Murder mystery novels commonly start by presenting a cast of characters, and then a murder occurs that throws suspicion on each of them. This creates tension and keeps readers guessing as to who the culprit might be.
Typically, they begin by introducing a seemingly normal situation that is suddenly disrupted by a murder. This could be at a party, in a small town, or any setting where the unexpected death catches everyone off guard and launches the mystery-solving process.
Often, murder mystery novels start with the discovery of a body or a mysterious crime scene. This sets the stage for the investigation and builds intrigue from the get-go.
Mostly, murder mystery novels are classified under the genre of mystery or detective fiction. These novels focus on solving a crime, often a murder, through investigation and deduction.
You could begin by introducing a mysterious death scene. Maybe it's in a creepy old mansion or a busy city street at night. Make it intriguing to hook the readers.
Visit your local library and ask the librarian for some classic true murder mystery novels. They are very knowledgeable and can guide you. You could start with a book like 'The Devil in the White City' which has an interesting historical context along with the murder mystery aspect.
One good way is to start with a strange discovery. For example, a character finds a mysterious object like a blood - stained handkerchief in an unexpected place, like their own pocket when they are sure it wasn't there before. This immediately creates intrigue and makes the reader wonder how it got there and what it means.
Start with a missing person. Just say that someone has vanished without a trace. The family and friends are worried sick. This makes the reader curious about what happened to the person. Was it foul play? Who could be responsible? It's a simple yet effective way to draw the reader in.
One great 1985 murder mystery novel is 'A Fatal Inversion' by Barbara Vine. It has a complex plot full of secrets and hidden motives.
Some of the well - known ones are 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie. It's a classic where ten people are lured to an island and murdered one by one in a very mysterious way.
The 'Sherlock Holmes' series by Arthur Conan Doyle are also great murder mystery novels. Holmes uses his brilliant deductive reasoning to solve various complex murder cases in Victorian London. His character and his unique methods of investigation make these stories really engaging.
Another great one is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It combines a complex murder mystery with elements of financial intrigue and a really interesting protagonist, Lisbeth Salander. The story unfolds in a small Swedish town and involves a decades - old disappearance that is full of dark secrets.
One of the best is 'Sherlock Holmes' series by Arthur Conan Doyle. It features the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Dr. Watson. The mysteries are complex and the deductive reasoning is fascinating.