What are some good ideas for murder mystery stories?

One idea could be a murder in a small, isolated town where everyone seems to have a secret. The victim is a newcomer who might have uncovered something that threatened the town's hidden past. For example, a long - forgotten crime or an illegal business operation. Another idea is a murder at a high - society party. The guests are all wealthy and powerful, and any one of them could have a motive, like jealousy over a business deal or a love affair. A third idea is a murder in a spooky old mansion. There could be hidden passages and rooms, and the killer uses the layout of the mansion to their advantage to commit the crime and then disappear.

You could have a murder mystery where the victim is a journalist who was about to expose a big scandal. The killer could be anyone from a corrupt politician to a powerful business tycoon who wants to keep their secrets hidden. It would be interesting to see how the detective tries to uncover the web of lies and cover - ups.

A good murder mystery story typically has a strong sense of mystery from the start. It hooks the reader right away with a puzzling crime. They also often involve some form of deception. This could be a character lying about their whereabouts or their relationship to the victim. In addition, the setting can play a crucial role. A small, isolated town can create a claustrophobic and tense atmosphere, as seen in many murder mysteries set in such locations. The resolution at the end should be satisfying, tying up all the loose ends and making sense of all the previous events.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle is often available for free. It's a classic with brilliant murder mystery plots. Another one is 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' by Edgar Allan Poe, which is considered a pioneer in the murder mystery genre.

One great scary murder mystery story is 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie. It's set on an isolated island where guests are mysteriously murdered one by one. Another is 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. It involves a complex web of murder, mystery, and family secrets in Sweden. Also, 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn is a thrilling tale of a missing wife and the secrets that unfold.

Some good titles could be 'The Shadow of the Killer', 'Mystery in the Dark Alley', 'The Silent Murderer's Mark'.

One idea could be a murder in a small, seemingly idyllic town. The victim is a local shop owner. The detective discovers that the motive is related to a long - hidden family secret. Years ago, the shop owner's family had cheated another family out of a valuable piece of land, and the killer is seeking revenge for that injustice.

A murder occurs in a theater. The victim is an actor. The killer could be a jealous understudy who was constantly overshadowed by the victim. The understudy saw an opportunity when the actor was alone backstage and struck. The detective finds out by looking at the understudy's rehearsal schedule which shows they had ample opportunity to plan the murder.

Think about motives. Love, money, revenge are common ones. But you can also explore more complex motives. For example, someone might commit murder to protect a secret that if revealed would not only destroy them but also many others. And then create characters that fit those motives. You could have a group of friends who all have something to lose if a certain piece of information comes out. And one of them decides to take drastic measures to keep it quiet.

I think 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote is a remarkable murder mystery story. It's based on a true crime, which makes it even more gripping. Capote delved deep into the lives of the murderers and the victims, exploring the motives and the circumstances that led to the brutal killings. It blurs the line between non - fiction and mystery. Also, 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson is excellent. It has a strong female lead, Lisbeth Salander, who helps solve a decades - old mystery involving a wealthy family. The dark themes and complex characters make it a must - read.