82 books that hook you from the beginning

Police, epic fantasy, horror, science fiction… There are books that hook you from the first chapter, novels that captivate with their plot, characters and exceptional narrative. It is possible that, right now, several titles come to mind, unique stories that you keep forever in the chest of your literary memory. We are what we read and there are works that remain in our emotional DNA.

However, We know that, as a good reader, you need new unique and exciting proposals every so often. Our purpose is to provide you with an interesting list of various genres and the most varied authors. You may already know some of them, but others are surely waiting impatiently for you to discover them. We describe them to you below.

Classic books and exciting universal authors

There is a whole universe of classic books that hook you from page 1. They are works that have stood the test of time due to their quality, relevance and originality. Go to them whenever you can, learn about new titles or reread your favorites. We will then make a brief selection of those that captivated several generations.

1. The Adventures of Sherlock HolmesArthur Conan Doyle

If you don’t know each and every one of the adventures of the famous tenant of Baker Street, It’s the moment. Sherlock Holmes and his faithful friend, Dr. John Watson, solve cases as amazing as that of Scandal in Bohemia, The Red-Headed League, the Sign of Four or the classic Hound of the Baskervilles. Few readings are so exciting.

2. Jane EyreCharlotte Brontë

An unforgettable classic and one of those books that hook you from the beginning. The novel by the eldest of the Brönte sisters tells the life of Jane Eyre, an orphan with character who finds a job as a governess in the lonely mansion of Thornfield Hall. There she will meet her owner, Mr. Rochester, a man tortured by his past.

3. Jude the dark, Thomas Hardy

Jude the dark It was an innovative book for its time. It was published in 1895 and was one of the first novels that addressed the universe of sexuality through a reflective and intimate prism. His protagonist is a young man dominated by an impossible love and whose life does not stop facing the uncomfortable social conventions of his community.

4. The white ladyWilkie Collins

In this gothic novel love stories, secrets, and detective plots are intertwined. and the appearances of a mysterious woman dressed in white.

5. What Maisie KnewHenry James

Every book by Henry James is always a must read. But this particular novel will involve you from the beginning. It tells the life of Maisie Farange, a girl caught in the middle of a bitter divorce and a world of selfish adults.

6. The BuddenbrooksThomas Mann

The novel introduces you to the Buddenbrook, a wealthy family from Lübeck facing the decline of their values, fortune and prestige social. It is one of Thomas Mann’s best works.

7. DecameronBoccaccio

In it Decameron A total of 100 stories of the most diverse themes are integrated: social criticism, sexuality, happiness, love or ingenuity. It was published in mid-1349 and remains a most fascinating and entertaining work.

8. desolate houseCharles Dickens

Esther Summerson, abandoned at birth by her parents, was adopted by a distinguished nobleman, Mr. John Jarndyce. This gentleman of high position has been fighting for years due to a unique inheritance that completely alters the future of this very special family. Remember, reading Dickens is a pleasure always worth immersing yourself in.

9. Middlemarch, George Eliot

The novel offers you a brilliant portrait of life in a small town in the 19th century. Its Victorian characters will fascinate you from the first chapter. With them Themes such as love, marriage and ambition are explored.

10. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Edmond Dantes is betrayed and unjustly imprisoned. After escaping, he becomes the Count of Monte Cristo and seeks revenge against all those who betrayed him. It is one of the most universal novels and its protagonist is someone difficult to forget.

11. Diary of a Nobody, George Grossmith and Weedon Grossmith

Among the books that hook you, you cannot miss this comic novel. It tells the unique adventures of Charles Pooter, a middle-class man who faces the most humorous situations in his daily life. It is a classic of British literature that will make you smile throughout the entire reading.

12. OlallaRobert Louis Stevenson

Stevenson’s work is most exciting. We suggest you discover a very special title: Olalla. A vampire story set in Spain, which follows a young soldier who discovers dark secrets in a noble family.

13. Pride and prejudiceJane Austen

Who can resist learning about the fascinating story between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet? The novel by the unforgettable Jane Austen follows the relationship between these two young people in 19th century England, to explore themes of social class and prejudice.

14. Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee

The novel chronicles the fight against racism and injustice in the American South through the eyes of a girl named Scout Finch. It is one of those books that, once read, stays forever in the heart.

fifteen. RebeccaDaphne du Maurier

If Alfred Hitchcock was fascinated by this novel by Daphne du Maurier, it was not by chance. In it, the protagonist—whose name you will never know—marries a wealthy man. After moving into Manderley mansion, she discovers that Rebecca, her husband’s former wife, is still very much present.

