The bestselling author of contemporary crime fiction picks the books that have inspired, entertained and intrigued her the most
Janice Hallett has become one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary crime fiction. With bestselling novels like The Appeal, The Twyford Code and The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels, she has carved out a niche for clever, unconventional mysteries told through letters, transcripts and clues hidden in plain sight.
But what kind of murder mysteries does she love to read herself? “I think the ones that stay with me are those that mix atmosphere, intelligence and narrative ingenuity,” she says. “The stories that do more than ask ‘whodunnit?’ – they make you think about why.”
Here, Hallett shares the five books that have inspired, entertained and intrigued her the most…
One at a Time by Will Dean
“Originally published under the title The Chamber, this is, for me, the ultimate locked-room mystery. It’s set in one of the most confined spaces imaginable – a deep-sea compression chamber – where a team of divers are picked off one by one. Trapped beneath the surface, they can’t trust each other, and they can’t escape. The claustrophobia is off the scale.
“What I love most is how clever the structure is: with so little action possible in such a restricted setting, the story unfolds through memory and character. That gives it a haunting psychological depth that makes it more than just a traditional whodunnit. It’s paranoid, atmospheric, and full of tension. I found it completely absorbing from start to finish – one of those books that leaves you slightly breathless when you finally come up for air.”
Hodder, £9.99
A Trial in Three Acts by Guy Morpuss
“This one had me from the first line. The story begins with a shocking onstage murder: an actress is beheaded in front of a live audience when a theatre prop goes horribly wrong. Her estranged husband is accused, and the case unfolds as a courtroom drama. Guy Morpuss is a former barrister, and it shows – the legal scenes feel utterly authentic and sharp.
“It’s thrilling, twisty, and surprisingly funny in places, which is rare and refreshing in a murder mystery. It’s one of those stories that keeps you guessing right until the final page, and when the reveal comes, it’s both shocking and satisfying.”
Viper, £16.99
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
“This series is the complete opposite of the dark, grisly mysteries I often read – and that’s exactly why I love it. The books follow Precious Ramotswe, a private detective in Botswana, and they’re the most gentle, life-affirming kind of escapism. It’s like Midsomer Murders transported to Africa: the stakes feel personal rather than brutal, and the tone is warm, wise and funny. For those of us living in grey, urban London, the setting feels like pure sunshine on the page.
“What makes these books so special is Precious herself – she’s kind, relatable and full of quiet strength. There’s comfort in spending time in her world, solving small mysteries that are more about human nature than crime. It’s impossible not to come away from each book smiling. I think that’s why I return to them so often – they remind you that detective stories can be uplifting too.”
Abacus, £9.99
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
“At the other end of the spectrum is The Name of the Rose – long, dark, and utterly fascinating. It’s set in a 14th-century Italian monastery, and it’s gruesome, medieval and completely immersive. At its heart, it’s a detective story about a friar and his young apprentice investigating a series of mysterious deaths, but it’s also so much more. Eco weaves theology, philosophy, and symbolism into the narrative so intricately that it becomes a layered exploration of faith, knowledge, and truth.
“And yet, despite its depth, it still works brilliantly as a whodunnit – you’re desperate to find out who’s behind it all. The writing is dense and demanding, but incredibly rewarding. It’s atmospheric in the extreme, and the humour, when it appears, takes you by surprise. It’s one of those books that transports you entirely – you don’t just read it, you live in it.”
Vintage Classics, £12.99
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
“I wanted to include something from the hardboiled tradition, and Chandler’s The Big Sleep is an absolute classic. It introduces private eye Philip Marlowe, investigating a wealthy family’s web of corruption, crime and deceit. It’s very different from the cosy or cerebral mysteries – it’s gritty, cynical, and dripping with noir style.
“The language is sharp and full of 1930s American slang, which gives it an incredible texture. Some aspects are, of course, dated, but that’s part of what makes it so interesting: you’re reading a piece of genre history. What fascinates me is that Chandler famously leaves one of the murders unresolved – nobody, not even he, knew who did it! Yet the atmosphere, the dialogue, and the moral ambiguity more than make up for it. A true masterclass in tone, and still utterly compelling to read today.”
Penguin, £8.99
‘The Killer Question‘ by Janice Hallett is published by Viper, £18.99
