10 Captivating Christian Mystery & Suspense Books

Thrilling novels about intriguing mysteries can be fun & entertaining. But many books in this genre contain harsh language and grisly details that not all Christian readers want to subject themselves to. If you're looking for some suspenseful books that won't offend your tastes, check out the ten fantastic works listed here. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

Mysteries For Christians: Our 10 Picks

Title Author
1. The Resurrection File Craig Parshall
2. The First Principle Marissa Shrock
3. Deadly Secrets Margaret Daley
4. Never Let Go Elizabeth Goddard
5. Indivisible Kristen Heitzmann
6. When the Day of Evil Comes Melanie Wells
7. Killer Honeymoon Traci Tyne Hilton
8. Centralia Mike Dellosso
9. Wind Over Marshdale Tracy Krauss
10. Chasing the Wind Pamela Binnings Ewen

What is Suspense?

Suspense is a feeling that is essentially a mixture of excitement, fascination, tension, and anxiety. It is often caused by a dramatic work, like one of the novels listed above or a film by Alfred Hitchcock. It can also arise due to real-life circumstances, although that's usually a lot less pleasant as the danger involved is actually a threat. In a book or movie, the audience knows that the villains and dark situations aren't real and can't hurt them, so they can enjoy the rush of adrenaline caused by suspense. This keeps fans of thrillers and mysteries coming back for more.

Different Ways to Read the Bible

If you're a Christian, you can never be too familiar with the holy book. But not every version of it works for everyone. Luckily, there are many different ways to experience the word of God. Here are a few:

The History of Christianity

In Depth

Reading Christian fiction can help one develop a better understanding of the Bible's teachings. Mystery novels that fall under this category often feature characters who are thrown into tough situations that will test their faith in God. In these tales, the protagonists have to learn how to overcome every obstacle in their way, including their own personal demons, while still upholding biblical values. With that in mind, here are ten suspenseful Christian mystery books, listed in no particular order.

First up, at #1, we have "The Resurrection File." Written by Craig Parshall, it's the first entry of his "Chambers of Justice" series. Agnostic attorney Will Chambers is hired to defend Angus MacCameron, who's being accused of slandering Albert Reichstad, a highly influential scientist who claims that he found proof that Jesus was never resurrected. By taking on the case, Chambers gets caught up in a dangerous conspiracy that will test his beliefs.

Next, at #2, is "The First Principle" by Marissa Shrock. In the near future, American governors hold territories instead of states, giving them much more control over the population. When Vivica Wilkins, the teenage daughter of a governor, discovers that she's illegally pregnant, a rebel group known as the Emancipation Warriors offers to help her. Now, Vivica is torn between going through a mandatory abortion or keeping the baby and potentially ruining her mother's chances of becoming the next president.

Now, Vivica is torn between going through a mandatory abortion or keeping the baby and potentially ruining her mother's chances of becoming the next president.

At #3 is "Deadly Secrets" by Margaret Daley. After spending fifteen years away from home, FBI profiler Sarah St. John finally returns for her niece's wedding. On the night before the event, her niece gets kidnapped by a notorious serial killer. With the help of her ex-fiance Detective Hunter Davis, the two of them rush to find and apprehend the kidnapper, learning to move on from their painful past along the way.

Next up, at #4, we have "Never Let Go" by Elizabeth Goddard. Willow Anderson is a forensic genealogist who's trying to solve the cold case of a baby that was abducted from a hospital over twenty years ago. When someone tries to kill her in an attempt to stop her investigation, she and her ex-boyfriend Austin McKade work together to uncover the truth behind it all, rekindling their love for each other and for God in the process.

Next, at #5, is "Indivisible" by Kristen Heitzmann. Police Chief Jonah Westfall is a recovering alcoholic who's in love with Tia Manning, whom he's had regretful experiences with. When brutally mutilated animal bodies start showing up around their small town, Jonah must figure out what's going on before the community spirals into chaos. Along the way, he and Tia learn to move on from their past sins, slowly falling in love with each other once again.

Along the way, he and Tia learn to move on from their past sins, slowly falling in love with each other once again.

At #6 is "When the Day of Evil Comes" by Melanie Wells. After encountering a creepy, pale man, strange things begin to happen around professor Dylan Foster, such as the reappearance of her deceased mother's engagement ring and the sudden suicide of one of her former patients. With her personal life and career now at risk, she realizes that she's being spiritually attacked by demons, and only her faith in God can save her.

Next up, at #7, we have "Killer Honeymoon" by Traci Tyne Hilton. After getting married, Jane and Jake decide to go on a honeymoon to the Oregon Coast. When they find the rotting corpse of an unknown boy in their cottage, the newlyweds have to figure out who it is and what happened to him. They soon learn that several other teenagers have gone missing around town, so the two of them set off to find them.

At #8 is "Centralia" by Mike Dellosso. One morning, Peter Ryan wakes up to find that his wife and daughter are missing. Apparently, they both died in a tragic car accident that he doesn't remember. After finding a strange note written by his daughter, he's suddenly attacked by a group of armed thugs, and he somehow fights them off with skills he never knew he had. Following the note's instructions, he travels to the town of Centralia, remembering bits of his past along the way.

One morning, Peter Ryan wakes up to find that his wife and daughter are missing.

Next, at #9, is "Wind Over Marshdale" by Tracy Krauss. The story follows several residents of the town of Marshdale as they each work towards overcoming their personal demons. Among the cast of characters is Thomas Lone Wolf, who faces racial prejudice as he tries to build a cultural center in honor of his Cree heritage. He later befriends a farmer named Con McKinley, who has his own personal issues. Kindergarten teacher Rachel came here to escape a nasty breakup, but when she falls for Con and Thomas, her lack of faith prevents her from pursuing either man.

Finally, at #10, we have "Chasing the Wind" by Pamela Binnings Ewen. One Wednesday morning in 1977, businessman Bingham Murdock flies his plane over New Orleans, inadvertently making a beam of light shine through the city. When she sees the bright flash of sunlight, lawyer Amalise Catoir wonders if this is a sign from God that's meant for her eyes only. Elsewhere, a young Cambodian refugee also sees this phenomenon, which reminds him of the conflict back home. This random occurrence connects the three of them in ways that will change their lives forever.