Best 'Locked-Room' Mystery Novels You Must Read

There’s something incredibly gripping about a ‘locked-room’ mystery. The intrigue of a confined setting, the tension of characters who can't escape one another, and the suspense of uncovering the murderer who lurks among them create the perfect recipe for a thrilling read. If you’re a fan of this mystery subgenre, you’re in for a treat. Here are some of the best ‘locked-room’ mystery novels that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

“Ten strangers are lured to an isolated island mansion by a mysterious host, and start to die one by one. Who among them is the killer?”

Considered the quintessential 'locked-room' mystery, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie features a group of strangers invited to a remote island. As they are systematically killed off, Christie's masterful plot twists and red herrings keep readers guessing until the very end. It’s a classic that has set the standard for the genre.

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

“Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate the legend of a supernatural hound stalking the Baskerville family.”

Although not a traditional 'locked-room' mystery, the eerie atmosphere of the Baskerville estate and the suspense of Sherlock Holmes' investigation make The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle a must-read for fans of the genre. The moorlands provide a confined sense of isolation that's palpable, enhancing the tension and mystery surrounding the Baskerville family's curse.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

“A wedding celebration on a remote island turns haunting as guests are trapped by a storm and a killer among them.”

On a remote island off the coast of Ireland, a wedding celebration turns dark as a storm isolates the guests and the body count begins to rise. In The Guest List by Lucy Foley, Foley combines a compelling whodunit with deeply drawn characters, each harboring secrets that unfurl in gothic layers. The juxtaposition of celebration and horror makes this a riveting read.

One by One by Ruth Ware

“In a luxurious chalet in the French Alps, an avalanche traps a tech company's employees, and they start dying one by one.”

A modern take on the 'locked-room' mystery, One by One by Ruth Ware follows the employees of a tech company on a corporate retreat in the French Alps. An avalanche traps them in their luxurious chalet, and one by one, they start to die. Ware expertly blends psychological tension with physical isolation, leaving readers breathlessly turning the pages.

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

“A live-in nanny in a high-tech house in the Scottish Highlands faces escalating tension and strange occurrences.”

Another gem by Ware, The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware is a psychological thriller that dives into the story of a live-in nanny in a high-tech house in the Scottish Highlands. The isolation is both physical and psychological, as the nanny confronts strange occurrences that heighten the sense of dread. The modern setting contrasts with the timeless unease of being trapped and isolated.

Snow White Must Die by Nele Neuhaus

“In a small German town, the return of a convicted murderer sets off a chain reaction of events, exposing buried secrets.”

While more of a police procedural, Snow White Must Die by Nele Neuhaus captures the eerie essence of small-town isolation and secrets. This German thriller entangles readers in a twisty plot and dark atmosphere, making it a gripping read despite diverging from the locked-room setting. The claustrophobic atmosphere of hidden secrets and the tension of the unknown keep the suspense alive.

These novels offer a mix of classic and contemporary takes on the ‘locked-room’ genre, ensuring there’s something for every mystery enthusiast. Whether you prefer historical settings or modern twists, these books are sure to satisfy your craving for suspense and intrigue.