Best Mysteries from the 1980s

1.
The Name of the Rose
The Name of the Rose 4.14 avg rating — 387,264 ratings
2.
A Great Deliverance (Inspector Lynley, #1)
A Great Deliverance (Inspector Lynley, #1) 4.03 avg rating — 50,907 ratings
3.
A Time to Kill (Jake Brigance, #1)
A Time to Kill (Jake Brigance, #1) 4.12 avg rating — 820,158 ratings
4.
Gorky Park (Arkady Renko, #1)
Gorky Park (Arkady Renko, #1) 4.04 avg rating — 69,059 ratings
5.
The Man With a Load of Mischief (Richard Jury, #1)
The Man With a Load of Mischief (Richard Jury, #1) 3.99 avg rating — 19,444 ratings
6.
The Charm School
The Charm School 4.28 avg rating — 40,341 ratings
7.
The Curse of the Pharaohs (Amelia Peabody, #2)
The Curse of the Pharaohs (Amelia Peabody, #2) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 25,915 ratings
8.
The Virgin in the Ice (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #6)
The Virgin in the Ice (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #6) 4.17 avg rating — 10,523 ratings
9.
St. Peter's Fair (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #4)
St. Peter's Fair (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #4) 4.11 avg rating — 11,411 ratings
10.
Indemnity Only (V.I. Warshawski, #1)
Indemnity Only (V.I. Warshawski, #1) 3.90 avg rating — 19,231 ratings
11.
The Confession of Brother Haluin (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #15)
The Confession of Brother Haluin (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #15) 4.13 avg rating — 5,979 ratings
12.
Monk's Hood (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #3)
Monk's Hood (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #3) 4.08 avg rating — 12,949 ratings
13.
Payment in Blood (Inspector Lynley, #2)
Payment in Blood (Inspector Lynley, #2) 4.03 avg rating — 24,721 ratings
14.
Devices and Desires (Adam Dalgliesh, #8)
Devices and Desires (Adam Dalgliesh, #8) 3.96 avg rating — 15,141 ratings
15.
A Thief of Time (Leaphorn & Chee, #8)
A Thief of Time (Leaphorn & Chee, #8) 4.13 avg rating — 15,020 ratings
16.
The Rose Rent (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #13)
The Rose Rent (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #13) 4.17 avg rating — 7,128 ratings
17.
Dead Man's Ransom (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #9)
Dead Man's Ransom (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #9) 4.07 avg rating — 6,955 ratings
18.
Black Cherry Blues (Dave Robicheaux, #3)
Black Cherry Blues (Dave Robicheaux, #3) 4.16 avg rating — 16,826 ratings
19.
The Sanctuary Sparrow (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #7)
The Sanctuary Sparrow (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #7) 4.08 avg rating — 8,293 ratings
20.
The Pilgrim of Hate (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #10)
The Pilgrim of Hate (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #10) 4.10 avg rating — 6,536 ratings
21.
Skinwalkers (Leaphorn & Chee, #7)
Skinwalkers (Leaphorn & Chee, #7) 4.09 avg rating — 15,286 ratings
21.
Talking God (Leaphorn & Chee, #9)
Talking God (Leaphorn & Chee, #9) 4.07 avg rating — 10,065 ratings
23.
The Dark Wind (Leaphorn & Chee, #5)
The Dark Wind (Leaphorn & Chee, #5) 4.13 avg rating — 12,052 ratings
24.
The Ghostway (Leaphorn & Chee, #6)
The Ghostway (Leaphorn & Chee, #6) 4.12 avg rating — 12,568 ratings
25.
The Silver Pigs (Marcus Didius Falco, #1)
The Silver Pigs (Marcus Didius Falco, #1) 3.90 avg rating — 15,445 ratings
25.
The Key to Rebecca
The Key to Rebecca 3.96 avg rating — 42,048 ratings
27.
Proof
Proof 4.09 avg rating — 7,961 ratings
28.
The Mummy Case (Amelia Peabody, #3)
The Mummy Case (Amelia Peabody, #3) 4.02 avg rating — 20,397 ratings
29.
Presumed Innocent (Kindle County Legal Thriller, #1)
Presumed Innocent (Kindle County Legal Thriller, #1) 4.09 avg rating — 124,239 ratings
30.
The Leper of Saint Giles (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #5)
The Leper of Saint Giles (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #5) 4.16 avg rating — 13,292 ratings
31.
Knots and Crosses (Inspector Rebus, #1)
Knots and Crosses (Inspector Rebus, #1) 3.80 avg rating — 56,319 ratings
32.
An Excellent Mystery (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #11)
An Excellent Mystery (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #11) 4.17 avg rating — 8,060 ratings
32.
A Rare Benedictine (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, prequel stories 0.1-0.3)
A Rare Benedictine (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, prequel stories 0.1-0.3) 4.07 avg rating — 6,143 ratings
34.
