7 Witty Murder Mysteries for Fans of Knives Out & Benoit Blanc

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The Movie Marathon (By Stani)

As you’ve probably noticed, we’ve been on a bit of a “mystery” binge lately when it comes to reading (check out my first ever blog post about The Inheritance Games and our follow up about 10 books like The Inheritance Games). We seem to have gone beyond the realm of books and transferred our binge to the TV as well. Recently, we decided to watch all three Knives Out movies back-to-back. And since we have two small kids, in our world “back-to-back” means “one movie every night”. Hey, still counts!

I won’t lie, by the third movie, Daniel Craig’s over the top accent had permanently rewired my brain. I absolutely hated it in the first movie, but it has since grown on me.

Here is our official household ranking:

1. Knives Out: A great watch! The sweaters, the plot twists, the "eat the rich" energy, it was perfect.

2. Glass Onion: chaotic and fun. I loved the island setting and the satire of the tech bros and their “disruptive” efforts.

3. Wake Up Dead Man: ...Okay, look. It was fine. But the vibe was just a little strange for us. It didn't quite hit the same highs as the first two.

But the main takeaway from our marathon was that we missed the feeling of a good whodunit.

I am currently reading Babel (which is amazing, but heavy), and I found myself craving something that felt like a game. I wanted a mystery that wasn't terrifying—like The Silence of the Lambs—but witty, smart, and maybe a little bit mean.

We realized we didn't have many books like that on our shelves. So, Alex and I went scouring the internet for adult murder mysteries that capture that specific Benoit Blanc energy.

We haven't read these yet, but they are now at the top of our shopping list.

1. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

If you loved the humor of Knives Out, this seems to be the closest match in the book world.

The Pitch: In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes. But when a local developer is found dead with a mysterious photograph left next to the body, the Thursday Murder Club suddenly find themselves in the middle of their first live case.

Stani’s Take:"I love the idea of unlikely detectives. In Knives Out, you had Marta (the nurse) teaming up with Blanc. Here, you have a group of octogenarians outsmarting the police. It feels cozy, but apparently, the mystery is genuinely sharp. Plus, I just want to read about a sweet old lady who might also be a ruthless investigator."

2. Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

One of the best things about Knives Out is how self-aware it is. It knows it is a movie. This book does the same thing.

The Pitch: The narrator, Ernest Cunningham, tells you right on the first page that he follows the "10 Commandments of Detective Fiction." He promises there will be no hidden passages, no identical twins, and no supernatural nonsense. Then, a murder happens at a family reunion in a ski resort, and he has to solve it while his entire family tries to kill him (or each other).

Alex’s Take:"The title alone sold me. It sounds like the Drysdales from the first movie or the Disruptors from Glass Onion. I love meta-fiction where the author plays a game with the reader. It feels like a logic puzzle where you are given all the clues upfront."

3. Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

This is for the people who loved the structural complexity of the movies.

The Pitch: When editor Susan Ryeland sits down to read the latest manuscript from a famous crime writer, she realizes there is a mystery hidden within the mystery. The story alternates between the fictional detective story set in the 1950s and the real-life investigation in the present day.

Alex’s Take:"I love a puzzle. Horowitz is often compared to a modern Agatha Christie online, with many readers saying he layers his writing expertly. This is high on my list because it is said to treat the reader like an active participant. It isn't just a story; it's a test to see if you are paying attention."

4. Crooked House by Agatha Christie

You can't talk about Benoit Blanc without talking about the Queen of Crime.

The Pitch: A wealthy patriarch is poisoned in his massive, sprawling mansion. The house is filled with his children, grandchildren, and in-laws, all of whom hated him and all of whom wanted his money. Sound familiar?

Alex’s Take:"Rian Johnson (the director of Knives Out) has openly said that this specific book was a huge inspiration for the movie. Also, I have to say it: Benoit Blanc is basically a modern Hercule Poirot. They are both outsiders, they both have ridiculous accents that make people underestimate them, and they both see the things everyone else ignores. If you like Blanc, you have to respect the original."

5. The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji

This is the pick for Glass Onion fans.

The Pitch: A group of university students from a mystery club decide to spend a week on a desolate island where a brutal murder spree happened months ago. Obviously, they start getting picked off one by one.

Stani’s Take:"A group of people trapped on an island with a killer? That is literally the plot of Glass Onion (and ten other movies I love). I just want to see if I can guess who the killer is before the last chapter. I heard this is a classic 'Golden Age' style mystery from Japan, which makes it even more intriguing, since I’ve never read anything by a Japanese author before!"

6. The 7 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

If you thought the plot of Glass Onion was chaotic, wait until you hear this setup.

The Pitch: Aiden Bishop has to solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle. The catch? Every time he wakes up, he is in the body of a different guest at the party. He has eight days and eight different hosts to find the killer, or the loop resets and he has to do it all over again.

Alex’s Take:"It sounds like Clue meets Groundhog Day. I like chaotic plots where you have to keep a notebook just to track what is happening. This feels like the kind of high-concept mystery that shouldn't work, but everyone says it sticks the landing. So I’m eager to give it a try."

7. An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten

Sometimes you don't want to find the killer. Sometimes you want to be the killer.

The Pitch: Maud is 88 years old. She has no family, no debts, and a nice apartment. And whenever someone threatens her peace and quiet—whether it's a noisy neighbor or a greedy antique dealer—she handles the problem. Permanently.

Stani’s Take:"This gives me that dark, satirical humor that Knives Out does so well. It isn't a 'whodunit' because we know Maud did it. It’s more about watching her get away with it. It feels like it’ll be very wicked and fun."

Which One Are We Buying First?

Alex’s Pick: Magpie Murders. I need to see if I can solve the puzzle before the editor does.

Stani’s Pick: The Thursday Murder Club. I need something charming and funny to cleanse my palate after the heavy themes of Babel.

Quick Guide: Which Vibe Do You Want?

• For the Humor: The Thursday Murder Club
• For the Puzzle: Magpie Murders
• For the "Glass Onion" Setting: The Decagon House Murders

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Knives Out based on a book? No. Unlike many mysteries, Knives Out is an original screenplay written by Rian Johnson. However, he was heavily inspired by Agatha Christie novels, specifically Crooked House and Appointment with Death.

Are there funny murder mystery books? Yes! The genre is called "Cozy Mystery" or "Comic Crime." The Thursday Murder Club is currently the most popular example, blending British humor with a genuine murder investigation.

Is there a Benoit Blanc book series? Not yet. Currently, Benoit Blanc only exists in the movies. However, if you want a detective with a similar "eccentric genius" vibe, we highly recommend reading the Hercule Poirot novels by Agatha Christie.

Have you read any of these? Or did you also feel weird about the third Knives Out movie? Let us know in the comments!