McAllen Public Library

Mystery

In order for a novel to qualify as a mystery, it must meet these plot requirements:

There must be a murder and a dead body.
The protagonist must be an investigator trying to solve the murder, either professional or amateur.

Cozy Mystery

Cozy mysteries are lighter in tone, don't describe the murder in too much detail, take place in a small town, and the sleuth is an amateur. There are smaller divisions within this subgenre. Hobby mysteries feature a group of characters who all participate in a hobby like knitting, baking, or book clubs. Domestic mysteries feature things around the house, usually a pet dog or cat who aids the sleuth.

Try these authors: Joanne Fluke, Rita Mae Brown, Laura Childs, Diane Mott Davidson, Cleo Coyle, Nancy Atherton, Leslie Meier

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala

Invitation Only Murder by Leslie Meier

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

Mission to Murder by Lynn Cahoon

Caper Mystery

Caper mysteries have a comical element. They feature either a bumbling detective or are told from the point of view of a bumbling criminal. They are also the only mystery subgenre where the crime is not necessarily a murder.

Try these authors: Donald E. Westlake, Lawrence Block, Elmore Leonard, Carl Hiaasen, Janet Evanovich

Fortune and Glory by Janet Evanovich

Squeeze Me by Carl Hiaasen

Razor Girl by Carl Hiaasen

Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard

Police Procedural

Mysteries in this subgenre always feature a protagonist who is a member of the police force, FBI, or some other official government entity who is investigating the crime.

Try these authors: P.D. James, Ruth Rendell, Tony Hillerman, Ian Rankin, John Sanford, Michael Connelly, Jeffery Deaver, James Patterson, Nelson DeMille, C.J. Box, Jussi Adler-Olsen, Jo Nesbo, Martin Cruz Smith, John Lutz, Karin Slaughter, Donna Leon, Ann Cleeves, Patricia Cornwell, Tess Gerritsen, Kathy Reichs, J.A. Jance, Louise Penny

Transient Desires by Donna Leon

The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny

Year of the Dog by Henry Chang

The Siberian Dilemma by Martin Cruz Smith

Harboiled / Noir Mystery

Hardboiled and noir mysteries feature professional, independent investigators (often of the trench coat variety) and describe the murders in detail. These investigators are independent and not part of any police force. They are often investigating mob and mafia related crimes that flourished during the Prohibition era (1920-1933), as well as corruption of the police force and legal system. This genre had its heyday in the 1930's-1950's. More contemporary novels in this subgenre don't take place during Prohibition, but still feature professional, independent investigators in an urban setting.

Try these authors: Sara Paretsky, Walter Mosley, Sue Grafton, Dennis Lehane, Robert Galbraith, Jonathan Kellerman, James Lee Burke, James Ellroy

Blood Grove by Walter Mosley

This Storm by James Ellroy

A Drink Before the War by Dennis Lehane

Y is for Yesterday by Sue Grafton

Paranormal Mystery

This subgenre is what it sounds like- mysteries with a supernatural element like ghosts or messages from the unknown. It can add another twist to what would otherwise be a regular mystery.

Try these authors: Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher, Victoria Laurie, Madelyn Alt, Juliet Blackwell