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The Legendary Poirot Series — Agatha ChristieThe Sherlock Holmes Series — Arthur Conan DoyleThe Millennium Series — Stieg LarssonThe Harry Hole Series — Jo NesbøThe Cormoran Strike Series — Robert GalbraithThe Inspector Gamache Series — Louise PennyThe John Rebus Series — Ian RankinThe Robert Langdon Series — Dan BrownThe Thursday Murder Club Series — Richard OsmanThe Rizzoli and Isles Series — Tess Gerritsen“The Big Sleep” — Raymond Chandler“Gone Girl” by Gillian FlynnThe Bill Hodges Trilogy — Stephen King
This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
Detective fiction is one of the most popular book genres in the world. Captivating investigations, mysterious crimes, and charismatic detectives keep readers turning page after page until the very resolution. It is especially interesting when the story is not limited to one book but transforms into a full-fledged series, where the characters develop and the world becomes increasingly deeper.
We have gathered several iconic detective series that have gained worldwide popularity and, importantly for Ukrainian readers, are published in Ukrainian.
The Legendary Poirot Series — Agatha Christie
Hercule Poirot Agatha Christie
One of the most famous detectives in world literature — a Belgian with impeccable manners and legendary "little grey cells." Poirot solves cases not through force or chases, but through logic, psychology, and attention to detail.
The series contains dozens of novels, including classic works such as "Murder on the Orient Express", "Death on the Nile", and "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd". Many books about Poirot have been translated into Ukrainian and are regularly reissued.
The Sherlock Holmes Series — Arthur Conan Doyle
Sherlock Holmes Arthur Conan Doyle
Probably the most famous detective of all time. A genius of deduction who, along with his friend Dr. Watson, investigates the most convoluted crimes in Victorian London.
The stories about Sherlock Holmes have become the basis for dozens of adaptations, series, and films. Despite the fact that the first texts appeared as early as the late 19th century, they still read remarkably modern.
In Ukrainian, both individual novellas and complete collections of stories are available.
The Millennium Series — Stieg Larsson
Millennium Series Stieg Larsson
Scandinavian noir that became a global phenomenon. The central characters of the series are journalist Mikael Blomkvist and mysterious hacker Lisbeth Salander.
The first book — "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" — instantly became a bestseller. The series combines detective fiction, political thriller, and social drama, touching on themes of corruption, violence, and media.
The books in the series have been translated into Ukrainian and are very popular among readers.
Here is what the series consists of:
- "The Men Who Hate Women" (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)
- "The Girl Who Played with Fire"
- "The Exploded Air Castle"
The Harry Hole Series — Jo Nesbø
Harry Hole Series Jo Nesbø
Another bright representative of Scandinavian detective fiction. Harry Hole is a talented but troubled detective from the Oslo police, who often breaks the rules and has a complicated personal life.
Nesbø's books combine atmospheric thrillers, psychological tension, and very unexpected plot twists. The series has become one of the most popular in the modern detective genre.
Many novels about Harry Hole have been published in Ukrainian.
The Cormoran Strike Series — Robert Galbraith
Cormoran Strike J. K. Rowling Robert Galbraith
Under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith writes the author of "Harry Potter," J.K. Rowling. At the center of the series is private detective Cormoran Strike, a war veteran from Afghanistan, and his partner Robin Ellacott.
The series is distinguished by atmospheric descriptions of London, complex characters, and detailed investigations. Each book reveals not only the crime but also the personal lives of the characters, which gradually develop from book to book.
All novels in the series have been translated into Ukrainian and are published by KSD and KM-Books.
- “The Cuckoo’s Calling”
- “The Silkworm”
- “Career of Evil”
- “Lethal White”
- “Troubled Blood”
- “The Ink Black Heart”
- “The Running Grave”
- “The Hallmarked Man”
The Inspector Gamache Series — Louise Penny
Inspector Gamache Series Louise Penny
This series is known for its atmosphere. The events often take place in the fictional Canadian village of Three Pines, where, despite the quiet and cozy atmosphere, mysterious crimes regularly occur.
Inspector Armand Gamache is an intelligent, attentive, and very humane detective who investigates cases not only through logic but also through an understanding of human nature.
In Ukraine, the series is translated by the publishing house KSD. Currently, the first 4 books have been published in Ukrainian, which can also be purchased as a complete set.
