Mystery fiction quotes from the greatest crime novelists ever

Fans of crime fiction will love these mystery fiction quotes from some of the most highly-acclaimed writers, curated by the Pirfly review team.

"Amongst the more churlish criticisms leveled against the art of Murder and Mystery, —in their classic literary forms, I should hasten to say—is the objection, whether philosophical or aesthetic, to the inevitable tidiness of the conclusion, toward which the form instinctively moves: whereby all that has been bewildering, and problematic, and, indeed, ‘mysterious’ is, oft-times not altogether plausibly, resolved: which is to say, explained. It is objected that 'life is not like that'…As if it were not, to all right-thinking persons, a triumphant matter that Evil be exposed in human form, and murderers,—or murderesses—be brought to justice; and the fundamental coherence of the Universe confirmed.” - JOYCE CAROL OATES

"I am talking about the general psychological health of the species, man. He needs the existence of mysteries. Not their solution." - JOHN FOWLES

"The detective story itself is in a dilemma. It is a vein which is in danger of being worked out, the demand is constant, the powers of supply variable, and the reader, with each one he absorbs, grows a little more sophisticated and harder to please, while the novelist, after each one he writes, becomes a little more exhausted." - CYRIL CONNOLLY

"If in doubt, have two guys come through the door with guns." - RAYMOND CHANDLER

"There really must be a murder, or at least a major felony -- otherwise, what's the point? Who's ripping off the hand towels at the Dorchester Hotel is hardly the business of a mystery novel." - HOWARD HAYCRAFT

"There simply must be a corpse in a detective novel, and the deader the corpse the better." - S.S. VAN DINE

"The criminal is the creative artist; the detective only the critic." - G.K. CHESTERTON

"I know what kind of things I myself have been irritated by in detective stories. They are often about one or two persons, but they don't describe anything in the society Outside." - STIEG LARSSON

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Quotes about Mysteries

Here are some famous words on mystery, suspense and everything in between curated by the Pirfly review team.

It began in mystery, and it will end in mystery, but what a savage and beautiful country lies in between. (Diane Ackerman)

The creator of the universe works in mysterious ways. But he uses a base ten counting system and likes round numbers. (Scott Adams)

The gateway to mystery swings open at the touch of human weakness and we have entered the realms of darkness. One false step, one slurred syllable together reveal a man's thoughts. (Louis Aragon)

It's a fine line between your own aesthetic ideas, keeping that subtlety, that mystery, and over-explaining to your viewers. (Clyde Aspevig)

When I paint, mysterious things happen. What starts with a void ends with a dialogue. (Jeet Aulakh)

Something pretty mysterious had to give rise to the origin of the universe. (Richard Dawkins)

Nature is a haunted house, but art is a house that tries to be haunted. (Emily Dickinson)

Love's mysteries in souls do grow, / But yet the body is his book. (John Donne)

My paintings are reflections of my own inner mysteries... they all reflect my relationship to my steadiest of companions and muses – nature and animals... (Katherine Dunn)

The greatest unsolved mysteries are the mysteries of our existence as conscious beings in a small corner of a vast universe. (Freeman Dyson)

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Ten Best Mystery Quotes

Loving and enjoying mystery is one of life’s greatest adventures, so here are a few mystery quotes curated by the Pirfly review team to make you reflect and smile.

1) “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the life of all art and science.” ~ Albert Einstein

2)’Can the future ever be behind you?’ the small child asked. ‘Yes,’ answered the old man, ‘when you stop chasing Mystery.’ ~ unknown

3) “Beyond the edges of worn paths are mysteries unexplored.” ~ anonymous

4) “Don’t let Mystery die behind closed doors. Open, and let Mystery live within you.” ~ anonymous

5) If there wasn’t any mystery, there would be no life. ~ unknown

6) Yesterday is History. Tomorrow is a Mystery. But Today is a Gift, that’s why they call it the Present. ~unknown

7) Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand. ~ Neil Armstrong

8) The Treasure you are looking for is waiting for you in the place you least expect it.” ~ Paul Coelho

9) If there wasn’t anything to find out, it would be dull. Even trying to find out and not finding out is just as interesting as trying to find out and finding out; and I don’t know but more so.” ~ Samuel Clemens

10) Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It won’t lead you astray.” ~ Rumi

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Funny Quotes about Mystery

Let these funny mystery quotes curated by the Pirfly review team add a little humor to your day.

