees begin disappearing – one by one. The readers will find this intense survival tale utterly compelling.
14. Murder in the Crooked House by Soji Shimada
The story of Murder in the Crooked House revolves around complex crimes like impossible crimes and elaborate schemes that demand logical deduction from the reader. Isolated in a mansion, guests must solve not only the murder but the geometry of the house itself. Shimada’s novel is pure brain exercise, it is a delight for fans who crave both classic whodunnit plots and brilliant logic games.
15. The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
This genre-bending masterpiece rewinds the same murder, again and again, through different eyes. Isn’t this interesting already? Our protagonist relives Evelyn’s death each day as a new guest. It is forced to solve a very complex web. This results in a blend of time-travel, body-swapping, and country-house intrigue. The novel combines mind-bending structure with suspense, making it a mesmerizing and unique addition to whodunnit books.
Conclusion
There’s no such thing as too many murder mysteries, at least, not on this list! Your search for books like Knives Out ends here. These books will leave you hungry for family secrets, ingenious crimes, or puzzle-box plots. Every book on this list opens a new case, a new cast, and another opportunity for the readers to be the detective.
Reading this book will bring a magnificent satisfaction in turning the last page of a whodunnit and realizing you’ve been thrilled, tricked, and completely absorbed by the story’s game of clues and red herrings. These fifteen books like Knives Out prove the genre is always evolving. What links them all is the reader’s role as detective, following trails, second-guessing suspects, and enjoying the “aha!” of each reveal.
FAQs
1. Who is the queen of whodunnit novels?
Undoubtedly, Agatha Christie is the queen of whodunit novels. Her twisted plots and unforgettable characters have revolutionized mystery fiction and continue to inspire readers and writers alike. Novels like Murder on the Orient Express and And Then There Were None remain highlights of the genre and are a must-read in any whodunnit lover’s list.
2. Are whodunnits the same as cozy mysteries?
All cozy mysteries fall under the broader umbrella of whodunnits since they revolve around solving a crime, which is usually a murder. However, cozy mysteries tend to lean towards a lighter read. They have small-town settings and avoid graphic violence or dark themes.
3. Which modern authors write in the style of Agatha Christie?
Contemporary writers like Anthony Horowitz, Lucy Foley, Ruth Ware, and Benjamin Stevenson have a writing style similar to that of Christie’s. They embrace closed-circle settings, intricate situations, and complex characters while adding fresh twists.
4. What are the best whodunnit series for beginners?
If someone is looking to begin reading whodunnits, they should start with Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot series. These books introduce iconic detective techniques and classic mysteries. Alexander McCall Smith’s Isabel Dalhousie series offers accessible, thoughtful mysteries steeped in philosophical pondering, which is ideal for readers easing into whodunnit or cozy mystery books like Knives Out.
