Detective and Mystery Novels Quiz — Test Your Knowledge of Mystery Writers & Iconic Detectives
Focuses on famous mystery writers and iconic detective characters.
Welcome to the Detective and Mystery Novels Quiz, the definitive Books and Literature challenge for fans of mystery writers, classic whodunits, and iconic detective characters. This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of the genre's greatest authors — from Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie to Dashiell Hammett and Georges Simenon — and to help you discover new favorites in mystery fiction. Whether you're a casual reader or a dedicated sleuth, this quiz offers a fun, informative way to measure your expertise in detective and mystery novels.
By taking this Detective and Mystery Novels Quiz you will engage with questions about famous detectives, seminal works, and recurring mystery tropes. Ideal for lovers of Books and Literature and those passionate about narrative puzzles, the quiz is optimized for both entertainment and learning. Try it now to see if you are a novice reader, an enthusiastic fan, an expert, or a true master sleuth of mystery fiction.
Who is the author who created Sherlock Holmes?
Identify the writer credited with creating one of the most iconic detectives in literary history.
Which detective is famous for the phrase "little grey cells"?
Name the meticulous detective known for relying on his intellect and deduction.
Who wrote 'The Maltese Falcon', a landmark of hardboiled detective fiction?
Select the author associated with the private detective Sam Spade and classic noir storytelling.
Which book is commonly cited as the first modern detective novel?
This 19th-century novel is often credited with shaping the structure of the modern mystery novel.
Which author created private detective Philip Marlowe?
Name the novelist who developed the hardboiled detective voice typified by Marlowe.
Which novel features the famous murder aboard a train known as the Orient Express?
One of Agatha Christie's most celebrated locked-room / enclosed-setting mysteries.
Which element is a hallmark of Golden Age detective fiction?
Choose the trope most closely associated with interwar British detective novels.
Who is the prolific Belgian detective created by Agatha Christie?
A fastidious, brilliant sleuth with a flair for psychological insight and order.
Which writer created Inspector Maigret?
Name the author known for psychological realism and a prolific series set in France.
Which author is associated with the fictional detective Sam Spade?
Identify the novelist behind the archetypal hardboiled private eye of American noir.
Frequently asked questions
This quiz assesses your familiarity with famous mystery writers, classic detective characters, key novels, and common tropes in detective and mystery fiction. Results indicate your overall knowledge level within the Books and Literature category.
Each answer has a numeric value. The results function sums the values of your selected options to produce a final numeric score that places you into one of several knowledge tiers from Novice to Master Sleuth.
The quiz contains 10 multiple-choice questions. It typically takes about 5–10 minutes to complete, depending on how much you pause to think about each question.
Yes. The results include tailored recommendations based on your score band. Novices receive suggestions for entry-level classics, enthusiasts get mid-range picks, and experts/master sleuths are pointed toward more obscure or international titles.
Absolutely. Retaking the Detective and Mystery Novels Quiz after reading additional titles is encouraged — your score may improve as your familiarity with mystery writers, detectives, and subgenres grows.
The quiz content focuses on literary knowledge rather than mature themes, but some referenced novels contain adult content. Parental discretion is advised for younger readers; consider allowing guidance or using age-appropriate mystery titles for preparation.
Yes. The results page offers actionable recommendations, including suggested authors and subgenres to explore (Golden Age, noir, police procedurals, and international mysteries), helping you plan your next reads.
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