The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery.

- Anais Nin

The time-traveling is just too dangerous. Better that I devote myself to study the other great mystery of the universe – women!

- the movie Back to the Future II

It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honored by the humiliation of their fellow beings.

- Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi

The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible.

- Oscar Wilde

We have to stop and be humble enough to understand that there is something called mystery.

- Paulo Coelho

Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain.

- Carl Jung

It was the experience of mystery - even if mixed with fear - that engendered religion.

- Albert Einstein

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Best Mystery Books For Kids

It isn’t just adults that love a good mystery book, there are many stories out there written for a kids audience as well. One of the reasons they lend themselves so well to both adults and kids is that they don’t have to be gory or too graphic. You can read many mystery books on sites like Pirfly, but here are the top examples of mystery books aimed at kids.

Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens

This is the first in a series of novels that introduce Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong. They are two schoolgirls that decide to set up their own detective agency. The books are full of twists and turns that will keep children hooked until the very last page. You can find the other books in the series on Pirfly.

The Crooked Sixpence by Jennifer Bell

If your child likes to visit new worlds and new possibilities, then this book by Jennifer Bell will be perfect for them. The world is like nothing you have seen before, with ordinary objects possessing strange yet amazing powers. It is a fast-paced read so you might find its over before you know it.

Nancy Parker's Diary of Detection by Julia Lee

Julia Lee is a talented author who has written this in the style of an Agatha Christie novel, only for a younger audience. The story is told through the diary entries of Nancy, who is an aspiring detective.

For more exciting kids mystery novels, check out Pirfly.

New Mystery Novels Coming in 2021

Mystery novels are perfect for those budding sleuths that love to work out who the villain is before the end of the book. There are a number of exciting new novels that are coming out this year that will undoubtedly keep you entertained all year as well as all those you can find on Pirfly. Here are new mystery novels that are coming in 2021.

Waiting for the Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton

A novel that follows the life of Cadie who returns to her childhood home following a request from her former best friend. When she arrives, however, there is an old secret that demands to be revealed. This is a well-written and suspenseful read that will keep you hooked.

If I Disappear by Eliza Jane Brazier

This story has a premise that relates perfectly to today's society. When Sera’s favorite true-crime podcast goes missing, she seeks to find out what happened. However, when she looks deeper, she realizes that there is more going on than it first appears. You can read Eliza Jane Brazier’s other works on Pirfly.

Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh

When a popular socialite disappears with $250 million dollars, everyone thinks she left because of her husband. However, 10 years later her bones are discovered near her estate. Her son, Aarav decides to investigate to see what happened all those years ago.

To read more mystery novels, why not take a look at Pirfly and see what takes your interest.

Two of the Most Mysterious Sites in Ireland

From ancient kings and fairies to ghosts and giants, discover the secrets of these mythical spots on the Emerald Isle, curated by the Pirfly review team.

The Hill of Tara

From above, the Hill of Tara looks like a message to the gods carved in the earth. In reality, this ancient mound was the seat of the Celtic High Kings of Ireland, who ruled over all the lesser kings of the land. However, Tara’s mythical importance goes back even farther, as the stronghold was built over Neolithic tombs. The ancient people believed gods dwelt here at the entrance to an other-world of eternal joy. And the place continues to inspire today: Archaeologists are still locating new sites underground, and people gather on the hilltop to celebrate their pagan ancestors on the summer solstice.

Giant’s Causeway

Of course, there’s a perfectly logical scientific explanation for the strange interlocking columns that reach out into the sea at this UNESCO World Heritage site in County Antrim, Northern Ireland: The basalt columns were created by volcanic activity millions of years ago. But the legend of Giant’s Causeway is more fun: that the blocks are huge stepping stones the giant Finn McCool used to cross the water to Scotland.

For more great mystery reads to get your hands on now, head over to Pirfly.

Best Mystery, Suspense and Thriller Books to Read Now

If you're looking for your next gripping read, look no further than these books curated by the Pirfly review team. These books are the best of the best in thrillers and suspense this year.

