Mystery Novels Trivia
Mystery Novels trivia explores a genre shaped by 19th-century detective fiction and expanded through golden age puzzles, noir crime stories, and contemporary thrillers. Expect questions that span famous sleuths, landmark books, memorable villains, and surprising plot turns, with a mix of easy, funny, family-friendly, and hard challenges.
Easy Mystery Novels Trivia
13 questions
These easy Mystery Novels trivia questions are great for beginners and kids around age 12 and under.
Question 1
Who is the central character in The Talented Mr. Ripley?
Answer: Tom Ripley
The Talented Mr. Ripley centers on Tom Ripley.
Question 2
Which author created Lord Peter Wimsey?
Answer: Dorothy L. Sayers
Lord Peter Wimsey was created by Dorothy L. Sayers.
Question 3
Nero Wolfe was created by which writer?
Answer: Rex Stout
Rex Stout created the detective Nero Wolfe.
Question 4
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series is set in which country?
Answer: Botswana
The series is set in Botswana.
Question 5
Ian Rankin's Rebus novels are closely associated with which city?
Answer: Edinburgh
Rebus is strongly identified with Edinburgh.
Question 6
Miss Marple is especially linked to which village?
Answer: St Mary Mead
Miss Marple is closely associated with the village of St Mary Mead.
Question 7
Donna Leon's Commissario Brunetti novels take place in which famous Italian city?
Answer: Venice
The Commissario Brunetti novels are set in Venice.
Question 8
In mystery fiction, what kind of story gives readers enough clues to solve the case themselves?
Answer: Fair-play mystery
A fair-play mystery aims to let readers solve the case from the clues provided.
Question 9
What year was The Big Sleep first published?
Answer: 1939
The Big Sleep was first published in 1939.
Question 10
The phrase Golden Age of Detective Fiction usually refers to which decades?
Answer: The 1920s and 1930s
The Golden Age commonly refers to the interwar decades of the 1920s and 1930s.
Question 11
Who created Inspector Montalbano?
Answer: Andrea Camilleri
Inspector Montalbano was created by Andrea Camilleri.
Question 12
Which writer created Inspector Morse?
Answer: Colin Dexter
Inspector Morse was created by Colin Dexter.
Question 13
Who wrote The Devotion of Suspect X?
Answer: Keigo Higashino
The Devotion of Suspect X was written by Keigo Higashino.
Mystery Novels Family Trivia
12 questions
These family Mystery Novels trivia questions are built for mixed-age game nights, classrooms, and groups.
Question 1
Who created the famous detective Sherlock Holmes?
Answer: Arthur Conan Doyle created Sherlock Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes was created by Arthur Conan Doyle.
Question 2
What moorland setting is closely linked with The Hound of the Baskervilles?
Answer: The Hound of the Baskervilles is set on and around Dartmoor.
The novel's setting is on and around Dartmoor.
Question 3
Raymond Chandler's detective Philip Marlowe usually works his cases in which city?
Answer: Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe stories are primarily set in Los Angeles.
Philip Marlowe stories are primarily set in Los Angeles.
Question 4
In mystery fiction, what do you call an investigator who is not a professional detective or police officer?
Answer: That investigator is called an amateur sleuth.
An amateur sleuth investigates without working is a professional detective or police officer.
Question 5
Which kind of mystery usually keeps violence less graphic and often features an amateur sleuth?
Answer: A cozy mystery typically minimizes graphic violence and often features an amateur sleuth.
Cozy mysteries are known for lighter content and often center on an amateur sleuth.
Question 6
Which mystery style is usually known for a tougher tone than cozy mysteries?
Answer: Hardboiled detective fiction is commonly associated with a tougher tone than cozy mysteries.
Hardboiled detective fiction is generally associated with a tougher tone.
Question 7
What type of mystery centers on a crime that seems physically impossible at first glance?
Answer: A locked-room mystery centers on a crime that seems physically impossible under the apparent circumstances.
Locked-room mysteries are built around an apparently impossible crime.
Question 8
If a story focuses on investigative methods used by law enforcement, what kind of mystery is it?
Answer: It is a police procedural.
A police procedural emphasizes the methods used by law enforcement during an investigation.