- "Still Life" (Still Life)
- "A Fatal Grace" (A Fatal Grace)
- "The Cruelest Month" (The Cruelest Month)
- "A Rule Against Murder" (A Rule Against Murder)
The John Rebus Series — Ian Rankin
John Rebus Ian Rankin
The events of this series unfold in Edinburgh, Scotland. Inspector John Rebus is an experienced police officer with a complicated character who often operates on the edge of the rules to get to the truth.
Rankin's books combine classic detective fiction with social drama: they pay much attention to politics, the criminal world, and the dark sides of modern society. The series has received numerous literary awards and has become one of the most famous in the British crime genre.
The Robert Langdon Series — Dan Brown
Robert Langdon Dan Brown
Although these books are often called thrillers, in structure they are very close to detective fiction. The main character is symbolism professor Robert Langdon, who unravels historical mysteries encoded in art, architecture, and religious texts.
The most famous novels in the series are "The Da Vinci Code", "Angels and Demons", and "Inferno". They have become global bestsellers and have received high-profile adaptations.
Dan Brown's books have been translated into Ukrainian and consistently appear on the lists of the most popular detective thrillers.
The Thursday Murder Club Series — Richard Osman
Thursday Murder Club series Richard Osman
This is one of the most successful modern detective series of recent years. At the center of the story are four retirees living in a quiet British town who meet every Thursday to discuss old unsolved crimes.
One day, a real murder occurs nearby — and the amateur club decides to find the criminal themselves. Osman's books combine classic detective intrigue, humor, and very charismatic characters.
You can buy a set of all four books at KSD.
The Rizzoli and Isles Series — Tess Gerritsen
One of the most famous modern detective series, centered around detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles. Together they investigate complex and often very brutal crimes in Boston. Tess Gerritsen's books combine tense thrillers, medical details, and psychological depth, which has made the series immensely popular among readers.
The books in the "Rizzoli and Isles" series (rating 18+)
- “The Surgeon”
- “The Assistant”
- “The Sinful”
- “The Doppelgänger”
- “The Mephisto Club”
- “The Keepers of Death”
- “Killing Cold”
- “The Girl Who Was Silent”
- “The Last to Die”
- “Die Again”
- “I Know a Secret”
- “Listen to Me”
“The Big Sleep” — Raymond Chandler
A classic noir detective story about private detective Philip Marlowe, who takes on what seems to be a simple blackmail case. However, the investigation quickly plunges him into a dark world of corruption, crime, and dangerous secrets of a wealthy family. The novel became one of the symbols of American crime noir and effectively shaped the image of the cynical yet principled private detective.
Published in Ukrainian by "Babylon Library".
“Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn
Gillian Flynn created not just a detective story but a true psychological thriller-puzzle that once turned the genre on its head.
At the center of the plot are Nick and Amy — the perfect couple (at least it seems from the outside). On the day of their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy suddenly disappears. In the living room — signs of a struggle, in the kitchen — blood, and Nick becomes the prime suspect. But is he really the killer? And who was Amy really?
The film "Gone Girl" starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike was based on this very book.
Other books by Gillian Flynn in Ukrainian:
In addition to "Gone Girl," the publishing house "KM-Books" has released other bestsellers by the author:
- “Sharp Objects” (Sharp Objects) — a grim story about a journalist who returns to her hometown to investigate murders (there is an HBO series).
- “Dark Places” (Dark Places) — a novel about a woman whose family was murdered many years ago, and who is trying to uncover the truth about that day (there is a 2015 film starring Charlize Theron).
The Bill Hodges Trilogy — Stephen King
Bill Hodges TrilogyStephen King
This trilogy combines classic detective fiction with psychological thriller and the author's signature tension. The events revolve around former detective Bill Hodges, who, after retiring, becomes embroiled in the case of a serial killer. The crimes here are not only mysterious but also deeply disturbing, focusing on the motivation and inner world of the criminal.Hodges is not an ideal hero: he is weary, sometimes cynical, but stubborn and very principled. During the investigations, he finds new allies, and together they confront a dangerous adversary.
- "Mr. Mercedes" (Mr. Mercedes)
- "Finders Keepers" (Finders Keepers)
- "End of Watch" (End of Watch)
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