10 Greatest Unfinished Novels

Dickens died whilst working on Edwin Drood, which has therefore left us tantalised with the unfinished mystery tale ever since, to the simultaneous delight and chagrin of generations of armchair sleuths. And unlike some of the other entries on this list, Dickens left no plan for the unwritten half of his novel, challenging writers ever since to have a go at writing a solution to this final mystery.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood focuses instead on the titular character's uncle, John Jasper: choirmaster, precentor, opium addict. To make matters more complicated, Jasper is in love with the same woman as his nephew Drood, Miss Rosa Bud, as is another man.

Amidst this romantic intrigue, Edwin Drood suddenly disappears, under the most mysterious of circumstances.

Edwin Drood is worth it alone for the magnificently glooming and foreboding opening scene set in an opium den. And yet, despite its unresolved mystery, there's enough meat on these bones to confirm Drood as Dickens at his finest; despite being half-finished, Edwin Drood is as excellent a novel for fans of the sinister and thrilling as any complete crime book today.