10 Best Mystery Books in the Philippines 2024

If you’re looking for something that does not have too much gore, violence, or foul language, then this subgenre is for you. 

Set in a familiar yet comfortable environment, a cozy mystery story focuses on an amateur detective, usually a woman, who spends her time searching for answers regarding a crime.

On the other hand, a hard-boiled or noir mystery is on the other side of the spectrum. It has all the gore and brutality that most mystery novel enthusiasts look for.

Here, the main character is a cop or private investigator who is determined to apprehend the killer and give justice to the victim. He or she unfortunately does not get the support of society which serves as an additional hurdle.

If you want something that’s in between these two subgenres, go for amateur sleuth, private detective, medical, scientific, forensic, or historical novels. 

Amateur sleuth is a subgenre wherein the detective is not a professional but is investigating a crime for personal reasons. Both the private detective and medical, scientific or forensic subgenres focus on using the protagonist’s expertise in their field in order to solve a crime. 

Lastly, as the name suggests, the historical subgenre is set in the past and the sleuth may be an amateur or professional.

One way to find your latest read is to check reviews online, whether it be on websites, blogs, or YouTube. Fellow bookworms can give you a gist of the story as well as advice on things to look out for when reading the book. However, make sure to check if the review is spoiler-free so that you’ll be able to enjoy the novel. 

It is also important to check the “mystery factor” of the book. Unique storylines which keep you guessing are always a pleasure to read. In line with this, the things to look out for when buying a mystery novel include an attention-grabbing hook, a couple of red herrings, and a satisfying ending.

Although this should not be the sole determining factor when purchasing a book, mystery novels which have won awards can help you trim down your choices. An expert viewpoint on your latest read might be just what you need.

For a more affordable and lightweight option, go for paperbacks. These compact books are also ideal for travelling due to their small size. In addition to that, paperbacks are recommended for people who would just like to read for pleasure.

One downside, however, is that paperbacks can get damaged easily due to the materials used. The paper, glue, and ink used for these books are not as good compared to the ones used for hardbound novels. 

Multitasking while listening to your favorite book is possible with audiobooks! As long as the task does not require intense concentration, you can listen to audiobooks during your own convenient time. Also, listening to audiobooks is a more immersive experience since you’ll be able to listen to the nuances, accents, and emotions of the characters. 

Similar to eBooks, one disadvantage of listening to audiobooks is that it requires a stable power source. Additionally, these novels require larger memory and are more expensive compared to eBooks. Longer books also tend to drag on when you listen to them for a long time.