Literary theme analysis, by a book like {foo}
Books about Puzzles
The Mystery of the Blue Train
by Agatha Christie
A young woman investigates a murder on the luxurious Blue Train.
Poirot boards Le Train Bleu , bound for the French Riviera . So does Katherine Grey, who is having her first winter out of England, after recently receiving a relatively large inheritance. On board ... (Wikipedia)
The Hound of the Baskervilles
by Arthur Conan Doyle
A thrilling detective story of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they investigate a mysterious murder on the moor.
Dr James Mortimer calls on Sherlock Holmes in London for advice after his friend Sir Charles Baskerville was found dead in the yew alley of his manor on Dartmoor in Devon . The death was attributed ... (Wikipedia)
Curtain
by Agatha Christie
An amateur detective investigates a murder at a country estate, uncovering a mysterious plot.
A specific person is unsuspected of involvement in five murders by both the police and family of the victims. In all cases, there was a clear suspect. Four of these suspects have since died (one of ... (Wikipedia)
Cards on the Table
by Agatha Christie
A detective tale of murder and mystery, as a renowned detective investigates a case of four suspects with cards in their hands.
The mysterious Mr Shaitana hosts an unusual dinner party. His guests include four sleuths – Hercule Poirot, secret agent Colonel Race, mystery writer Mrs Ariadne Oliver, and Superintendent Battle of ... (Wikipedia)
The Big Four
by Agatha Christie
Detective Hercule Poirot investigates a series of murders linked to an international crime syndicate.
Captain Arthur Hastings returns to England after an 18-month-long stay in Argentina . , He intends to visit his old friend Hercule Poirot and is shocked to find Poirot about to leave for South ... (Wikipedia)
Fermat's Enigma
by Simon Singh
Uncovering the centuries-old mathematical mystery of Pierre de Fermat's Last Theorem.
xn + yn = zn, where n represents 3, 4, 5, ...no solution "I have discovered a truly marvelous demonstration of this proposition which this margin is too narrow to contain." With these words, the ... (Goodreads)
The Da Vinci Code
by Dan Brown
A thrilling mystery involving secret societies, hidden clues, and an ancient conspiracy.
Louvre curator and Priory of Sion grand master Jacques Saunière is fatally shot one night at the museum by an albino Catholic monk named Silas, who is working on behalf of someone he knows only as ... (Wikipedia)
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
by Robin Sloan
A young man's exploration of an unusual bookstore, unlocking a world of secrets.
The Great Recession has shuffled Clay Jannon away from life as a San Francisco web-design drone and into the aisles of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, but after a few days on the job, Clay ... (Goodreads)
The Moving Finger
by Agatha Christie
A small village is plagued by anonymous letters that lead to murder. Miss Marple must solve the case before it's too late.
Jerry and Joanna Burton, a brother and sister from London, take residence in a house owned by Miss Barton near the quiet town of Lymstock, for the last phase of Jerry's recovery from injuries ... (Wikipedia)
Malice
by Keigo Higashino
A gripping murder mystery full of unexpected twists and turns.
Acclaimed bestselling novelist Kunihiko Hidaka is found brutally murdered in his home on the night before he's planning to leave Japan and relocate to Vancouver. His body is found in his office, a ... (Goodreads)
Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective
by Donald J. Sobol
A ten-year-old detective solves a variety of mysteries in his small town.
A Civil War sword...A watermelon stabbing... Missing roller skates... A trapeze artist's inheritance... And an eyewitness who's legally blind! Theses are just some of the ten brain-twisting mysteries ... (Goodreads)
Have His Carcase
by Dorothy L. Sayers
Detective investigates a mysterious death on the beach, uncovering a sinister criminal plot.
During a hiking holiday on the South West coast of England, the detective novelist Harriet Vane discovers the body of a man lying on an isolated rock on the shore, not far from the resort of ... (Wikipedia)
The Westing Game
by Ellen Raskin
A mysterious game of wit and skill, with a fortune as the prize.
BE CLASSIC with, The Westing Game, introduced by, New York Times, bestselling author Mac Barnett. A highly inventive mystery begins when sixteen unlikely people gather for the reading of the very ... (Barnes & Noble)
The A.B.C. Murders
by Agatha Christie
A master detective investigates a string of linked murders in a race against time.