Thin Ice by Paige Shelton

This atmospheric mystery is set in a cold, remote Alaskan village where everyone seems to have something to hide. In this book, helton introduces a complex and fascinating protagonist to a community of memorable, oddball characters and combines it all with a great plot and a terrific sense of place.

A Deadly Turn by Claire Booth

In A Deadly Turn, the investigation of a tragic car accident turns up much more than just bad driving and a dangerous curve. Sheriff Worth must get to the bottom of just who was in that car, and why. Assisting him is his deputy sheriff (and comic-relief sidekick)—one terrific character and scene-stealer.

For more great mystery reads to get your hands on now, head over to Pirfly.

Mysterious Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old mysterious quotes, mysterious sayings, and mysterious proverbs, collected by the Pirfly review team.

The ultimate mystery is one's own self. - Sammy Davis Jr.

It's mysterious what attracts you to a person. - Jeff Goldblum

The mysterious is the very ground of our being--our hope and our destiny. No one ever knows the simplest thing unless one also feels there is more that has not been explained. - Richard Gilbert

Mystery is the essence of divinity. - Zora Neale Hurston

The mysterious is always attractive. People will always follow a vail. - Bede Jarret

Don't ever empty the bucket of mystery. Never let people define what you do. It's not about zigging when you should zag. It's not about doing something unprecedented and unpredictable. It's just about never being a word, or something that is not in the process of transformation - Marilyn Manson

The most beautiful things we can experience is the mysterious. - Albert Einstein

The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible. - Oscar Wilde

Mysteries abound where most we seek for answers. - Ray Bradbury

If you are a fan of mystery content, then head over to Pirfly and enjoy all the content curated by the Pirfly review team.

Brilliant Quotes about Time and its Mystery

Below you will find our collection of quotes on the mystery of time, collected by the Pirfly review team.

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

Marthe Troly-Curtin

“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.”

Charles Darwin

“Time is more precious than gold, more precious than diamonds, more precious than oil or any valuable treasures. It is time that we do not have enough of; it is time that causes the war within our hearts, and so we must spend it wisely.”

Cecelia Ahern

“Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.”

Henry Van Dyke

“Time is the most valuable thing that a man can spend.”

Diogenes

“Eternity is said not to be an extension of time but an absence of time.”

Graham Greene

“Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its brevity.”

Jean de La Bruyère

“For the Present is the point at which time touches eternity.”

C.S. Lewis

“Lost time is never found again.”

Benjamin Franklin

“Time is an equal opportunity employer. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day. Rich people can’t buy more hours. Scientists can’t invent new minutes. And you can’t save time to spend it on another day. Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving. No matter how much time you’ve wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow.”

Denis Waitley

“We are living in a culture entirely hypnotized by the illusion of time, in which the so-called present moment is felt as nothing but an infinitesimal hairline between an all-powerfully causative past and an absorbingly important future.”

Alan Wilson Watts

If you are a fan of mystery content, then head over to Pirfly and enjoy all the content curated by the Pirfly review team.

Must-Read Mystery Books for Kids

These mystery books all come highly recommended by the Pirfly review team. Grab them for your young Sherlock’s today.

Julian, Secret Agent by Ann Cameron (Grades 2-5)

Julian and his buddies Huey and Gloria consider themselves some pretty sweet secret agents. They have, after all, rescued a neighborhood dog, saved a small child from drowning… but these kids have their sights set on solving some severe crime. They decide they’re going to capture themselves, a bank robber but get in the way of the police. When they find themselves in some hot water, they’ll need to use their super sleuthing and spy skills to save themselves!

Malcolm at Midnight by W. H. Beck, Illustrated by Brian Lies (Grades 2-5)

Malcolm is jazzed to be the new fifth-grade class pet at school: he’s well-fed, well-loved and has some comfy digs. Even better: he finds out that the rest of the classroom pets are part of a secret society called The Academy, whose charge keeps the students of the school safe. When Aggy the iguana goes missing, the rest of the class pets accuse Malcolm of the crime. See, he chose to hide the fact that he’s not so much a mouse as a rat, and rats are not to be trusted—or are they? This is a delightful mystery with some valuable lessons on acceptance and inclusion.

