The sense of confinement. In a horror mystery closed - room whodunit novel, the closed - room setting restricts the possibilities. It's like a pressure cooker. For example, in a locked mansion where a murder has occurred, the murderer has to be someone within that limited space. This makes every character a potential suspect and heightens the suspense. You can't just blame some random outsider.
A really good horror mystery closed - room whodunit is 'In the Woods' by Tana French. It has a complex mystery set in a small, closed - off community. The main character is a detective trying to solve a murder that took place years ago in the same woods where he had a strange and traumatic experience as a child. The small - town setting acts like a closed room in a way, with secrets hidden among the locals and a sense of unease throughout the story.
A good one has a complex plot with lots of twists and turns. The mystery has to keep you guessing till the end, and the characters need to be well-developed and interesting.
Another good one is 'The Mystery of the Yellow Room' by Gaston Leroux. The story revolves around a locked room where a crime has been committed, and the detective has to figure out how it was possible, with a lot of twists and turns in the plot.
One great horror mystery whodunit novel is 'The Silence of the Lambs' by Thomas Harris. It features the brilliant and terrifying Hannibal Lecter, and FBI agent Clarice Starling's investigation to catch a serial killer known as 'Buffalo Bill'. The psychological horror and mystery elements blend together perfectly.
First, come up with a really interesting and mysterious setting. It could be an old, haunted mansion or a desolate island. This will set the mood for the horror and mystery. Then, create a cast of diverse characters, each with their own secrets. One of them will be the 'whodunit'.
The slow revelation of information is key. In a closed room mystery, the author gradually discloses details about the room, the people present, and the events leading up to the mystery. This drip - feed of information builds suspense. For instance, as the detective in the story starts to notice small things like a scratch on the window sill or a strange mark on the floor, the reader is eager to find out what these details mean in relation to the overall mystery. It's like a puzzle that the reader is trying to solve along with the detective in the book.
'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown is a great choice. It combines mystery with historical and religious elements for a thrilling read. Another one is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, which has lots of twists and turns.
In this kind of horror room mystery mind story, the mystery often revolves around the true nature of the room. Is it haunted? Or is there some sort of psychological experiment gone wrong? The mind of the protagonist is crucial here. Their thoughts and fears shape their perception of the room and the events that unfold within it.