Question 9
Who created the detective Philip Marlowe?
Answer: Raymond Chandler created Philip Marlowe.
Philip Marlowe was created by Raymond Chandler.
Question 10
Who wrote The Moonstone, a landmark mystery title?
Answer: Wilkie Collins wrote The Moonstone.
The Moonstone was written by Wilkie Collins.
Question 11
Behind the mask, who is Spider-Man in his everyday life?
Answer: Spider-Man's civilian identity is Peter Parker.
Spider-Man's civilian identity is Peter Parker.
Question 12
On what island are the visions of Revelation traditionally linked?
Answer: Patmos is the island linked with the visions of Revelation.
The visions of Revelation are linked with the island of Patmos.
Fun Mystery Novels Trivia
13 questions
These fun Mystery Novels trivia questions highlight surprising moments and playful facts for game-night groups.
Question 1
If a novelâs whole game is making you guess the culprit, what kind of mystery is it called?
Answer: A whodunit
A whodunit emphasizes discovering the identity of the culprit.
Question 2
What mystery term means a clue thatâs basically trying to send you down the wrong hallway?
Answer: A red herring
In mystery fiction, a red herring is a misleading clue meant to distract from the truth.
Question 3
Which informal nickname fits a private investigator with a trench coat and too many questions?
Answer: Private eye
Private eye is an informal term for a private investigator.
Question 4
What common informal word can describe a detective hot on the trail?
Answer: Sleuth
Sleuth is a common informal term for a detective.
Question 5
Agatha Christie sent a murder investigation rolling across what famous train in a classic novel?
Answer: The Orient Express
Murder on the Orient Express centers on a killing aboard a long-distance train.
Question 6
In which novel are the characters stranded on an isolated island, making escape about as likely as a polite confession?
Answer: And Then There Were None
And Then There Were None strands its characters on an isolated island.
Question 7
Which detective novel by Dashiell Hammett has one of the most famous bird-related titles in crime fiction?
Answer: The Maltese Falcon
The Maltese Falcon is a detective novel by Dashiell Hammett.
Question 8
Who wrote the twisty modern mystery-thriller Gone Girl?
Answer: Gillian Flynn
Gillian Flynn wrote Gone Girl.
Question 9
Who wrote the Millennium trilogy?
Answer: Stieg Larsson
Stieg Larsson wrote the Millennium trilogy.
Question 10
Which author wrote The Name of the Rose?
Answer: Umberto Eco
Umberto Eco wrote The Name of the Rose.
Question 11
What television mystery series starred Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher?
Answer: Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote is a television mystery series starring Angela Lansbury is Jessica Fletcher.
Question 12
Which writer created private investigator Kinsey Millhone?
Answer: Sue Grafton
Sue Grafton created the detective Kinsey Millhone.
Question 13
Sam Spade was created by which author?
Answer: Dashiell Hammett
Dashiell Hammett created the detective Sam Spade.
Funny Mystery Novels Trivia
13 questions
These funny Mystery Novels trivia questions highlight playful moments, odd facts, and inside jokes.
Question 1
If Carlos Ruiz ZafĂłn's The Shadow of the Wind mailed you a postcard, which city would be on the stamp?
Answer: Barcelona
The Shadow of the Wind is set in Barcelona.
Question 2
Nero Wolfe solves crimes without leaving home much, but what city is that home famously in?
Answer: New York City
Nero Wolfe is famously based in New York City.
Question 3
Angels & Demons sends readers sprinting through which city, presumably in very sensible shoes?
Answer: Rome
Angels & Demons is primarily set in Rome.
Question 4
V. I. Warshawski is based in which cityâdefinitely not the one with the Golden Gate Bridge?
Answer: Chicago
V. I. Warshawski is based in Chicago, not San Francisco.
Question 5
A big chunk of Stieg Larsson's Millennium series unfolds in which Scandinavian capital?
Answer: Stockholm
Much of the Millennium series is set in Stockholm.
Question 6
Which Daphne du Maurier novel wears a Gothic coat while still sneaking in strong mystery elements?
Answer: Rebecca
Rebecca is a Gothic novel with strong mystery elements by Daphne du Maurier.
