“This man was poisoned in the chest with a knife!”
Creating a murder mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats is no mean feat. The best mystery books are the ones that weave finely-tuned plots, create tension and offer just clues to keep an audience engaged, crucially, without giving the game away too early. And whether you’re a serial bestseller or just starting out in the world of sleuthing, red herrings and femme fatales, finding fresh and unpredictable ideas can be easier said than done in a genre that has seen plenty of stories in its time. Which is where we here at What We Reading come in. We’ve pulled together some creative murder mystery ideas that are sure to get your creative juices going and your readers guessing from the first page to the very moment your suspects are all rounded up for the big reveal.
What Makes A Good Murder Mystery Story?
Before we dive into our murder mystery ideas, it’s worth sparing a few lines on what makes these types of stories so timelessly captivating.
A successful murder mystery is a story that uses clues and misdirection that challenges not only the characters investigating, but also the reader following along. At its centre, it’s a journey where a violent crime (usually a murder) leads to tension, intrigue and suspense. Whether it’s the police, a detective or an amateur sleuth who has found themselves embroiled in proceedings, readers follow the pursuit of truth and justice, uncovering hidden secrets and motivations lurking beneath the surface.
When writing a good murder mystery, it’s always worth remembering that the ‘why’ and ‘how’ are usually just as crucial as the ‘who’.
How To Find Murder Mystery Ideas
Aside from stellar articles such as this one, inspiration for your murder mystery stories can come from anywhere. Some of the most popular places writers have pointed to include:
- Historical Eras: Certain historical periods or events can help build a murder mystery within that context. The setting can add a unique depth to the story.
- Real-World Crimes: Often, real life can prove to be the best inspiration. Take inspiration from true-crime stories, unsolved cold cases or historical mysteries.
- Myths And Legends: Dive into local folklore, urban myths and legends and other mysterious occurrences near to you. These sorts of tales usually contain the perfect amount of suspense to provide a backdrop for a murder mystery.
- Unanswered Questions: Life and history is full of ‘what ifs’ and other unanswered questions in existing tales. Your story can be used to fill in some of these gaps.
- Relationship Dynamics: Family feuds, messy love triangles or ambitious business rivalries are all some of the most timeless formulas behind a good murder mystery story.
- Character Traits: Do any of your characters have specific personalities or quirks that could be used to drive the story forward? Characters are usually at the heart of the intrigue and, the more unique the character, the more compelling the mystery.
- Exotic Locales: Everything from remote fortresses, and mountainside cabins to bustling fantastical cities where secrets run rife can provide inspiration for a compelling mystery. If you’re struggling with inspiration for your ideas, fleshing out the setting might provide the spark you need.
Check Out The Best Murder Mystery Books For Teens
Murder Mystery Story Idea Prompts
If you’re still on the hunt for something to get your imagination flowing, here are some unique murder mystery prompts for your writing. Writing prompts are some of the best ways of feeling creative and overcoming writer’s block, and you’re more than free to mix them up or add your own fresh twist on these:
The Virtual Reality Nightmare
A group of gamers are beta-testing a highly immersive virtual reality game. When one player dies in the game, they die in real life as well. The remaining gamers must work out who in the group is manipulating the game to commit murder before they find themselves as the next victim.
The Time Traveller’s Dilemma
A historian invents a time machine to witness an infamous historical murder in the flesh. But, upon their return, they find themselves as the chief suspect and evidence pointing to them. Did they actually commit the murder, or is there another murder?
The Phantom Orchestra
During a rehearsal in an abandoned opera house, the conductor suddenly drops dead, seemingly from natural causes. But, as the musicians dig deeper, they realise that the death mimics a curse outlined in an unfinished piece composed by another musician who died mysteriously years ago.
The Enchanted Library
In a small town, a library rumoured to be haunted holds a hidden room that only opens once a century. When it opens, a body is discovered inside – a murder that had been committed a hundred years ago. Who killed them, and why did the room stay hidden?
The Last Broadcast
A popular radio DJ is found dead mere moments after coming off air during their final show, during which they claimed to have unearthed a shocking secret. The sleuth must piece together clues left in the broadcast to discover the secret and the truth behind the death.
The Stolen Memories
A group of friends wake up after a night of partying to find that one of them is dead. Unfortunately, none of them can remember what happened. As they try to piece together the night before, they realise someone is tampering with their memories to cover up the murder.
The Cursed Heirloom
A family heirloom, rumoured to be cursed, has been passed down through generations. Each owner has suffered a mysterious death. When the current owner is also discovered dead under mysterious circumstances, the detectives must work out whether the curse is real, or whether a killer is using it to mask their crimes.
The Disappearing Island
An island appears only once a decade. During its last appearance, a famous explorer was found dead on its shores. Now, ten years on, a group of investigators return to the island to discover the truth, before it disappears again.
The Cult Of Mirrors
A series of murders in a small town strangely involves all the victims being surrounded by mirrors. Each mirror is shattered, and the crime scenes have no fingerprints. The detective tasked with solving the crime must work out the connection between the victims and the mysterious ‘Cult of Mirrors’.
The Vanishing Painting
After an art heist goes awry, the thief is found dead inside a locked gallery. The only clue left behind is a painting that appears to have changed overnight. The detective must figure out the significance of the painting and how it relates to the murder.
The Final Performance
During the opening night of a highly-anticipated play, the lead actor is killed on stage in front of a live audience. The prop gun was supposed to be fake, but it wasn’t. As the sleuth investigates, they uncover a sprawling web of jealousy, betrayal and ambition among the cast and crew.
The Ghost Writer
A famous author dies under suspicious circumstances whilst writing their latest novel. The manuscript is unfinished, but strange new pages keep appearing. Is someone continuing the story, or is the author trying to finish things from beyond the grave?
The Blackout Party
A high-profile charity event at a luxury hotel is interrupted by a sudden blackout. When the lights are turned back on, one of the guests is dead. The hotel is locked down, everyone becomes a suspect, and the killer may strike again.
The Silent Witness
A murder is committed in a remote cabin with just a single witness – the dog that belonged to the victim. The protagonist must find a way to ‘communicate’ with the dog to uncover the clues needed to solve the mystery.
The Whispering Walls
In a historic estate undergoing extensive renovations, construction workers start hearing whispers from inside the walls. When a skeleton is found behind a false wall, it becomes clear that the whispers may be the key to solving a long-forgotten murder.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