The Devil's Novice (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #8)
The Devil's Novice (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #8) 4.14 avg rating — 7,433 ratings
35.
Gallows View (Inspector Banks, #1)
Gallows View (Inspector Banks, #1) 3.78 avg rating — 17,938 ratings
36.
Watchmen
Watchmen 4.39 avg rating — 585,793 ratings
37.
The Hunt for Red October (Jack Ryan, #3)
The Hunt for Red October (Jack Ryan, #3) 4.12 avg rating — 385,139 ratings
38.
The Raven in the Foregate (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #12)
The Raven in the Foregate (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #12) 4.09 avg rating — 6,763 ratings
39.
Bitter Medicine (V.I. Warshawski, #4)
Bitter Medicine (V.I. Warshawski, #4) 3.89 avg rating — 5,424 ratings
40.
A Dark-Adapted Eye
A Dark-Adapted Eye 3.93 avg rating — 9,914 ratings
41.
The Hermit of Eyton Forest (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #14)
The Hermit of Eyton Forest (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, #14) 4.11 avg rating — 6,222 ratings
42.
Thus Was Adonis Murdered (Hilary Tamar, #1)
Thus Was Adonis Murdered (Hilary Tamar, #1) 3.87 avg rating — 5,882 ratings
43.
The Old Fox Deceiv'd (Richard Jury, #2)
The Old Fox Deceiv'd (Richard Jury, #2) 4.08 avg rating — 11,289 ratings
44.
Early Autumn (Spenser, #7)
Early Autumn (Spenser, #7) 4.17 avg rating — 9,899 ratings
45.
The Thin Woman (Ellie Haskell Mystery, #1)
The Thin Woman (Ellie Haskell Mystery, #1) 4.02 avg rating — 7,036 ratings
46.
Reflex
Reflex 4.13 avg rating — 7,172 ratings
47.
Pale Kings And Princes (Spenser, #14)
Pale Kings And Princes (Spenser, #14) 4.04 avg rating — 7,501 ratings
48.
The Anodyne Necklace (Richard Jury, #3)
The Anodyne Necklace (Richard Jury, #3) 4.04 avg rating — 9,046 ratings
49.
Blood Shot (V.I. Warshawski, #5)
Blood Shot (V.I. Warshawski, #5) 4.03 avg rating — 10,156 ratings
50.
Straight
Straight 4.13 avg rating — 5,991 ratings
51.
The Sirens Sang of Murder (Hilary Tamar, #3)
The Sirens Sang of Murder (Hilary Tamar, #3) 3.97 avg rating — 3,374 ratings
51.
Banker
Banker 4.11 avg rating — 5,315 ratings
53.
Patriot Games (Jack Ryan, #1)
Patriot Games (Jack Ryan, #1) 4.16 avg rating — 212,079 ratings
54.
The Edge
The Edge 4.11 avg rating — 6,146 ratings
55.
Heaven's Prisoners (Dave Robicheaux, #2)
Heaven's Prisoners (Dave Robicheaux, #2) 4.10 avg rating — 11,294 ratings
56.
Edwin of the Iron Shoes (Sharon McCone #1)
Edwin of the Iron Shoes (Sharon McCone #1) 3.85 avg rating — 6,618 ratings
57.
Taming a Sea-Horse (Spenser, #13)
Taming a Sea-Horse (Spenser, #13) 3.98 avg rating — 6,556 ratings
58.
Callander Square (Charlotte & Thomas Pitt, #2)
Callander Square (Charlotte & Thomas Pitt, #2) 3.90 avg rating — 12,879 ratings
59.
A Taste for Death (Adam Dalgliesh, #7)
A Taste for Death (Adam Dalgliesh, #7) 4.02 avg rating — 16,390 ratings
60.
Frost at Christmas (Inspector Frost, #1)
Frost at Christmas (Inspector Frost, #1) 4.07 avg rating — 4,984 ratings
61.
The Shortest Way to Hades (Hilary Tamar, #2)
The Shortest Way to Hades (Hilary Tamar, #2) 3.97 avg rating — 4,323 ratings
62.
I Am the Only Running Footman (Richard Jury, #8)
I Am the Only Running Footman (Richard Jury, #8) 3.82 avg rating — 4,648 ratings
63.
Death Of A Hollow Man (Chief Inspector Barnaby, #2)
Death Of A Hollow Man (Chief Inspector Barnaby, #2) 3.89 avg rating — 4,381 ratings
64.
Looking For Rachel Wallace (Spenser, #6)
Looking For Rachel Wallace (Spenser, #6) 4.12 avg rating — 9,989 ratings
65.
The Dirty Duck (Richard Jury, #4)
The Dirty Duck (Richard Jury, #4) 3.95 avg rating — 5,796 ratings
66.
The Neon Rain (Dave Robicheaux, #1)
The Neon Rain (Dave Robicheaux, #1) 3.91 avg rating — 27,687 ratings
67.