Returning from South America, Arthur Hastings meets with his old friend, Hercule Poirot, at his new flat in London. Poirot shows him a mysterious letter he has received, signed "A.B.C.", that details ... (Wikipedia)
Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture: A Novel of Mathematical Obsession
by Apostolos Doxiadis
Uncle Petros, a reclusive mathematician, becomes obsessed with proving Goldbach's Conjecture, leading him down a path of isolation and madness.
In this critically acclaimed international bestseller, Petros Papachristos, a mathematical prodigy, has devoted much of his life trying to prove one of the greatest mathematical challenges of all ... (Goodreads)
Hercule Poirot's Christmas
by Agatha Christie
A murder mystery set during the holiday season, as the renowned detective solves a perplexing case.
Multi-millionaire Simeon Lee, frail in his old age, unexpectedly invites his family to gather at his home for Christmas . The gesture is met with suspicion by the guests. Simeon is not given to warm ... (Wikipedia)
The Final Detail
by Harlan Coben
Myron Bolitar, sports agent and detective, investigates the murder of a former client's wife. The case leads him to confront his own past.
In this sixth novel in the award-winning Myron Bolitar series, Harlan Coben delivers a riveting powerhouse thriller—a twisting mystery of betrayal, family secrets, and murder. Myron Bolitar’s ... (Goodreads)
The Secret of the Old Mill
by Franklin W. Dixon
The Hardy Boys investigate a counterfeiting ring in a spooky old mill. Danger and adventure ensue.
Determined to learn the secret of the old mill, Frank and Joe employ a clever ruse to gain entrance and become trapped. There they unravel two mysteries, one involving a counterfeiting case and the ... (Goodreads)
Think of a Number
by John Verdon
A thrilling mystery novel involving a serial killer, uncovering the truth behind the mysterious deaths.
An extraordinary fiction debut, Think of a Number is an exquisitely plotted novel of suspense that grows relentlessly darker and more frightening as its pace accelerates, forcing its deeply troubled ... (Goodreads)
W is for Wasted
by Sue Grafton
Detective Kinsey Millhone investigates the death of a young woman whose life was ruined by drugs and alcohol.
The narrative is set in Santa Teresa, a small fictional town near the California coast where Kinsey lives and spends time with her elderly landlord. The story, however, takes place in the very real ... (Wikipedia)
The Colorado Kid
by Stephen King
A mysterious, unsolved crime case explored by two newspaper reporters.
Opening, in medias res, as the news staff of The Weekly Islander pays for lunch at a restaurant, editor Dave Bowie and founder Vince Teague test young intern Stephanie McCann's powers of deduction ... (Wikipedia)
The Maze of Bones
by Rick Riordan
An adventure to uncover the truth behind the mysterious Cahill family, and save the world from destruction.
Many of the well-known names in history are said to be part of the real-life Cahill family, making it "the most powerful family in the world." Amy and Dan, the main protagonists, currently live in ... (Wikipedia)
Five Little Pigs
by Agatha Christie
A detective investigates a 15-year-old unsolved murder case, uncovering secrets and lies.
Sixteen years after Caroline Crale is convicted for the murder of her husband Amyas, her daughter Carla Lemarchant approaches Hercule Poirot. In the meeting, Carla claims her mother was innocent, and ... (Wikipedia)
At Bertram's Hotel
by Agatha Christie
An elderly woman investigates a mysterious hotel, uncovering a web of deception and intrigue.
Miss Marple is taking a two-week vacation in London, at Bertram's Hotel, courtesy of her nephew Raymond West . In her youth, she had stayed at this hotel. Since the war , the hotel has been renovated ... (Wikipedia)
The Flanders Panel
by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
A painting restoration expert discovers a hidden message in a 15th-century Flemish painting, leading to a thrilling investigation of a murder mystery.
Julia, an art restorer and evaluator living in Madrid , discovers a painted-over message on a 1471 Flemish masterpiece called La partida de ajedrez ( The Chess Game ) which reads "Quis Necavit ... (Wikipedia)
Sparkling Cyanide
by Agatha Christie
A mysterious death leads to a thrilling investigation to uncover the truth.
One year earlier on 2 November, seven people sat down to dinner at the restaurant "Luxembourg". One, Rosemary Barton, never got up. The coroner ruled her death suicide due to post-flu depression. Six ... (Wikipedia)
By the Pricking of My Thumbs
by Agatha Christie
An elderly couple investigate a suspicious death, uncovering dark secrets in the process.
