What are the characteristics of good fiction mystery books?

A good mystery fiction book often has a complex plot. There are usually multiple clues and red herrings that keep the reader guessing. For example, in 'The Hound of the Baskervilles', Doyle uses the moors and the legend of the hound as both a clue and a red herring.

Good realistic fiction mystery books often have well - crafted characters. For example, in 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides, the main characters are complex and their motives are not always clear at first, which adds to the mystery.

Good fiction murder mystery books typically feature a mystery that is not too easy to solve. If it's too obvious, it's not interesting. In books like 'Murder on the Orient Express', Agatha Christie weaves a web of mystery that challenges the reader. They also often have a well - developed setting. A small, gossip - filled town in a mystery can be as important as a character. It gives context to the murders. Moreover, the characters' motives need to be believable. In 'The Silence of the Lambs', the motives of the serial killer are disturbing but they make sense within the context of the story.

One characteristic is the ability to make the reader question what they know about science and reality. In books like 'Blindsight', it challenges our understanding of consciousness and intelligence. Good ones also tend to have complex characters. These characters are driven by the need to solve the mystery, whether it's about a strange phenomenon or a missing piece of technology. And they often have a setting that is both science - fictional and mysterious, like the post - apocalyptic world in 'Snow Crash' that hides many secrets.

Good historical fiction mystery books often have a well - researched historical setting. For example, the clothes, the social norms, and the architecture of the time should be accurately depicted. In 'The Alienist', the details of 1896 New York, like the slums and the upper - class society, are vividly described. Another characteristic is complex characters. They should be believable and have motives that fit the historical context. In 'The Name of the Rose', the characters are complex monks with different beliefs and secrets.

Most of the books in top mystery fiction books have a strong sense of suspense. For example, in 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, the reader is constantly kept in the dark about what really happened to the missing wife. The characters are often complex and not easily definable as good or bad, which adds to the mystery.

One characteristic is the sense of the unknown. In these books, there are often elements that are not fully explained at first, like a strange noise in a haunted house in a horror mystery. Another is the building of suspense. For example, in a mystery where a killer is on the loose, the author slowly reveals clues, keeping the reader on edge. Also, they often have complex characters. In horror mystery, the characters might be hiding secrets or have psychological issues that add to the overall mood.

Well, they often have a recurring detective or investigator. For example, like Sherlock Holmes. They also have complex plots full of twists and turns. Mysterious events happen at the start and the story unfolds as the detective tries to figure out what really happened.

These books typically blend elements of faith and mystery. They may have a plot that revolves around a religious artifact or a prophecy. Characters in these books are often on a spiritual journey while also trying to solve a mystery. In 'The Mark of the Lion' series, the main character's faith journey is intertwined with the mysteries she faces in the Roman society she lives in. The books also tend to have a moral or spiritual lesson at the end.

These books also tend to have complex characters. They are not one - dimensional. The mystery makes the characters more interesting as the readers try to figure out their motives. And the romance gives an emotional depth to the story, making it more than just a simple mystery. It's a blend of the excitement of solving a mystery and the warmth of a romantic relationship.