8 Mystery Books That Need To Become TV Shows

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Lots of mystery novels could make great TV shows, and here are eight of the most promising. With so many captivating mystery shows already on television, audiences clearly love the thrill of trying to solve a puzzle. The best stories keep you guessing right up until the final reveal.

There are a lot of mystery shows already, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy even more! With several promising book adaptations on the way, it got us thinking about other great books that would make fantastic TV series.

With countless great mystery books available, these eight stories stand out as having strong potential to be adapted into hit TV series.

8. The Chill by Ross McDonald

Ross McDonald is a brilliant crime novelist, and his book The Chill, a classic neo-noir mystery, would make a great TV series. The story centers on detective Lew Archer, who is initially hired to track down a woman who has left her wedding. But the case quickly becomes much more complex when Archer uncovers a murder, potentially linked to cold cases from years ago.

McDonald’s novel, The Chill, is a standout mystery. It’s full of surprising twists and turns that will keep readers hooked, and the final reveal feels satisfying and well-deserved – something you don’t always get in this genre.

Beyond being a gripping story, The Chill would make a great TV show because it explores complex family dynamics. The relationships within the Kincaid family are intricate, and a television adaptation would allow for a thorough and nuanced portrayal of those connections.

7. Liar, Dreamer, Thief by Maria Dong

I just finished reading Maria Dong’s Liar, Dreamer, Thief, and wow, it really pulled me in! It’s a mystery, but it’s not quite like anything I’ve read before. The story is told by someone who isn’t quite sure what’s real, which makes it super intriguing and kept me guessing the whole time. Honestly, I think this would make an amazing TV series – I can already picture it!

Katrina Kim is struggling – she’s broke, estranged from her family, and lives with obsessive-compulsive disorder. She’s also been secretly following her colleague, Kurt. When Kurt discovers she’s been stalking him, Katrina is devastated to find him at the Cayatoga Bridge, where he tragically takes his own life, seemingly blaming her. Now, Katrina is determined to uncover the truth behind what really happened.

This story is fast-paced and compelling enough to be adapted for television. What really stands out is the character of Katrina – she feels incredibly real, because she’s flawed and imperfect, which makes her relatable and easy to root for.

6. You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego

Ande Pliego’s You Are Fatally Invited is clearly inspired by the works of Agatha Christie, but it also brings a unique and modern twist to the classic mystery style. It’s a compelling story that would work wonderfully as a television series.

A group of thriller writers gathers at the remote mansion of a celebrated author for a writing retreat. The host, Mila, intends to kill one particular guest, but when someone else turns up dead, she realizes she’s surrounded by killers. Now, she must uncover which one of them is the murderer.

The story clearly draws inspiration from Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, but it feels fresh and original. The mystery is just as intricate, but with a heightened sense of suspense and fear. The writing style is already very visual, making it well-suited for adaptation into a film or TV series. Furthermore, the book tackles relevant, contemporary issues that would appeal to a modern audience.

5. The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare by Kimberly Brock

Although many books explore this topic, The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare by Kimberly Brock uniquely blends historical fiction with a mystery, reimagining the story of the lost Roanoke Colony and attempting to solve what happened to its settlers.

The story centers on Alice, a young widow and a descendant of Eleanor Dare from the lost Roanoke colony. As a teen, she dismissed a family book revealing the truth about what happened to Roanoke. Years later, after World War II, she and her daughter, Penn, return to their long-abandoned family home, forcing Alice to confront her family history.

While The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare didn’t quite deliver on its promise, it has a lot of strong elements and could make a really good TV series. It just needs a showrunner willing to revise the story and bring those elements to life.

4. The Night Shift By Alex Finlay

Alex Finlay is famous for his horror novel, Final Girls, but his most captivating work – and a perfect candidate for a TV adaptation – is the mystery-thriller The Night Shift. It’s a gripping, page-turner that will genuinely leave you wondering who committed the crimes.

The story begins with a brutal attack at a Blockbuster Video store in Linden, New Jersey, on New Year’s Eve 1999, leaving only one teenage girl alive. Fifteen years later, a similar tragedy strikes Linden when a group of teens working at an ice cream shop are killed, with a single survivor. The book follows the investigation as people try to uncover the truth behind these horrific events.

I truly believe The Night Shift would make an amazing TV show, and it all starts with the story itself. It dives deep into the effects of trauma, which is a really important topic that hasn’t always been handled well on television. Plus, the book is full of incredible characters – they’re all so vital to the plot and each one brings a unique perspective. That kind of diversity would make for a really compelling show, not just a story told from one angle.

3. Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

Tiffany D. Jackson is a skilled storyteller who creates gripping, frightening tales that tackle meaningful issues, and her books are hard to stop reading. A great example is her 2018 novel, Monday’s Not Coming, a slow-burn mystery for young adults that is deeply moving and stays with you long after you finish it.

Monday and Claudia Coleman are the closest of friends. When Monday stops writing over the summer, Claudia becomes worried. Her fears grow when school starts and Monday doesn’t appear, having disappeared from school records and disconnected her phone. Claudia is determined to find out what happened to her best friend.

“Monday’s Not Coming” is a challenging but powerful book that shows the tougher, more realistic experiences of childhood. The story reveals a difficult truth about Monday that isn’t often portrayed in media. It’s a vital story that deserves to be told on television.

2. Now You See Me by Sharon Bolton

Sharon Bolton’s detective novel, Now You See Me, is a thrilling addition to the Lacey Flint series and would make a fantastic movie. The story centers around Detective Lacey Flint as she investigates a perplexing case that unexpectedly hits close to home.

Detective Lacey Flint discovers a young woman who has been stabbed, and the next day, a letter arrives claiming responsibility for the murder. The letter is written in the style of Jack the Ripper and, disturbingly, specifically names Lacey. She has only five days to catch the copycat killer before they strike again.

Now You See Me is a gripping and fast-paced thriller that’s hard to stop reading. The clever mystery and engaging characters really draw you in, and it feels like a story perfectly suited for a television adaptation.

1. Eve Duncan books by Iris Johansen

The Eve Duncan novels by Iris Johansen are a popular mystery-thriller series – there are 25 books out so far! I’m a big fan and would love to see the strong, intelligent main character adapted into a TV series. But it’s not just my personal preference; these books are perfectly suited for television.

Eve Duncan is a forensic sculptor who uses her skills to help solve crimes. Each book generally focuses on a new case, though some storylines and villains reappear. Many of the books featuring Eve Duncan, such as Blood Game and The Search, read more like screenplays than novels.

Iris Johansen crafts intricate stories filled with compelling characters, unexpected plot twists, and plenty of action. Her character, Eve Duncan, is particularly well-developed – she’s flawed and relatable, yet possesses remarkable strengths that make her a captivating protagonist. This series has all the elements needed to achieve the same level of success as popular crime dramas like Bones, Bosch, and Cross.

2025-11-27 23:43