While visiting Tommy's Aunt Ada at Sunny Ridge Nursing Home, Tuppence encounters some odd residents including Mrs. Lancaster who mystifies her with talk about "your poor child" and "something behind ... (Goodreads)
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma
by Trenton Lee Stewart
Four young children must use their wits and courage to save the world from a dangerous conspiracy.
In the third installment of the Mysterious Benedict Society series, Reynie, Sticky, Kate, Constance, and various loved ones find themselves holed up in Mr. Benedict's house, which is teeming with ... (Wikipedia)
Nemesis
by Agatha Christie
A detective investigates a series of mysterious deaths linked to a nursery rhyme.
In utter disbelief, Jane Marple read the letter addressed to her from the recently deceased Mr Rafiel - an acquaintance she had met briefly while on vacation in St. Honore, as recounted in "A ... (Goodreads)
They Do It with Mirrors
by Agatha Christie
Miss Marple investigates a web of deceit involving a sinister family and a mysterious murder in the countryside.
While visiting her American school friend Ruth Van Rydock in London, Miss Marple learns that Ruth is seriously concerned for her sister Carrie Louise. She asks Miss Marple to visit Carrie Louise at ... (Wikipedia)
Busman's Honeymoon
by Dorothy L. Sayers
A newly married couple must put their honeymoon on pause to solve a murder mystery.
After an engagement of some months following the events at the end of, Gaudy Night, , Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane marry. They plan to spend their honeymoon at Talboys, an old farmhouse in ... (Wikipedia)
The Twelfth Card
by Jeffery Deaver
Detective Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs investigate a case involving a mysterious killer and a secret from the past.
The story starts out in a museum where Geneva Settle, a high-school student in Harlem, is researching information for a paper about her ancestor, Charles Singleton. While she is looking at an old ... (Wikipedia)
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding
by Agatha Christie
Hercule Poirot solves a theft and murder mystery during a Christmas gathering in a country house.
An English country house at Christmas time should be the perfect place to get away from it all - but nothing is ever simple for Hercule Poirot, as he finds not one but five baffling cases to solve. ... (Goodreads)
Math Curse
by Jon Scieszka
A humorous story about a student who wakes up to find everything in her life has turned into a math problem.
The nameless student, begins with a seemingly innocent statement by her math teacher- "you know, almost everything in life can be considered a math problem." The next morning, the hero finds herself ... (Wikipedia)
Chasing Vermeer
by Blue Balliett
An artistic mystery that unravels through a series of clues and puzzles.
The book begins with a mysterious letter that is delivered to three unknown recipients, two women and one man. The letter tells them they are of great need to the sender, but begs them not to tell ... (Wikipedia)
The Man in the Queue
by Josephine Tey
A man is murdered while waiting in a queue, and Inspector Alan Grant must solve the case before the killer strikes again.
Inspector Alan Grant searches for the identity of a man killed in the line at a theater and for the identity of the killer—whom no one saw. A long line had formed for the standing-room-only section ... (Barnes & Noble)
A Caribbean Mystery
by Agatha Christie
A retired detective is called to investigate the murder of a wealthy woman on a Caribbean island.
This story takes place at the Golden Palm resort on the Caribbean island of St Honoré. Miss Marple's nephew has paid for her to holiday there after a bout of ill health. She speaks with Major ... (Wikipedia)
The Beautiful Mystery
by Louise Penny
A priest and a nun join forces to solve a murder shrouded in secrets within a cloistered Quebec monastery.
No outsiders are ever admitted to the monastery of Saint-Gilbert-Entre-les-Loups, hidden deep in the wilderness of Québec, where two dozen cloistered monks live in peace and prayer. Ironically, for a ... (Goodreads)
Last Bus to Woodstock
by Colin Dexter
An Oxford detective unravels a murder mystery in a small town.
Two young women are waiting in Oxford for a bus to the nearby town of Woodstock , and they decide to hitch a lift. Later that night, one of them, Sylvia Kaye, is found murdered and apparently ... (Wikipedia)
The Julius House
by Charlaine Harris
A woman discovers secrets about her new home, uncovering a mysterious past.
