From: RayDyn | #007
Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov
The Naked Sun by Isaac Asimov
Doubly recommend it. Asimov is amazing at both sci-fi and mystery. His plotting is something not many sci-fi writers have and it's really wonderful.
From: shadosneko | #009
Haguile: I'm sure I know what the answer is, but do you think you should try to figure out the mystery on your own when you read those books you posted?
Also, which do you think would be most good for a "beginner"?
Yes, you should, in my personal opinion. Mystery novels are more fun that way. Ellery Queen out of those even has a moment when he breaks the fourth wall to present a "Challenge to the reader" where he says that all clues have been presented and the reader is now invited to solve it.
For "beginners" trying to solve mystery novels, I'd recommend:
1)Benson Murder Case by Van Dine(No copyright by now so you can legally obtain a PDF pretty much anywhere).
This novel is pretty easy to solve, as the detective solves the murder around chapter 5 out of 25. The reader can also solve it around then. That's why mystery readers generally think it's a bit too easy, myself included. But it's still a very decent novel. The other 20 chapters involve the detective being a dick to the district attorney and refusing to tell him the solution.
2)Roman Hat Mysery by Ellery Queen
Also very simple and easy, but better written than Benson. No idea on whether it's copyrighted still or not. This one also features the "Challenge to the reader" where the book breaks the fourth wall to tell the reader that he has seen all the clues he needs to find the killer. Due to both its very strong logic, easy mystery and "Challenge to the reader" this is the best book for beginners.
3)And So To Murder by John Dickson Carr
This is a pretty easy mystery, not really a masterpiece or anything. But it's goddamn fun to read. It had be legitimately laughing out loud at times and it really makes you want to turn the page and keep reading the story. See, the above two are great mysteries but they lack in plot. Carr was great in that all of his novels had some pretty fun plots to go with the mysteries. This plot is delightful to read, and the writing style Carr uses here is sort of like "Princess Bride as a murder mystery" if that makes sense.
4)He Who Whispers by John Dickson Carr
This one, unlike the other three, is pretty hard to solve. It has a very creepy supernatural atmosphere and offers impossible crime after impossible crime, eventually asking the main character(and the reader) whether the culprit is supernatural or not. It's basically what Umineko tried to be, but much better. This is a novel I'd recommend for beginners because even if they "lose" they'll have an amazing experience and they'll be motivated to try harder next time to solve the puzzle.