Question 7
Which title is often rolled out as one of the early detective novels in English, like a proud literary ancestor?
Answer: The Moonstone
The Moonstone is often cited is an early detective novel in English.
Question 8
Jo Nesbø's Harry Hole has to deal with what chilly-sounding title?
Answer: The Snowman
The Snowman is a Harry Hole novel by Jo Nesbø.
Question 9
If you took a wrong turn and ended up in Madrid, which novel's setting have you definitely missed?
Answer: The Shadow of the Wind
The Shadow of the Wind is set in Barcelona, not Madrid.
Question 10
Which detective is most associated with New York City rather than, say, a quiet farm with no suspects at all?
Answer: Nero Wolfe
Nero Wolfe is famously based in New York City.
Question 11
If a thriller tour guide promises Angels & Demons but books your hotel in Venice, which city should you have expected instead?
- A.Naples
- B.Florence
- C.Turin
- D.Rome
Answer: Rome
Angels & Demons is primarily set in Rome.
Question 12
True or false: V. I. Warshawski is based in San Francisco.?
Answer: False
This is false; V. I. Warshawski is based in Chicago, not San Francisco.
Question 13
Much of the Millennium series hangs around which city, proving suspense also likes good urban planning?
Answer: Stockholm
Much of Stieg Larsson's Millennium series is set in Stockholm.
Hard Mystery Novels Trivia
14 questions
These hard Mystery Novels trivia questions are for expert fans who want a real challenge.
Question 1
Before codes, clues, and conspiracies take over, which Paris museum is the murder site that opens The Da Vinci Code?
Answer: The Louvre.
The Da Vinci Code begins with a murder at the Louvre in Paris.
Question 2
Name the exact institution where the opening killing in The Da Vinci Code takes place.?
Answer: The Louvre.
The novel opens with a murder at the Louvre in Paris.
Question 3
Tana Frenchâs Dublin Murder Squad novels revolve around cases in and around which city?
Answer: Dublin.
The series is set in and around Dublin.
Question 4
The geographic anchor for the Dublin Murder Squad books is not rural Ireland broadly, but what specific city and its surroundings?
Answer: Dublin.
These novels are set in and around Dublin.
Question 5
What kind of mystery typically traps a murder inside an isolated estate with only a limited pool of suspects?
Answer: A country-house mystery.
A country-house mystery often features an isolated estate and a finite suspect list.
Question 6
If a novelâs murder occurs on an isolated estate where everyone present is a possible culprit, what mystery form fits best?
- A.A courtroom mystery
- B.A caper novel
- C.country-house mystery
- D.A noir thriller
Answer: A country-house mystery.
That setup matches the defining pattern of a country-house mystery.
Question 7
Pin the publication date: Strangers on a Train first appeared in which year?
Answer: 1950.
Strangers on a Train was published in 1950.
Question 8
Which year belongs on a first-edition label for Strangers on a Train?
Answer: 1950.
Its publication year is 1950.
Question 9
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo first reached readers in what language?
Answer: Swedish.
The novel was originally published in Swedish.
Question 10
Before translation carried it worldwide, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was originally published in which language?
- A.Icelandic
- B.French
- C.Swedish
- D.Danish
Answer: Swedish.
Its original publication language was Swedish.
Question 11
Which mystery novel is set in a medieval monastery and blends detective elements with historical fiction?
Answer: The Name of the Rose.
The Name of the Rose is set in a medieval monastery and combines mystery with historical fiction.
Question 12
If the murder investigation unfolds inside a medieval monastery and the book also functions as historical fiction, what title are you reading?
Answer: The Name of the Rose.
That exact combination identifies The Name of the Rose.
Question 13
What structural device does Gone Girl use for much of its narrative?
Answer: Alternating spouse perspectives.
Gone Girl uses alternating spouse perspectives for much of the book.
Question 14
Gone Girl keeps readers off balance largely by shifting between whose viewpoints?
- A.Two police detectives
- B.A reporter and a suspect
- C.A lawyer and a judge
- D.The spousesâ viewpoints.
Answer: The spousesâ viewpoints.
Its narrative alternates between spouse perspectives for much of the story.
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