A great theme for mystery stories is identity theft. In this case, the victim suddenly discovers that their life has been turned upside down as someone else is impersonating them, and they have to find out who and why. Another theme is the mystery of a locked room. How did someone manage to commit a crime in a room that was locked from the inside? It creates a puzzle that the reader wants to see solved. Also, the theme of a secret society can be very interesting. A character stumbles upon a group that seems to be operating in the shadows, and they must uncover the society's goals, rituals, and members.
Some good themes are the mystery of a shipwreck. There could be rumors of a valuable cargo on board or a dark secret that led to the ship's demise. Also, the mystery of a strange sound in an old house at night. Is it a ghost or something more earthly? And then there's the theme of a missing painting. It was a masterpiece, and now it's gone, and the search for it uncovers art theft rings and forgeries.
Well, the theme of lost treasures is quite prevalent. India has a long history of kingdoms and dynasties, and many mystery stories are based on the search for a long - lost treasure. It could be gold hidden in an old fort or a precious jewel that was lost during a war. Another common theme is the mystery of the unknown or the unexplained. There are stories about strange disappearances in remote areas, where the cause remains a mystery. This ties in with the idea of the vast and diverse geography of India, which still has many unexplored places full of potential mysteries.
One common theme is identity. Gay characters often struggle with their sexual identity within the context of the mystery. Another is secrecy. Secrets related to their relationships or their own selves are often at the heart of the mystery. For example, in many stories, a gay character may be hiding their relationship for fear of social repercussions, and this secrecy becomes part of the mystery plot.
One good plot is a missing heir mystery. There's an old, wealthy family and suddenly a will is discovered, but the heir named in it has vanished. This sets off a search among various characters who all have motives to either find the heir first or keep them from being found. It could involve a lot of family secrets and hidden pasts.
The classic 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' by Arthur Conan Doyle is a great mystery. It involves a strange and terrifying hound on the moors, a family curse, and Sherlock Holmes' brilliant deductions to solve the case.
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.
For a murderer name in a story, 'Silas Grim'. 'Silas' sounds old - fashioned and a bit menacing. 'Grim' directly tells the readers that this character is not a pleasant one. Also, 'Raven Darkmoor' is a great choice. 'Raven' is a symbol of death and mystery in many cultures, and 'Darkmoor' gives an impression of a dark and desolate place where evil might lurk.
Sherlock. It's a classic detective name, made famous by Sherlock Holmes. His deductive skills and unique personality make it a great choice for a detective in a story.
Well, strange noises heard by witnesses are good clues. Imagine in a spooky old mansion mystery, a witness hears a creaking sound every night at the same time from a supposedly empty room. It could lead to the discovery of a hidden passage or some secret activity. Another good clue is an unusual item found in a suspect's possession, like a rare coin that has a connection to the victim or the crime scene.