16. FogMiguel de Unamuno

This philosophical and existentialist work tells the story of a writer who comes to life and confronts his creator, questioning his own existence. Unforgettable.

17. The moonstone, Wilkie Collins

The Moonstone It is a pioneering novel in detective literature. In it, the search for a mysterious jewel stolen from a Hindu sanctuary follows, about which all kinds of disturbing legends are told.

Black novel, for lovers of thriller

Intrigue, suspense and even true crime… Who isn’t passionate about spending an entire afternoon or evening enjoying this type of reading? We assure you that, when you start these titles, you will not be able to stop. It is true that, as a good reader of detective books, you will know some of these books, but surely there are others that will surprise you.

1. Cold-bloodedTruman Capote

Capote recounts the brutal murders of a family in Kansas in 1959 and the investigation that led to the arrest and trial of the murderers. The novel combines journalistic narration with literary and suspense elements.

2. The talent of Mr. RipleyPatricia Highsmith

Among the books that hook you, you cannot miss the story of Tom Ripley. He is a man who engages in a series of crimes to maintain his facade of wealth and sophistication. The novel is a magnificent exploration of the psychology of a murderer.

3. MillenniumStieg Larsson

the saga Millennium has made history. If you don’t know her, we suggest you discover the journalistic investigations of Mikael Blomkvist and the unforgettable hacker Lisbeth Salander in Sweden. Start with Men who did not love women and addresses issues of corruption, abuse and conspiracy.

4. Mr. MercedesStephen King

Stephen King’s novel is a magnificent combination of mystery and detective genre. It follows retired detective Bill Hodges as he investigates a serial killer who uses a Mercedes Benz to commit his crimes.

5. tragic Christmas, Christie Agatha

While everyone is eating and chatting during a Christmas dinner, a heartbreaking scream is heard. The well-known detective Poirot must begin the investigation of him…

6. LossGillian Flynn

The history focuses on the disappearance of Amy Dunne and the investigation that follows, revealing lurid secrets and surprising twists. We assure you that it is one of those novels in which the reader cannot imagine at any moment what will happen.

7. Mystic Riverby Dennis Lehane

This is another one of those books that hooks you from the first page. Three childhood friends reunite after a tragedy that marked them for life, only to find themselves involved in a new mystery. It is a heartbreaking drama that is difficult to forget.

8. Nails and teethIan Rankin

A new serial killer appears in London, someone called the “Wolf Man”, who bites and destroys his victims. Scotland Yard, to catch him, then decides to call the Scottish inspector John Rebus.

9. each otherPhilip Kerr

In this novel, detective Bernhard Gunthe must capture one of the most sadistic spies of the SS.

10. faceless killersHenning Mankell

Detective Kurt Wallander must take charge of one of his most dramatic investigations: the murder of a peaceful elderly couple on a farm in Lenarp. If you are passionate about Nordic novels, Mankell’s work is a must-read.

eleven. Ripper’s gameIsabel Allende

A teenager and her group of friends investigate a series of murders in San Francisco, unraveling a dark mystery. Isabel Allende will dazzle you in this unforgettable book.

12. Batzan TrilogyDolores Redondo

This trilogy (The Invisible Guardian, Legacy in the Bones, and Offering to the Storm) follows Inspector Amaia Salazar as she investigates crimes in the Baztán Valley, uncovering family secrets combined with fascinating Basque mythology.

13. Hannibal, Thomas Harris

You may already know the classic movie The silence of the lambs. But we assure you that Harris’s book is much more impactful than the award-winning 90s film. Also remember that the iconic Dr. Hannibal Lecter—the cannibal—was, in reality, a character based on a real man: Robert Maudsley.

14. everything that diesJohn Connolly

Private detective Charlie Parker investigates a murder case that plunges him into a world of violence and also leads him to confront dark forces. John Connolly has the mastery of combining the police genre with horror and this is, without a doubt, one of those books that hooks you from the beginning.

fifteen. You will reap stormsDona León

Commissioner Guido Brunetti investigates crimes in Venice while exploring issues of corruption and justice.

16. In defense of JacobWilliam Danlay

The novel follows Assistant District Attorney Andy Barber as he investigates a murder in his community. Suddenly, he discovers a dark secret that has to do with his family and, specifically, his son Jacob.

Science fiction to stimulate your mind

Dystopias, imaginary worlds, parallel universes, future realities… Among the books that hook you from the beginning are many of those great masters of science fiction. The following proposals will stimulate your imagination and invite you to…