{"id":7393,"date":"2023-05-02T19:16:52","date_gmt":"2023-05-02T23:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.princetonbookreview.com\/blog\/?p=7393"},"modified":"2025-07-27T21:28:38","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T01:28:38","slug":"10-best-mystery-audiobooksthrillers-and-mysteries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.princetonbookreview.com\/blog\/10-best-mystery-audiobooksthrillers-and-mysteries\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Best Mystery Audiobooks(Thrillers and Mysteries)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Book Lists<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Looking for the best mystery audiobooks to add to your reading list? You’ve come to the right place!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mystery audiobooks are one of the best genres to listen to. They’re exciting, easy to follow, and entertaining! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether commuting, cleaning, or relaxing, a captivating mystery audiobook can transport you to another world and keep you on the edge of your seat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why listen to Audiobooks?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Reading is a time-consuming hobby, and finding a few moments to sit down and read can be challenging. As we all know, time is precious, so listening to a book offers a fantastic way to read more books allowing you to work through that never-ending TBR list.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The convenience of having a book downloaded on your phone is another advantage of audiobooks. It makes it easy to squeeze in a few minutes of listening, and you always have a book at the ready.  Road trips or long drives go much faster when you’re listening to a book. It’s a great way to pass the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Audiobooks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Grand View Research<\/a> states, “The global audiobooks market size was valued at USD 5,364.9 million in 2022 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 26.3% from 2023 to 2030. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mystery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What are some of the different subgenres of mystery books?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Several types of books fall under the mystery umbrella, such as psychological thrillers,  crime mysteries, cozy mysteries, suspense mysteries, and historical fiction mysteries. All are excellent but offer a different twist.  Many top the New York Times Best Seller lists and are considered some of the best books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Psychological Thriller<\/strong> puts a lot of emphasis on the psychology and emotions of its characters. It can be scary or suspenseful.  Thriller audiobooks can be addictive!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crime Mysteries <\/strong>often feature detectives, law enforcement officers, or amateurs who solve the mystery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cozy Mysteries<\/strong> are lighthearted and usually set in a small town with quirky and lovable characters. Additionally, the stories often involve a murder or crime that is not too graphic or violent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suspense Mysteries <\/strong>are stories that keep you wondering what will happen next. There’s usually a lot of tension and danger involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historical Fiction Mysteries<\/strong> involve a mystery or crime set in the past. These stories can be a fun way to learn about history while enjoying a good mystery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Best Mystery Audiobooks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you still need to start listening to books and are a fan of mysteries, below is a list of the best mystery audiobooks to get you started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through our links, we receive a small commission without additional costs to you.  That’s what helps fund PrincetonBookReview.com so we can continue to help you find your next read. We truly appreciate it<\/em>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here are the 10 best mystery audiobooks to listen to now!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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1. Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Local Woman Missing is a gripping psychological thriller by Mary Kubica, filled with suspense, mystery, and dark secrets. I loved how this book grabbed me from the first chapter and had me on the edge of my seat. The story follows the intense search for a missing woman that unravels dark truths about a small town and its community members. Kubica’s compelling writing drew me into the intricately woven plot and kept me guessing. This fast-paced thriller is one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to this year, and I can’t wait to listen to her next book.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2. A Flicker In The Dark by Stacy Willingham<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I loved this book! It was captivating and suspenseful from start to finish. This book has many unexpected plot twists and turns that kept me guessing. It centers around a successful psychologist, who is very happy with her life. But, when she was twelve, several girls went missing. Everything comes flooding back as another girl is missing. Is the serial killer back? This plot is well crafted, and the characters are believable. I was utterly immersed in this story and couldn’t wait to finish! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good murder mystery. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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3. The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This book is about the famous mystery writer Agatha Christie. She went missing for eleven days in 1940 without explanation. Although it’s a fictional story about what may have happened during her disappearance, it’s a fantastic mystery novel that will pique your curiosity and keep you engaged from start to finish. It has secrets, lies, and intrigue, making it a page-turner.  Anyone who loves classic mystery novels will enjoy this book.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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4. Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Molloy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a captivating psychological thriller that will keep you hooked from start to finish. There are many unexpected twists and turns, making it a thrilling read that will keep you guessing until the very end. Suddenly, Sam goes missing, and everything begins to unravel. There were several twists and turns I didn’t see coming. At one point, I had to go back and reread a portion of the book to ensure I read it correctly. It would make an excellent Book Club Choice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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5. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This was one of my favorite mystery books, and it’s the author’s first novel! It’s one of those stories you can’t stop thinking about once you’ve finished. It begins with Tova Sullivan. Her husband has died, so she starts working the night shift at the local aquarium to keep busy. Here she befriends the giant Pacific octopus, Marcellus, and an extraordinary friendship develops.  Don’t be put off by having an octopus as the main character.  Not only is he delightful, but I became invested in all the different characters.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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6. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Goldfinch is a beautifully written and fascinating novel that explores the themes of loss, obsession, and redemption. It’s an emotional story filled with characters that are complex and well-developed. It tells the story of a young boy named Theo Decker, who survives a terrorist attack at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Donna Tartt is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and one of my favorites!  This is a captivating book, but long with a listening time of 32 hours.  Although excellent, it may not be a good choice for a first-time listener.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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7. The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I enjoyed this coming-of-age mystery about Ray McMillian, a young black boy from a rural community in North Carolina. He’s a gifted violinist and dreams of becoming a classical musician. However, many obstacles, such as racism, family strife, and resistance, stand in his way. But, despite people’s actions, attitudes, and baseless preconceptions about him, he fights to achieve his dream.  This book is thought-provoking and would make an excellent Book Club choice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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8. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From start to finish, this was an exciting read about three young women recruited to decipher intricate codes during WWll at the top-secret compound Beltchy Park. These remarkable women play a crucial role in providing essential information to help win the war against the Nazis.  This would be an excellent Book Club Pick and spark a great discussion. This is a great mystery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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9. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Laura Dave raises the question, can you ever really know someone? Even your husband, who you love and believe loves you?  Hannah has a seemingly perfect life until she receives a note from her husband.  As this mystery unfolds regarding what happened to her husband, the family drama begins, revealing a past. This book is fast-paced, easy to read, and perfect for a vacation or sitting on the beach.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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10. Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lisa Jewell once again delivers with this mystery\/thriller I didn’t want to put down. She’s one of my go-to authors, and with good reason, her style is sharp and engaging with characters that are unique and complicated.  This is a story about a young girl who goes missing and the tidal wave of grief and betrayal that follows. I was on the edge of my seat and must admit I didn’t see the plot twists coming. She has several best sellers. This is a great read, and it would make an excellent Book Club choice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Here are a few more book recommendations to browse:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n