Locked room fiction books captivate with intricate puzzles and confined settings, often blending mystery with psychological tension. Originating from Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” this subgenre challenges detectives to unravel crimes committed in seemingly impossible circumstances. Whether it’s a remote mansion, a train compartment, or a sealed chamber, the confined space intensifies the mystery, limiting suspects and clues. Authors like Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, and John Dickson Carr masterfully weave intricate plots, deceiving readers with clever twists and turns. Locked room fiction thrives on suspense, pushing readers to piece together clues and solve enigmatic crimes in seemingly impenetrable environments.
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (1868): Wilkie Collins’s “The Moonstone” begins with the theft of a valuable diamond, the Moonstone, from a locked room in an English country house. As suspicion falls on various household members, including servants and guests, a web of intrigue and deception unfolds. Through multiple narrators and twists, Collins creates a compelling narrative of mystery and suspense, cementing “The Moonstone” as one of the earliest and most influential examples of the genre.
The Mystery of the Yellow Room by Gaston Leroux (1907): Gaston Leroux’s classic “The Mystery of the Yellow Room” revolves around the inexplicable attempted murder of a young woman in a locked room with yellow wallpaper. Journalist Joseph Rouletabille investigates the crime, encountering perplexing clues and enigmatic suspects. Leroux’s novel, hailed as a cornerstone of locked room fiction, captivates with its intricate plot and unexpected twists, leaving readers enthralled until the ingenious resolution.
The Demon of Dartmoor by Arthur Morrison (1914): Set on the eerie moors of Dartmoor, “The Demon of Dartmoor” follows detective Horace Dorrington as he investigates a series of gruesome murders attributed to a mythical creature. As Dorrington delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of deceit and betrayal, leading to a startling revelation that challenges his beliefs about the supernatural.
The Murder Wheel: A Locked-Room Mystery by Ellery Queen (1932): “The Murder Wheel” presents a baffling case where a man is found dead in a locked room with a revolver nearby, but all evidence points to suicide. However, Detective Ellery Queen suspects foul play and must unravel the complex web of deceit surrounding the victim’s family and associates to uncover the truth behind the seemingly impossible murder.
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (1934): In “Murder on the Orient Express,” legendary detective Hercule Poirot finds himself aboard the famous train when a wealthy passenger is murdered in a locked compartment. With a limited pool of suspects and no way for the killer to escape, Poirot must use his keen powers of deduction to unravel the mystery before the train reaches its destination. Christie’s masterful plotting and ingenious twist ending have made “Murder on the Orient Express” a classic of the locked room mystery genre.
The Hollow Man by John Dickson Carr (1935): In “The Hollow Man,” a murder is committed inside a locked room, where the only exit is watched by witnesses. Dr. Gideon Fell, a detective, takes on the case, exploring seemingly supernatural elements while unravelling the truth behind the baffling murder. Carr’s meticulous plotting and intricate clues keep readers guessing until the shocking reveal, showcasing his mastery of the locked room mystery.
The Burning Court by John Dickson Carr (1937): In “The Burning Court,” a man is found dead in a locked room with no apparent cause of death. As suspicion falls on his wife and her eccentric family, lawyer Patrick Butler is called upon to defend her. However, as he delves deeper into the case, Butler uncovers a tangled web of lies and dark secrets, leading to a shocking revelation that challenges everything he thought he knew.
The Case of the Constant Suicides by John Dickson Carr (1941): Set in a remote Scottish castle, “The Case of the Constant Suicides” presents a series of apparent suicides that occur in a locked room. Detective Gideon Fell delves into the eerie circumstances, uncovering hidden motives and secrets among the eccentric cast of characters. Carr delivers a captivating tale filled with suspense and clever twists, solidifying his reputation as a maestro of locked room mysteries.
Rim of the Pit by Hake Talbot (1944): Set in a remote Canadian lodge during a snowstorm, “Rim of the Pit” follows a group of strangers who become trapped together. When a member of the party is found murdered in a locked room, suspicion falls on each of them as they struggle to survive the harsh conditions and uncover the identity of the killer. Talbot’s atmospheric writing and intricate plot twists make “Rim of the Pit” a classic locked room mystery.
The King Is Dead by Ellery Queen (1952): “The King Is Dead” centers on the murder of a wealthy businessman in his heavily fortified mansion, seemingly impenetrable from the outside. Ellery Queen, the renowned amateur detective, must navigate a maze of clues and suspects within the confines of the mansion to uncover the truth behind the locked room murder. Queen’s meticulous sleuthing and the intricate puzzle of the case make “The King Is Dead” a captivating addition to the locked room mystery canon.
