Literary Mystery Madness

Last year, I published my list of The 112 Best Literary Mysteries and Crime Novels, based on curated lists from The GuardianBook Riot and more, suggestions from readers on Goodreads and Library Thing, and picks from literary mystery authors like Mark Haddon, Jenny Milchman, Laurie R. King and Derek B. Miller.

As with previous lists, the literary mystery edition has inspired much debate amount readers. Nearly every literary mystery fan has a book they think was overrated or wrongly excluded. That’s why I’m giving you the chance to pick your favorite book from the list in the March Madness bracket-style competition of Literary Mystery Madness.

121 books were assigned to one of four brackets and seeded #1 through #31. Higher seeded books were matched head-to-head against lower seeded books (all #1 seeds and three #2 seeds received first-round byes, the other #2 seed will face a #31 seed, #3 seeds will face #30 seeds, #4 seeds will face #29 seeds, and so forth). Each day in March, you will have the chance to vote on the best book in each match-up. The book with the most votes will advance to the next round of voting until one book is left standing (in case of a tie, the higher-ranked book on my list will advance).

Champion

Cover image of The Name of the Rose

The Name of the Rose - Umberto Eco

Brackets (click to enlarge)