“The family is truly desperate. And when people get desperate, the knives come out.”
Knives Out has been one of the most successful stories in recent times. One of the most-watched Netflix films, Knives Out and its sequel, Glass Onion, features a star-studded cast, glitzy backdrops and a whole host of clever twists and turns that keep an audience guessing throughout! And whilst Knives isn’t based on a book, there are still a number of great murder mysteries in the literary world for fans to enjoy once they’ve finished watching the films. Join us here at What We Reading for the best books like Knives Out!
The Thursday Murder Club – Richard Osman
The first entry in Richard Osman’s New York Times bestselling series, The Thursday Murder Club introduces readers to four friends in a sleepy village who meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders.
Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron are all north of retirement age, however, when a grizzly crime occurs right on their doorstep, they relish the opportunity of solving their first-ever live case. For a murder mystery book that matches the charm of Knives Out with a set of characters who aren’t all as they first seem, The Thursday Murder Club is an absolute go-to.
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One Of Us Is Lying – Karen M. McManus
Another book that made a splash on the back of its successful Netflix adaptation like Knives Out, One Of Us Is Lying is the #1 New York Times bestseller from Karen M. McManus. Heralded as “Pretty Little Liars meets The Breakfast Club” by Entertainment Weekly, the story is set in Bayview High with five students attending detention.
But, when only four of them walk out of the school alive, secrets are revealed that paint all of them in a suspicious light. What makes One Of Us Is Lying such a great follow-up to Knives Out for the Netflix generation especially is the vibrancy in its characters. All the suspects involved in Simon’s death have hidden motivations, making this a thrilling and fast-paced murder mystery for readers to sink their teeth into.
Devil In A Blue Dress – Walter Mosley
Walter Mosley is one of the best American crime writers, and the Easy Rawlins mystery series is easily amongst his best. The series’ first entry is Devil In A Blue Dress and is set in the neo-noir setting of post-WWII USA.
Readers follow Easy Rawlins, a war veteran and private investigator drinking in his friend’s bar when he is offered good money from a white man in a linen suit. Tasked with finding the blonde beauty Miss Daphne Monet, Devil In A Blue Dress is the perfect book like Knives Out for a period investigative story where there are secrets lurking behind every chapter.
The Guest List – Lucy Foley
In Lucy Foley’s The Guest List, wealthy friends arrive on a remote Irish island to attend a wedding. No expense has been spared, however, a sudden storm leaves all the party members stranded, and their dark secrets are gradually brought to light. But, when one of the members dies, this celebratory occasion is thrown into a potentially deadly whodunnit.
Featuring a group of wealthy, seemingly well-polished individuals, brought together for what is supposed to be a happy occasion, only for things to spiral out of control. Featuring a glamorous, yet undeniably eerie setting, Foley is a master at keeping readers guessing who the actual killer really is.
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A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder – Holly Jackson
Another thrilling murder mystery bestseller, Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder tells the story of an investigation turning into a toxic obsession. Set in the town of Fairview, the plot revolves around the murder of Andie Bell, a pretty and popular senior who was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal, before he committed suicide.
Readers follow Pip, a senior herself, who knew Sal during her childhood. Doubting that her old friend could have committed this crime, she begins reexamining the crime, digging up Fairview’s murky history and discovering that some people might not want the truth to be known.
One By One – Ruth Ware
One of the best British thriller authors of her generation, Ruth Ware’s One By One is a claustrophobic New York Times bestseller. In it, readers follow a group of trendy tech workers getting snowed in at a luxurious ski chalet nestled in the French Alps.
In true murder mystery fashion, the picturesque setting gives way to a slow-burning rise in tension as each character is revealed to have plenty of things to hide and plenty of things to gain from one another. This gradual revealing of loyalties and factions is perfect for any fan of Knives Out, and there is definitely more than enough in the caved-in setting for them to feel at home with.
Pretty As A Picture – Elizabeth Little
For a thriller novel that captures the cinematic feel of a murder mystery like Knives Out, look no further than Elizabeth Little’s Pretty As A Picture. The story follows film editor Marissa Dahl who travels to a remote island off the coast of Delaware to collaborate on a project with famed director Tony Rees. However, upon her arrival, it doesn’t take Marissa long to realise all is not as it seems. A series of accidents, scandals and intrigue lead to her becoming more and more enthralled by the murder her film is based on.
Teaming up with a group of teenagers, she soon discovers there may well be a killer on the loose, and closer than she would like. Stacked full of wit, Pretty As A Picture is a captivating page-turner that taps into our obsessions with murder mysteries in a way any Knives Out fan will find themselves resonating with.
Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone – Benjamin Stevenson
For a murder mystery that captures the darkly comedic side to life and death like Knives Out, Benjamin Stevenson’s Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone is a great pick. Everyone in the Cunningham Family has killed someone before, so when a dead body disrupts their reunion, every member is naturally a suspect. Taking a twist on the traditional formula for the genre, Stevenson’s story is bold, quirky and delivered at a pace that any film fan will enjoy.
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
