There are quite a few options. For example, 'The Hidden Murderer' is a simple yet effective name. It makes the reader immediately curious about who the hidden murderer is. Another one could be 'Death's Veiled Secret'. This name creates an air of mystery as it suggests that there is a secret related to the death that is veiled or hidden. Also, 'The Unsolved Murder Riddle' is a good choice as it implies that the story is going to be about a murder that is like a riddle waiting to be solved.
The 'Sherlock Holmes' stories, especially 'A Study in Scarlet', are great murder mystery stories. Sherlock Holmes uses his brilliant deductive reasoning to solve the case. In 'A Study in Scarlet', he first meets Dr. Watson and they start investigating a murder that has some very strange elements, like a message written in blood on the wall.
The top 10 murder mystery stories often have complex plots. For example, they might involve multiple suspects, each with their own motives and alibis. They also usually have a detective or an investigator figure, like Sherlock Holmes, who uses logic and observation to piece together the mystery. Another characteristic is the element of suspense. The stories keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering who the killer is. For instance, in 'And Then There Were None', the constant threat of another death creates a great deal of suspense.
I really like 'Gone Girl'. It's a murder mystery that takes so many twists and turns. The story is told from different perspectives, which adds to the mystery. You start off thinking one thing about the characters and then as the story unfolds, you realize everything is not as it seems. Also, 'Sherlock Holmes' online stories are always classic. Holmes' brilliant deductions and the various mysteries he solves are always engaging.
Raymond Chandler is a top - notch author for murder mystery. His hard - boiled detective stories, such as 'Farewell, My Lovely', are set in a gritty, noir - like world. His writing style is very distinct, with sharp dialogue and a sense of the seedy underbelly of society. Then there's Dashiell Hammett. His works, like 'The Maltese Falcon', are full of intrigue. The complex characters and the search for a valuable object at the center of the mystery make his stories engaging.
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.
One characteristic is the unexpected alibis. Like in the story where the gardener said he was watering the plants at night but it rained that day so there was no need. Another is the comical characters. For example, a bumbling detective who always gets the wrong clues at first but in a funny way. Also, the situations can be humorous. Such as when the suspects all start blaming each other in a really over - the - top and comical manner.
One great murder mystery short story is 'The Speckled Band' by Arthur Conan Doyle. It has a very tense atmosphere and a clever detective in Sherlock Holmes who solves the mystery of a woman's death in a locked room situation. Another good one is 'Lamb to the Slaughter' by Roald Dahl. In this story, the unexpected twist is really engaging as the wife uses a frozen leg of lamb to cover up her crime. And then there's 'The Cask of Amontillado' by Edgar Allan Poe. The dark and brooding setting, along with the narrator's revenge plot, makes it a classic murder mystery short story.
Suspense is key. In stories like 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', the reader is constantly on edge, waiting for the next clue or revelation. The setting can also play a big role. A dark, gloomy place like an old mansion in 'Rebecca' adds to the overall mood of mystery.