The Geronimo Stilton series by Geronimo Stilton (Grades 2-5)

I went back and forth as to whether this originally Italian series should be labelled as mystery or adventure, and I think it’s a little bit of both! The books are about globetrotting mouse Geronimo Stilton, a best-selling author, investigative reporter and editor for the Rodent Gazette in New Mouse City, Mouse Island. Stilton embarks on all sorts of wild adventures with his sister Thea, cousin Trap, and nephew Benjamin, keeping a diary of his travels as inspiration for his books. Start with The Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye, where Geronimo and Thea find a mysterious map that leads the pair on a treasure hunt.

The Sherlock Sam series by A.J. Low (Grades 2-5)

Yep. Another Sherlock book, but with a few twists! It’s set in Singapore, our sleuth Samuel Tan Cher Lock (aka Sherlock Sam) is a 10-year-old foodie, and his sidekick is a robot named Watson. Sherlock Sam and the Missing Heirloom in Katong, Sherlock & friends set out to find his auntie’s stolen cookbook. Fun fact: A.J. Low is a husband and wife duo! Adam Jimenez is a Mexican-American author who grew up in California and later moved to Singapore, where he met his wife Felicia Low. A.J. Jimenez plus Felicia Low = A.J. Low.

For plenty more great mystery reads and reviews, check out Pirfly.

New Favorite Mystery Reads for Kids

These books all come highly recommended by the Pirfly review team. Grab them for your young readers today.

Book Scavenger by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

This is the perfect read for kids like me who love puzzles and mysteries. Jennifer Chambliss Bertman’s debut novel follows Emily and James, two books and puzzle-loving kids, on their quest around San Francisco. They find out what happened to Garrison Griswold, the Book Scavenger game’s inventor (geo-caching with books). Kids can play Book Scavenger in real life and seek and hide their favorite books around town.

Greenglass House by Kate Milford, illustrated by Jaime Zollars

This is a classic whodunit story told from Milo’s perspective, a young boy who helps his family run an inn for smugglers. He’s looking forward to a quiet family holiday when an odd cast of characters unexpectedly shows up at the inn. Each guest has a different connection to the inn, and Milo and the cook’s daughter work to unravel the mystery that links them all.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein

Twelve kids are invited to spend a night in the town’s new library created by the legendary game maker Luigi Lemoncello. Adventure and fun are nonstop as the kids work to solve the clues and escape from the library. Perfect for kids who liked Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Night at the Museum.

For plenty more great mystery reads and reviews, check out Pirfly.

Mystery Songs You Should Add to Your Playlist

Music provides us with a chance to escape reality and gives us hope that everything will pan out okay in the end. Artists are now coming up with mystifying songs that give listeners a thrilling experience when they hit the play button. Here are three mystery songs that are likely to impress you.

Woodlawn – Amine

In this song, Amine sings about how he has come a long way. He reveals that he grew up with his Ethiopian-Eritrean family in the Portland neighborhood. Amine sounds like a styling and talented artist in this track. This is due to his ability to deliver educational rhymes that require more in-depth assessment for listeners to understand and enjoy.

Anthems - Charli XCX

"Anthems" is one of Charli XCX's most popular anthems of 2020. In the song, she reveals that she is lonely and wants to meet with her friends. Also, she doesn't mind being shitfaced by her friends. Charli's song has succeeded in providing her audience with a chance to stop being hard on themselves and trust the process.

Disease: BTS

Songwriter BTS has made it possible for viewers to let go of all terror and frustration. The song is extra creepy, enigmatic, and swaggering. The thrilling mood created by the beats makes the music more interesting to hear. BTS fans looking for an exciting track to add to their favorites should give 'Disease' a try.

If you are looking for mystery songs to listen to, head over to Pirfly.com.

Murder Mystery eBooks That Will Leave You in Suspense

Mystery eBooks are perfect for creating a suspense mood that will always leave you eager to know more. They also activate your brain and ensure it is healthy. Here are some of the best murder mystery eBooks that are worth reading.

City of Margins - Wiliam Boyle

Originally published on March 3, 2020, City of Margins captures the author's experience while he was still a child living in the Brooklyn neighborhood. Most of the characters are mob goons, college dropouts, and widows, who make the mystery tale even more enjoyable.

Nightshift - Kiare Ladner

Nightshift is a dark and frightening eBook that will get the reader's heart racing. In the eBook, the author tries to explore female friendship against the nightshift workers of London. Meggie meets up with Sabine when she is 23 years old; she realizes that Sabine is her role model. She decides to give up her daytime shifts and opt to work the same changes as Sabine.