Author of the books that inspired, True Blood, on HBO and, Midnight, Texas, on NBC Aurora Teagarden is happily preparing for her wedding to dashing business executive Martin Bartell. As a wedding ... (Barnes & Noble)
Death Note: Another Note - The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases
by NisiOisiN
A prequel to the popular manga series, following the investigation of a serial killer in Los Angeles.
The story is narrated by Mello , a character from the manga. It recounts the time the detective L worked with FBI agent Naomi Misora to stop a violent serial killer. The murderer calls himself ... (Wikipedia)
The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: After Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
by Richard Lancelyn Green
A collection of classic detective stories featuring the iconic sleuth Sherlock Holmes.
This anthology of stories featuring the character of Sherlock Holmes follows on from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories which ended with Holmes at Reichenbach Falls. ... (Goodreads)
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
by Chris Grabenstein
A game of wit and strategy, testing knowledge and problem-solving skills to escape a library.
Twelve-year-old Kyle Keeley is obsessed with the board games of Mr. Luigi L. Lemoncello, the world's most renowned game maker. Big news hits his town when Mr. Lemoncello transforms Alexandriaville, ... (Wikipedia)
The Yellow House Mystery
by Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Alden children investigate a mysterious yellow house in the woods, uncovering secrets and solving a mystery.
Years ago, a man disappeared from the yellow house on Surprise Island. Why? The Aldens have found a clue to the mystery! Adapted from Gertrude Chandler Warner's story of the same name, this early ... (Barnes & Noble)
Partners in Crime
by Agatha Christie
Tommy and Tuppence Beresford solve a series of mysteries with their wit and charm. A delightful and entertaining read.
Tommy and Tuppence Beresford were restless for adventure, so when they were asked to take over Blunt's International Detective Agency, they leapt at the chance. After their triumphant recovery of a ... (Goodreads)
The London Eye Mystery
by Siobhan Dowd
When Ted's cousin Salim disappears from the London Eye, Ted and his sister Kat use their unique perspectives to solve the mystery.
The story begins with Aunt Gloria visiting Ted's family. Ted is a boy with Asperger syndrome. She is accompanied by her son Salim, a half- Asian boy who is about a year older than Ted. People with ... (Wikipedia)
Murder in the Mews
by Agatha Christie
A classic whodunit, exploring a mysterious murder in a London mews.
Librarian's note: this entry is for the collection of four short stories by the author. Entries for each of the stories, including the title one, can be found elsewhere on Goodreads. Are you ready ... (Goodreads)
The Thirteen Problems
by Agatha Christie
A woman seeks to find answers to a series of mysterious crimes, involving a sinister secret society.
The Tuesday Night Club is the name for a varied group of guests who challenge each other to solve recent, and not so recent, crimes. It begins one evening when the group gathers at Miss Marple’s ... (Goodreads)
Hickory Dickory Dock
by Agatha Christie
An investigation into a murder at a nursery school, unravelling a web of conspiracy and deceit.
An outbreak of apparent kleptomania at a student hostel arouses Hercule Poirot's interest when he sees the bizarre list of stolen and vandalised items. These include a stethoscope , some lightbulbs, ... (Wikipedia)
Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book
by Rod Campbell
A young child's search for the perfect pet, exploring animals from around the world.
Rod Campbell’s classic lift-the-flap book Dear Zoo has been a firm favorite with toddlers and parents alike ever since it was first published in 1982. Young readers love lifting the flaps to discover ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Mysterious Benedict Society
by Trenton Lee Stewart
A group of children embark on a dangerous mission to save the world from a mysterious mastermind.
Reynard "Reynie" Muldoon is an orphaned boy who lives in the Stonetown Orphanage. One morning at breakfast, his tutor "Miss Perumal" notices an advertisement in the newspaper targeted towards gifted ... (Wikipedia)
The Mysterious Affair at Styles
by Agatha Christie
Hercule Poirot investigates the murder of wealthy Emily Inglethorp, using his keen detective skills to uncover the culprit.
On the morning of 18 July, the household at Styles Court wakes to the discovery that Emily Inglethorp, the elderly owner, has died. She had been poisoned with strychnine . Arthur Hastings, a soldier ... (Wikipedia)
The Remorseful Day
by Colin Dexter
Inspector Morse's final case, solving the murder of a young woman. A bittersweet ending to a beloved series.