Death of an Outsider (Hamish Macbeth, #3)
Death of an Outsider (Hamish Macbeth, #3) 3.81 avg rating — 12,194 ratings
68.
Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher, #1)
Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher, #1) 3.84 avg rating — 28,560 ratings
69.
Break In (Kit Fielding, #1)
Break In (Kit Fielding, #1) 4.14 avg rating — 6,264 ratings
70.
Twice Shy
Twice Shy 3.92 avg rating — 4,697 ratings
71.
Lion in the Valley (Amelia Peabody, #4)
Lion in the Valley (Amelia Peabody, #4) 4.14 avg rating — 18,546 ratings
72.
The Eight (The Eight, #1)
The Eight (The Eight, #1) 3.93 avg rating — 45,356 ratings
72.
An Unkindness of Ravens (Inspector Wexford, #13)
An Unkindness of Ravens (Inspector Wexford, #13) 3.72 avg rating — 4,988 ratings
72.
Devil in a Blue Dress (Easy Rawlins, #1)
Devil in a Blue Dress (Easy Rawlins, #1) 3.87 avg rating — 29,362 ratings
75.
A Dismal Thing to Do (Madoc and Janet Rhys #3)
A Dismal Thing to Do (Madoc and Janet Rhys #3) 4.02 avg rating — 668 ratings
76.
Bimbos of the Death Sun (Jay Omega, #1)
Bimbos of the Death Sun (Jay Omega, #1) 3.71 avg rating — 2,812 ratings
77.
Chiefs (Will Lee, #1)
Chiefs (Will Lee, #1) 4.32 avg rating — 8,926 ratings
78.
The Student Body (Sarah Deane Mystery, #3)
The Student Body (Sarah Deane Mystery, #3) 3.68 avg rating — 118 ratings
79.
Exploit of Death
Exploit of Death 3.96 avg rating — 108 ratings
80.
Passing Strange (Inspector Sloan #9)
Passing Strange (Inspector Sloan #9) 3.81 avg rating — 1,241 ratings
81.
Wrack and Rune (Peter Shandy #3)
Wrack and Rune (Peter Shandy #3) 3.92 avg rating — 1,822 ratings
82.
Taking the Fifth (J.P. Beaumont, #4)
Taking the Fifth (J.P. Beaumont, #4) 3.99 avg rating — 6,292 ratings
83.
The Five Bells and Bladebone (Richard Jury, #9)
The Five Bells and Bladebone (Richard Jury, #9) 3.93 avg rating — 4,181 ratings
84.
Something The Cat Dragged In (Peter Shandy, #4)
Something The Cat Dragged In (Peter Shandy, #4) 3.96 avg rating — 1,236 ratings
85.
Felidae (Felidae, #1)
Felidae (Felidae, #1) 3.91 avg rating — 3,001 ratings
86.
Murder Goes Mumming (Madoc Rhys, #2)
Murder Goes Mumming (Madoc Rhys, #2) 3.99 avg rating — 745 ratings
86.
Crimson Joy (Spenser, #15)
Crimson Joy (Spenser, #15) 3.99 avg rating — 6,900 ratings
88.
A Pint of Murder (Madoc Rhys #1)
A Pint of Murder (Madoc Rhys #1) 3.94 avg rating — 1,886 ratings
89.
Hot Money
Hot Money 4.14 avg rating — 6,476 ratings
90.
People of Darkness (Leaphorn & Chee, #4)
People of Darkness (Leaphorn & Chee, #4) 4.16 avg rating — 11,720 ratings
91.
Foucault’s Pendulum
Foucault’s Pendulum 3.91 avg rating — 73,673 ratings
92.
The Sibyl in Her Grave
The Sibyl in Her Grave really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3,250 ratings
93.
A Stab in the Dark (Matthew Scudder, #4)
A Stab in the Dark (Matthew Scudder, #4) 4.01 avg rating — 5,262 ratings
93.
Mr. Calder and Mr. Behrens
Mr. Calder and Mr. Behrens 4.14 avg rating — 118 ratings
95.
Thornyhold
Thornyhold 3.86 avg rating — 7,742 ratings
96.
Weep No More, My Lady
Weep No More, My Lady 3.87 avg rating — 16,776 ratings
97.
Until Proven Guilty (J.P. Beaumont, #1)
Until Proven Guilty (J.P. Beaumont, #1) 3.97 avg rating — 15,532 ratings
97.
The Case of the Hook-Billed Kites (Sarah Deane Mystery, #1)
The Case of the Hook-Billed Kites (Sarah Deane Mystery, #1) 3.59 avg rating — 175 ratings
99.
If Tomorrow Comes (Tracy Whitney, #1)
If Tomorrow Comes (Tracy Whitney, #1) 4.07 avg rating — 69,910 ratings
100.
No Medals for the Major
No Medals for the Major 3.82 avg rating — 80 ratings
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