The Tokyo Zodiac Murders by Soji Shimada (1981): “The Tokyo Zodiac Murders” presents a perplexing case where an artist plans a series of murders inspired by the signs of the zodiac, each occurring in locked rooms, before mysteriously disappearing. Amateur sleuth Kiyoshi Mitarai, along with his assistant, must unravel the intricate puzzle and decipher the cryptic clues left behind by the deceased artist. Shimada’s intricate plotting and elaborate twists make for a riveting read, blending elements of classic locked room mysteries with Japanese culture and folklore.
The Invisible Circle by Paul Halter (1991): “The Invisible Circle” centers on a group of friends who gather for a séance in a remote mansion. When one of them is found dead in a locked room, suspicion falls on the remaining guests, each with a motive and an alibi. As amateur sleuth Alan Twist unravels the cryptic clues, he uncovers a tangled web of lies and deception hidden within the elusive invisible circle.
The Crimson Fog by Paul Halter (1997): In “The Crimson Fog,” a renowned detective is called to investigate a murder that occurs during a dense fog that blankets the city. With visibility reduced to near zero and the streets deserted, the detective must rely on his wits to unravel the mystery before the killer strikes again. As the fog lifts, secrets are revealed, leading to a shocking conclusion that defies expectations.
Snowblind by Ragnar Jónasson (2010): In “Snowblind,” a rookie policeman investigates a series of murders that occur in a small Icelandic town during a blizzard, isolating the inhabitants in a locked-down environment. As the bodies pile up and suspicion mounts, secrets buried beneath the snow begin to surface, revealing a tangled web of deceit and betrayal. Jónasson’s atmospheric prose and chilling setting heighten the sense of claustrophobia and suspense, delivering a gripping tale of murder in an isolated community.
Mr. Splitfoot by Samantha Hunt (2016): In “Mr. Splitfoot,” Ruth and Nat, two orphans raised by a fraudulent spiritualist, embark on a journey across upstate New York. Meanwhile, Ruth’s niece, Cora, finds herself drawn into a mysterious cult. As their paths intertwine, secrets are revealed, leading to a shocking confrontation that blurs the line between the supernatural and reality.
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware (2016): In “The Woman in Cabin 10,” journalist Lo Blacklock witnesses a murder aboard a luxury cruise ship in the North Sea. Despite the confined space of the ship and the tight security, no one believes her story, and the alleged victim remains missing. Ware crafts a gripping narrative of psychological suspense, blurring the lines between truth and deception, and keeping readers on the edge until the final revelation.
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton (2018): In “The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle,” protagonist Aiden Bishop wakes up each day in a different body, tasked with solving the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle to escape this surreal time loop. Set in a sprawling English estate, the novel blends elements of locked room mystery with time travel and psychological suspense, keeping readers guessing until the final twist. Turton’s inventive premise and intricate plotting make for a compelling and unconventional take on the genre.
The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley (2019): Set in a remote Scottish lodge during a New Year’s Eve celebration, “The Hunting Party” follows a group of friends whose reunion turns deadly when one of them is found murdered in a locked room. As tensions rise and secrets unravel, Detective Chief Inspector Heather Badenoch races against time to uncover the killer’s identity amidst the treacherous winter landscape. Foley crafts a gripping tale of betrayal and suspense, weaving together multiple perspectives to keep readers guessing until the shocking climax.
They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall (2019): In “They All Fall Down,” Miriam Macy joins a group of strangers on a secluded island for an exclusive retreat, only to find herself trapped when a hurricane hits and a murder occurs in a locked room. With communication cut off and suspicion mounting, Miriam must navigate the dangerous dynamics among the guests to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again. Hall crafts a gripping psychological thriller, filled with twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the final shocking revelation.
The Sanatorium: A Novel by Sarah Pearse (2021): Set in a converted sanatorium in the Swiss Alps, “The Sanatorium” follows detective Elin Warner as she investigates a murder that occurs in a locked room during a blizzard. Trapped by the storm with a group of suspicious guests, Elin must navigate the eerie corridors of the old building to uncover the killer’s identity before they strike again. Pearse’s atmospheric writing and intricate plot twists create a sense of mounting tension, drawing readers into a chilling tale of secrets and deception.
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And that’s our list of the twenty best locked room fiction books. What’s your take on these – any surprises, or any locked room fiction books not on this list that you feel should make the top twenty?