Edgar Allan Poe quote.
Mystery books do not represent a literary genre in the strict sense of the term. Although the best-known titles with this qualifier belong to detective novels, texts of a surreal nature must also be taken into account. Nor can the science fiction classics starring terrifying figures (Draculaby Bram Stoker, for example).
In general, texts in which the reader is not sure what is happening are highly addictive. It's more, Most of the best-selling authors in history have been adept at constructing intricate mysteries. Such is the case of the immortal feathers of Edgar Allan Poe or Agatha Christie. In more recent times, Stephen King, Stieg Larsson and Dan Brown, among others, stand out.
The best mystery books
Below is a select list of mystery literary works:
The black cat (1843), by Edgar Allan Poe
Poe is considered a pioneer within different literary genres, especially in the detective novel and the short story. Equally, with The black cat This American writer demonstrated his genius in handling psychological terror. That masterful mix of horror plus mental disturbance resulted in one of the scariest tales of all time (if not the most).
Synopsis
The domestic daily life of a young married couple and their pet (a black cat) passes with complete tranquility. But the harmony of the home begins to alter because the husband falls into the clutches of alcohol. Consequently, this man develops symptoms of sadistic dementia at the same rate that his addiction is exacerbated and he begins to feel persecuted.
The dangerous paranoid picture of the protagonist leads to the murder of the feline. Eventually, a merely transitory peace returns. Well, the appearance of a second cat unhinges the protagonist again. The final consequence is a truly shocking and shocking denouement.
Dracula (1897), by Bram Stoker
Context and influence on contemporary culture
The influence of the most famous vampire in the world has transcended from the time of the publication of this epistolary novel until today. This is evident from the innumerable theatrical, film and television adaptations of the legend of the Count Transylvanian. Notably, Stoker did not invent the myth.
Apparently the Irish author was inspired to write the story after a conversation with a prominent Hungarian intellectual, Arminius Vámbéry. Who described a certain Vlad Drăculea, who is not related to Vlad III, prince of Wallachia during the fifteenth century. Although, Stoker relied on various traits of Vlad III - known as "the impaler" - to build his bloodsucking persona.
Synopsis
Jonathan Harker, a young British lawyer, arrives at Count Dracula's castle in Transylvania. At first, the lawyer is welcomed as a guest, but is caught after discovering the ruthless nature of his host. After a while, Dracula travels to London in a box with Transylvanian soil. In the British capital he begins to collect victims and turn damsels into vampires.
Among them, Lucy, Harker's fiancée. The latter barely manages to escape from the count's castle. For this reason, Dr. Van Helsing appears on the scene with his assistants with the mission of killing the vampire. Nevertheless, Dracula manages to escape from London and return to his homeland, where he is finally executed after a long and terrifying persecution..
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Ten bold (1939), by Agatha Christie
Probably And Then There Were None (And there were none left - original title in English) is Agatha Christie's most elaborate and exciting work. In fact, Ten bold It is, to date, the best-selling book by the English writer (more than 100 million units). This is saying a lot within the literary career of an author considered a precursor of the detective genre.
Plot and synopsis
Agatha Christie
Eight people accept an irresistible invitation to spend a holiday on the beautiful island of Negro (not his real name), off the coast of England. It is a dreamlike landscape dominated by a large mansion of an unknown owner in the middle of an islet. Upon arrival, guests are not greeted by the hosts —Mr. and Mrs. Owen — but for her kind servants (the Rogers couple).
Then the guests get on the wall of their respective rooms a transcription of the song “Diez Negritos”. Later, during dinner, diners observe ten porcelain figures (negritos) on the dining room counter. Also, a tape is played accusing everyone present - including the servants - of having committed a crime in the past.
And there were none left ...
One by one the people in the house are being wiped out by a stealthy killer. Along with each death, one of the porcelain blacks disappears. As the hectic and stressful action nears resolution, it is clear to survivors that the killer is among them. However, it is a stormy night ... no one can escape the island.
The fog (1980), by Stephen King
The Mist —Original title in English— is one of the most iconic works of the XNUMXth century “master of terror”, Stephen King. Input, the reader of this novel is hooked with the description of a thick fog that covers the town of Brigton, Maine, USA. This atmospheric phenomenon occurs during a morning after an intense night electrical storm.
In addition, the poor visibility derived from the fog brought with it the appearance of monstrous creatures that attack people in their home. In this context, the controversial and disturbed protagonists of this story remain sheltered inside a supermarket. There, they begin to elucidate that perhaps the origin of the monsters could have been a failed military experiment.
Men who did not love women (2005), by Stieg Larsson
This book is the first in the acclaimed Millennium trilogy (published post mortem) by Swedish writer Stieg Larsson. It is a crime novel starring the journalist Mikael Blomkvist, who is accused of defaming the magnate Hans-Erik Wennerström. Then - taking advantage of the difficult situation - Henrik Vanger (an important Swedish businessman) offers a pact to the journalist.
In exchange for relevant information on Wennerström, Mikael must produce a Vanger studbook. Further, Blomkvist has to solve the puzzling 1966 disappearance of Harriet, Henrik's niece. As the journalist progresses in his investigation, some evidence of the Harriet trail and the Nazi past of some members of the Vanger family are revealed.
The Da Vinci Code (2003), by Dan Brown
This title marked a turning point in the career of American writer Dan Brown. Its content generated quite a controversy because of its passages on the Holy Grail and Opus Dei. Specifically, the statements in the text about the role of Mary Magdalene within Christianity caused the repudiation of the Catholic Church.
The aforementioned circumstances significantly increased the public's curiosity towards this work. At the moment, It is one of the best-selling books of the new millennium internationally thanks to its more than 80 million copies sold. As if that were not enough, the double Oscar winner, Tom Hanks, plays the protagonist in the film adaptation.
Argument
The text narrates the research of Robert Langdon —Harvard professor expert in theological iconography— around the strange murder of Jacques Saunière, curator of the Louvre museum. His ally in this case is the French agent Sophie Neveu, the deceased's niece.
Together they will live a dizzying journey from Paris to London in search of answers. Nevertheless, the closer they are to solving all the enigmas posed, the threats become more dangerous. The reason: the secret to be revealed has the power to unleash a seism in the whole conception of the history of Christianity.
From this list I really liked "The Black Cat" and "The Da Vinci Code" are magnificent.
-Gustavo Woltmann.
At least "Ten negritos" is well considered in the literary environment. The plot is a work of art. And "The Da Vinci Code", the novel, not the movie, could not be more addictive.