Even - Andrew Grant

Andrew creates a pulse-racing thriller experience in this eBook. Jack Reachers' previous novel motivates David Trevellyan to fight for his life when he finds himself in a tricky situation. He has been framed for a murder incidence that he had not committed and knew nothing about. He decides to investigate the person who is trying to impose the case on him. He discovers that there is a vast international conspiracy that directly links the United States government.

If you are searching for more mystifying mystery eBooks, check out Pirfly.com.

Most Used Quotes From Famous Books

Books have the power to inspire and educate, and they also have sections that can stick in the mind and give us the mantra we need to succeed. Most people will have a quote that they often use from one of their favorite books. Here are some of the most used quotes from famous books.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss has always added important messages to his books, and they are loved by children and adults around the world. In Oh, the Places You’ll Go, he tells people just how important it is to be your own person.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Most students will have been introduced to Shakespeare at some point in their school life, and his plays are packed with quotes that have been used in all types of situations. This famous love story has one of the best quotes that compares Juliet to the sun.

“But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”

When We Were Very Young by A.A. Milne

Winnie-the-Pooh is one of the best-loved children’s characters and many of the quotes people use from the books are there to inspire friendship and love. This quote, however, bestows the importance of exercise.

“A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise.”

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Interesting Movie Facts You May Not Know

Movies are a great way to let yourself drift off into the imagination of the filmmakers and laugh, cry, or be transported to another world. There is often a lot going on behind the scenes at our favorite movies, but some of these facts you might not have heard before. Here are some interesting movie facts that may surprise you.

Die Hard

In 1968, Frank Sinatra starred in a movie called The Detective. The movie was based on a book that got a sequel many years later. The sequel was the basis of the movie Die Hard, and because Sinatra had starred in the prequel, he was contractually obligated to be given the first refusal on Dai Hard. However, by now Sinatra was 73, so declined the offer.

Santa Clause 2

In the sequel to the hugely popular Santa Clause, Tim Allen felt a huge responsibility towards the child actors on set. So much so, that he stayed in character when he was around them and answering their questions about Christmas.

Home Alone

A Christmas favorite, Home Alone features a scene where Marv, played by Daniel Stern, has a tarantula placed on his face. This was going to be a fake spider, but director Chris Columbus wanted it to be a real one. Many think his scream was dubbed, but actually, it wasn’t.

It’s a Wonderful Life

Shot in 1946, this movie featured a lot of fake snow. However, the usual method was to paint cornflakes white but director Frank Capra said it was too noisy and decided to create new fake snow for the movie, using sugar, water, soap flakes, and foamite which was used in fire extinguishers. Another popular alternative at the time was asbestos.

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Murder mysteries to read now

'The Mirror Crack'd' (1980)

The film's about two warring actresses who are starring in the same film together. Poison, meant for one of them, ends up killing another woman—so who's the culprit? This is the only time Angela Lansbury played the classic Agatha Christie character, Miss Marple. But she is glorious in it—and you can see the seeds of the 1980s-90s series Murder She Wrote, in which Lansbury played a modern version of the character. Elizabeth Taylor rants and rages with characteristic flair, and if you're not familiar with her work, here's a great place to start.

'Clue' (1895)

This comedy, based on the classic board game, follows a group of guests at a dinner party who all suspect each other when their host is murdered. It's one of the rare instances in which a game adaptation works, and the original theatrical release had multiple endings distributed out randomly to audiences. (The version you'll watch will have all three, one after the other.)

'The Big Sleep' (1946)

Private investigator Philip Marlowe (Bogart) is hired by General Sternwood to help fix the issue of his daughter, Carmen's, gambling debts. Marlowe turns to the general's older daughter, Vivian (Bacall), who reveals that the situation is much more twisty than it appears. The film dives into how a crime is solved; With literary legend William Faulkner cowriting, the story's aged well.

'Zodiac' (2007)

Director David Fincher's 2007 film took on the still officially unsolved murders of the Zodiac Killer. The film is long and windy but doesn't feel it. If the lack of closure makes you wary of seeing it, don't let that deter you. This film's as riveting as it gets.

For plenty more mystery, head over to www.pirfly.com today.