A character with a mysterious past is a great hook. For instance, a new neighbor moves in and has a tattoo on his wrist that seems to be a code or a symbol related to a long - forgotten crime. The other characters, and the readers, are then intrigued to find out who this person really is and what their past holds.
An unusual inheritance can also serve as a hook. Say a character inherits an old mansion filled with locked rooms and a diary written in a strange language. It makes the reader want to know what secrets the mansion holds and what the diary reveals.
You can start with a unique sound. 'The screech of the brakes echoed through the silent night, and then there was only darkness.' This sound hooks the reader's attention and makes them wonder what happened. Another hook could be a strange object. 'The small, golden key with strange symbols engraved on it was the only clue.' It creates intrigue about the key and where it might lead. Also, a curious situation like 'All the animals in the zoo were acting strangely today, as if they knew something the humans didn't.' This makes the reader want to know what the animals know and why they're acting that way.
A sudden scream in the dead of night can be a great hook. It creates an immediate sense of unease and mystery. The reader will be eager to find out who screamed and why.
Sure. 'I was born into a world of chaos, but it was that chaos that shaped my life into something extraordinary.' This hook sets up an interesting contrast between a chaotic start and an extraordinary outcome. It makes the reader eager to find out how the chaos influenced your life for the better.
A prophetic statement at the beginning can be a hook. Such as 'In three days, the world will end, but only one person can stop it.' It creates a sense of urgency and mystery.
An old photograph that seems to change on its own can be a very spooky hook. 'He found an old photo in the attic. It was a picture of his family from decades ago. But every time he looked at it, a new figure seemed to appear in the background, a figure with a menacing look in its eyes.'
How about a family finding a strange key on Christmas Eve that seems to fit no known lock in their house? It might unlock a hidden attic filled with long - forgotten Christmas memories or a secret passage to a magical Christmas world.
A strange object found in an unexpected place can be a great hook. For example, a golden key in a modern, high - tech office. It makes the reader wonder where it came from and what it unlocks.
A discovery of a strange object. It could be an ancient artifact with unreadable inscriptions found in an unexpected place like a local park or in an old attic. The object's origin and purpose are unknown, and it seems to hold some sort of power or significance.
Definitely. 'Veiled' is a wonderful word. A veiled threat or a veiled identity can add depth to a mystery. 'Abstruse' means difficult to understand, so if there are abstruse clues in a mystery, it makes the story more engaging. 'Inscrutable' is another great one. An inscrutable expression on a character's face can keep the reader guessing. For example, the detective stared at the suspect with an inscrutable look, making it hard to tell what he was thinking.
An unusual object or symbol that keeps popping up can be a good hook too. Say, a strange amulet is found at every crime scene. This mystery surrounding the amulet will intrigue readers and make them eager to find out its significance in the story.