Morse tries to solve the unsolved murder of Yvonne Harrison, as his health deteriorates. Harrison, a nurse, has inspired romantic attachment in Morse during an earlier (and separate) illness, and he ... (Wikipedia)
The Five Red Herrings
by Dorothy L. Sayers
A Scottish murder mystery where the victim is an unpopular artist. Lord Peter Wimsey must solve the case amidst a group of suspicious artists.
During a painting retreat, a killer takes a creative approach to the ancient art of murder... The majestic landscape of the Scottish coast has attracted artists and fishermen for centuries. In the ... (Goodreads)
The Mousetrap and Other Plays
by Agatha Christie
A collection of murder mystery plays, including the famous "The Mousetrap". Each play is full of twists and turns that keep the audience guessing until the end.
This special collection of Agatha Christie's greatest suspense plays includes The Mousetrap (the longest running play in history), Ten Little Indians, Witness for the Prosecution, Appointment with ... (Goodreads)
The Keepsake
by Tess Gerritsen
A woman's investigation of her late mother's past uncovers a shocking family secret.
New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen knows how to expertly dissect a brilliantly suspenseful story, all the while keeping fascinated readers riveted to her side. By turns darkly ... (Goodreads)
The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal
by Lilian Jackson Braun
Feline detective Jim Qwilleran solves a murder mystery involving a cardinal.
Jim Qwilleran and his lovable siamese cats, Koko and Yum-Yum, have moved into an apple barn on the Klingenschoen estate. After a successful closing night on the stage production Henry VIII in the ... (Wikipedia)
The Red House Mystery
by A.A. Milne
A classic whodunit mystery set in an English country house, where a murder takes place during a weekend gathering of guests.
The creator of such beloved storybook characters for children as Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, and Eeyore, A. A. Milne was also the author of numerous dramas, essays, and novels for adults — among them, ... (Goodreads)
The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure
by Hans Magnus Enzensberger
A young boy dreams of a number devil who teaches him the beauty and magic of mathematics.
Robert is a young boy who suffers from mathematical anxiety due to his boredom in school. His mother is Mrs. Wilson. He also experiences recurring dreams —including falling down an endless slide or ... (Wikipedia)
The Blackthorn Key
by Kevin Sands
A young apothecary apprentice and his friend solve a mystery involving alchemy, betrayal, and danger in 17th century London.
Following a series of murders, an apothecary’s apprentice must solve puzzles and decipher codes in pursuit of a secret that could destroy the world in this “spectacular debut” ( Kirkus Reviews , ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Case of the Bizarre Bouquets
by Nancy Springer
Enola Holmes investigates the disappearance of Dr. Watson, while trying to solve the mystery of the bizarre bouquets.
Everyone knows Dr. Watson is Sherlock Holmes' right-hand man—so when he goes missing, it's a shock. Even Sherlock hasn't, well, the slightest clue as to where he could be. Enola is intrigued, but ... (Goodreads)
Edge
by Jeffery Deaver
A young woman with a rare neurological disorder becomes the target of a ruthless killer. Can a paralyzed detective solve the case before it's too late?
Behind the well-known U.S. security organizations—the FBI and CIA among them—lies a heavily guarded, anonymous government agency dedicated to intelligence surveillance and to a highly specialized ... (Barnes & Noble)
The Case of the Left-Handed Lady
by Nancy Springer
Enola Holmes investigates the disappearance of a young noblewoman, Lady Cecily, and uncovers a sinister plot.
Enola's name backwards spells "alone," and alone she is, in the world's biggest, darkest, dirtiest city. She is being hunted down by the world's most famous detective - her own brother, Sherlock ... (Goodreads)
Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics
by Chris Grabenstein
Twelve children compete in a library-themed Olympics, solving puzzles and riddles to win. Mr. Lemoncello's games are full of surprises and excitement.
Welcome, boys and girls, readers of all ages, to the first-ever Library Olympiad! Kyle and his teammates are back, and the world-famous game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, is at it again! This time Mr. ... (Goodreads)
The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline
by Nancy Springer
Enola Holmes investigates the disappearance of a young woman, who was last seen wearing a cryptic crinoline dress.
If you enjoyed this, try uploading your goodreads reviews and seeing what recommendations we can come up with for you.