Recently updated on November 29th, 2024 at 07:51 pm
If youāre a fan of thrilling plots and unexpected twists, queer mystery books are an absolute must-read. These novels not only keep you on the edge of your seat with their intricate mysteries but also offer a rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ characters and stories.
Whether youāre drawn to gripping detective work or atmospheric whodunnits, queer mystery books bring a fresh and diverse perspective to the genre.
From daring sleuths to enigmatic plots, these stories intertwine suspense with representation, making them both captivating and meaningful. Dive into this genre to discover intriguing narratives where every clue and twist is infused with a unique, inclusive flair.
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The best queer mystery books
1. A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
Set in a magical world of Edwardian England, A Marvellous Light has it all. Mystery, magic and romance.
The enchanting dark academia worldbuilding makes this queer mystery stand out.
Buy on Amazon | Waterstones
2. I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
A quirky young adult mystery with John Green vibes. A high school senior sets out to uncover the mystery behind her classmateās sudden disappearance.
As she navigates this quest, she also discovers unexpected feelings and romantic possibilities.
Buy on Amazon | Waterstones
3. The Gentlemenās Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Mystery, historical romance and hilarious hijinks. In this unique historical fiction, we follow Henry “Monty” Montague touring round Europe.
This book is well-paced and the characterisation is excellent. Highly recommend picking this up
Buy on Amazon | Waterstones
4. The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl
A gripping mystery with dark academia worldbuilding.
The Grimrose Girls re-imagines the heroines of classic fairytales as friends attending an elite boarding school. After one of their friends dies, the police rule it a suicide, but the girls decide to investigate and uncover what really happened.
Buy on Amazon | Waterstones
5. Bitterthorn by Kat Dunn
A fantasy with an eerie mystery. The intriguing mystery hooks you in and the fast pace make this easy to binge read.
Bitterthorn is set in Blumwald, a town overshadowed by an ancient curse. In a sinister castle in the depths of the wild wood lives a witch. Once a generation, she claims a companion. Never to be seen again.
Buy on Amazon | Waterstones
6. Lavender House by Lev A.C. Rosen
Agatha Christie fan? The Lavender House is a classic, Christie-esque murder mystery with an entirely queer cast of characters.
Lavender House, 1952: the family seat of recently deceased matriarch Irene Lamontaine, head of the famous Lamontaine soap empire. Ireneās recipes for her signature scents are a well guarded secretābut it’s not the only one behind these gates.
Buy on Amazon
7. Murder Most Actual by Alexis Hall
A Murder Most Actual is kobo exclusive – available as an audiobook and ebook. The book has classic Agatha Christie vibes and characters.
A cozy mystery that revisits the Golden Age of detective fiction, starring a heroine whoās more podcaster than private eye and topped with a lethal dose of parody — perfect for fans of Clue, Knives Out, and Only Murders in the Building!
Buy on Kobo
8. Last Call at the Nightingale by Katharine Schellman
A queer mystery set in the swinging speakeasies of the jazz age.
New York, 1924. Vivian Kelly’s days are filled with drudgery.But at night, she escapes to The Nightingale. No one bats an eye if she flirts with men or women as long as she can keep up on the dance floor.
But then she discovers a body behind the club, and those dangers come knocking
Buy on Amazon
9. The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester By Maya MacGregor
This ya novel is the perfect balance between mystery and contemporary. With adorable characters and easy-to-read writing.
In this queer contemporary YA mystery, a nonbinary teen with autism realizes they must not only solve a 30-year-old mystery but also face the demons lurking in their past in order to live a satisfying life.
Buy on Amazon | Waterstones
10. You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
A short and easy to read novella that blends mystery with classic horror tropes.
Charity Curtis has the summer job of her dreams, playing the āfinal girlā at Camp Mirror Lake. But the last weekend of the season, Charity’s co-workers begin disappearing. And when one ends up dead, Charity’s role as the final girl suddenly becomes all too real
Buy on Amazon | Waterstones
11. The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe
A twisty ya mystery with a morally grey main character.
Nora OāMalleyās been a lot of girls. As the daughter of a con-artist who targets criminal men.
For five years Noraās been playing at normal. But then Nora, her girlfriend, and Noraās ex find themselves hostages in a bank robbery.
Buy on Amazon | Waterstones
12. A Killing in Costumes by Zac Bissonnette
Are you a fan of cozy mystery novels? Then you’ll love A Killing in Costumes.
Jay Allan and Cindy Cooper were soap opera stars in the late ā90s. When the truth about their sexual orientations came to light, their careers ended, but they have remained friends. Together, they open Palm Springsā chicest movie memorabilia store.
But when a rival ends up dead,they become prime suspects in the murder.
Buy on Amazon | Waterstones
13. The Good Girls by Claire Eliza Bartlett
An intriguing mystery following 4 different POVs. This is easy to read with excellent dark academia vibes.
Everyone in high school has a label. Emma Baines was known as a good girl. She is murdered and three of her classmates become suspects. But appearances are never what they seem.
Buy on Amazon
14. The Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand
A unique mystery that blends spooky vibes with badass, morally grey characters.
Sawkill island has never been safe for young girls. According to local legend, a paranormal beast hunts young girls.
We are introduced to three girls: Zoey, Val and Marion. They have the power to save the island. If they are willing to come together and try.
Buy on Amazon | Waterstones
15. Ghost Wood Song by Erica Waters
Ghostwood Song is a spooky tale with Southern Forest imagery. It features an intriguing mystery and a bisexual main character.
Ghostwood song follows Shady Groves. Sheās inherited her fatherās ability to call ghosts from the grave with his fiddle. And she knows the tunes bring nothing but trouble. But her brother is accused of murder. And to clear his name sheās going to have to make the ghosts sing.
Buy on Amazon | Waterstones
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