Best Detective Novels of the 21st Century (2026): 5 Compared

Twenty-five years of crime: the best detective novels of the 21st century span village murders to luxury resorts. We compared five by fit, content, value and age guidance, using only what the listings publish.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	The Long Call	9.8/10	Buy
2	The Last Dance	9.8/10	Buy
3	The Wrong Hands	9.8/10	Buy
4	The Midnight Feast	9.8/10	Buy
5	Broken Ground	9.8/10	Buy

1

The Long Call

Ann Cleeves·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Ann Cleeves's 2019 Long Call, Detective Matthew Venn book 1.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 4 stated
• Ann Cleeves author
• North Devon setting

Cons

• No page count stated
• 2019, not the newest
• Book 1, series continues

2

The Last Dance

Mark Billingham·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Mark Billingham's 2023 Last Dance, Detective Miller book 1.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 3 stated
• Mark Billingham author
• New series stated

Cons

• No page count stated
• 2023, mid recency
• Book 1, series continues

3

The Wrong Hands

Mark Billingham·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Mark Billingham's 2024 Wrong Hands, Detective Miller book 2.

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Pros

• 2024, the newest here
• Book 2 of 3 stated
• Amazon Editors Pick stated

Cons

• No page count stated
• 2024, recent
• Book 2, not a starter

4

The Midnight Feast

Lucy Foley·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Lucy Foley's 2024 Midnight Feast, resort murder mystery.

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Pros

• 2024 stated
• Lucy Foley author
• NPR Best Book stated

Cons

• No page count stated
• 2024, recent
• Standalone, no series

5

Broken Ground

Val McDermid·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Val McDermid's 2018 Broken Ground, Karen Pirie book 5.

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Pros

• Book 5 of 8 stated
• Val McDermid author
• Diamond Dagger author

Cons

• No page count stated
• 2018, the oldest here
• Book 5, mid series

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More picks to compare

• The Last Detective2003, Book 1, Lovesey.Check on Amazon
• Holy Orders2013, Book 6, Banville.Check on Amazon
• Vengeance2012, Book 5, Banville.Check on Amazon
• Murder in Borrowdale2026, Book 3, Thorpe.Check on Amazon
• The Seventh Function368 pages, 2018, Binet.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Specifications are manufacturer rated as listed, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, content, value and age guidance. Age guidance here means the stated reading age. No listing states a warranty. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best detective novels of the 21st century

Series order

The Long Call and The Last Dance are book 1; Broken Ground is book 5. Start at book 1. For more mysteries, see our thriller mystery books.

New vs recent

Broken Ground is 2018; The Wrong Hands is 2024. Newer books read fresher. For women detective novels, see our detective novels by women.

Setting

The Long Call is North Devon; the Midnight Feast is a resort. Setting sets the mood.

Before you buy

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the oldest?

Broken Ground is 2018, the oldest here.

Which are series starters?

The Long Call and The Last Dance are book 1.

Which author has two?

Mark Billingham has The Last Dance and The Wrong Hands.

Still deciding? Our top pickThe Long Call

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Related lists

See all fiction lists. Also see our detective novels by women.