New murder mystery novels often have complex characters. For example, they might have a detective with a troubled past that affects how they solve the case.
The element of surprise is crucial. These novels often have unexpected twists. Take 'Gone Girl' again. Just when you think you have it all figured out, a new revelation turns the whole story on its head. And in terms of writing style, many of the top ones are very engaging, making it hard to put the book down as you're eager to solve the mystery.
Sure. 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides is a great one. It keeps you guessing with its plot twists. The main character is a psychotherapist trying to figure out why a patient who killed her husband has gone silent.
One great 1800's New York murder mystery novel is 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr. It delves deep into the seedy underbelly of 1890s New York City. The story follows a psychologist, known as an alienist at that time, and a detective as they try to solve a series of gruesome murders. The details of the city, from the slums to the high - society, are vividly portrayed, making it a captivating read for those interested in this era and genre.
Another good one is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. This novel is full of suspense. It tells the story of a man whose wife goes missing, and as the investigation unfolds, all kinds of dark secrets are revealed about their relationship and their lives. It keeps you guessing until the very end.
One common theme was the contrast between the rich and the poor. In 1800's New York, there was a huge gap between the wealthy elite living in grand mansions and the poor struggling in slums. Murder mystery novels often used this divide. For example, a murder might occur in a wealthy neighborhood and the suspect could be someone from the lower classes who had a motive related to envy or exploitation. Another theme was the emerging idea of detective work. Detectives were becoming more prominent figures, and novels would focus on their methods of solving crimes, which were often new and innovative at the time.
A great new murder mystery is 'The Guest List' by Lucy Foley. Set on a remote island during a wedding, things start to go wrong and a murder occurs. The multiple perspectives of the characters keep the reader on their toes as they try to figure out who the killer is among the wedding guests.
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.
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.