Best Mystery Series Books for Adults: 5 Series Compared

A good mystery series is a commitment, and the best mystery series books for adults reward it with detectives who grow book after book. We compared five series picks, from a six-book boxed set to single series starters, looking at fit for adult readers, contents and edition, and value.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Dublin Murder Squad by French	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Womens Murder Club by Patterson	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Murder by the Book by Elliott	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Hush, Hush Saga by Fitzpatrick	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Family Secrets by McGuire	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Dublin Murder Squad by French

Tana French·9.6/10 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 ›

For adult readers who want a complete six-book literary mystery series.

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Pros

• All six volumes in one boxed set
• October 5, 2021 edition with 2816 pages
• Adult mystery series directly matching this list

Cons

• 2816 pages is the longest total here
• No reading age or grade level is stated
• Boxed set only; no single-volume option is stated

2

Womens Murder Club by Patterson

James Patterson·9.5/10 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 ›

For crime-series readers who want the first six books in one set.

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Pros

• Books 1 to 6 of the series in one collection set
• Adult crime series fitting this list
• Collection format for a long series

Cons

• No page count is stated
• No publication date is stated
• No reading age or grade level is stated

3

Murder by the Book by Elliott

Lauren Elliott·9.4/10 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 ›

For cosy mystery fans who want to start an 11-book bookstore series.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 11: a stated series start
• 304 pages with an October 30, 2018 edition
• Cosy bookstore mystery for adult readers

Cons

• Single volume; the series has 11 books
• The description mentions a murder and a fatal car accident
• No reading age or grade level is stated

4

Hush, Hush Saga by Fitzpatrick

Becca Fitzpatrick·9.4/10 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 ›

For young adult readers who like paranormal romance sagas.

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Pros

• Four-book boxed set with 1824 pages
• Reading age and grade level are stated
• Complete saga in one set

Cons

• Stated reading age of 14 years and up and grade 9 to 12: aimed at young adult readers
• Paranormal romance themes stated in the description
• 2013 edition, the older of the two boxed sets

5

Family Secrets by McGuire

Shawn McGuire·9.4/10 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 ›

For readers who like witchy small-town mysteries with a former detective.

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Pros

• Small-town mystery with a former detective lead
• 283 pages with a June 15, 2017 edition
• Quirky characters per the description

Cons

• The description states slow-burn romance and witchy themes
• No series position is stated
• No reading age or grade level is stated

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More picks to compare

• Freida McFadden 3-Book SetThree-book thriller set from the Poisoned Pen Press.Check on Amazon
• Murder in the Mystery Suite by AdamsBook retreat cosy mystery for series readers.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 20 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, and value, plus the listed reading age or level where one is given. Only one of the five picks states a reading age or grade level: the Hush, Hush saga lists 14 years and up and grade 9 to 12. 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 mystery series books for adults

Start at the beginning

The Dublin Murder Squad boxed set collects all six volumes, and the Womens Murder Club set collects books 1 to 6, so either works as a series start. Murder by the Book is stated as Book 1 of 11, the cleanest single-volume entry point. For more British series see the British mystery series list.

Match the darkness to your taste

The Dublin Murder Squad is the literary, darker end; Murder by the Book and Family Secrets are cosy and small-town with romance threads. The Hush, Hush saga is paranormal romance aimed at young adults. Pick the tone you will still enjoy ten books in.

Check the age listing

Only the Hush, Hush saga states a reading age: 14 years and up, grade 9 to 12. The others state no age, and all but the Hush, Hush are written for adults. Period fans may also like the Victorian mystery series list.

Before you buy

• Check the series position: Murder by the Book is Book 1 of 11, and the Womens Murder Club set covers books 1 to 6.
• Check the edition year and page count: Dublin is 2021 with 2816 pages, Hush, Hush is 2013 with 1824 pages.
• Check the stated reading age: the Hush, Hush saga lists 14 years and up; the others state none.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best starting point?

The boxed sets collect complete runs, so any of them works. Murder by the Book is the stated Book 1 of an 11-book series.

How many books are in the Dublin set?

Six: In the Woods, The Likeness, Faithful Place, Broken Harbor, The Secret Place and The Trespasser.

Is the Hush, Hush saga for adults?

The listing gives a reading age of 14 years and up and grade level 9 to 12, so it is aimed at young adult readers.

Still deciding? Our top pickDublin Murder Squad by French

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Related lists

See every thriller and mystery list and all fiction lists. Also see our best mystery series books British.

More lists: limited series, plot twist series and mystery comedy.