I love mysteries and thrillers, but one of my favorite tropes to read is locked-room thrillers. I love trying to figure out how the crime was committed and who is the culprit. The way mystery writers create these out of thout-of-the-boxvative scenarios has fascinated always me and it is a trope that I continuously returned to.
So I thought I would list what I consider to be by far the most exemplary examples of locked-room thrillers. There are so many out there but I feel that if you are looking to get into the trope, then these are great reads for beginners:
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
I consider Christie to be the Queen of Locked Room Thrillers. But out of the ones she has written, this by far is the best one and the one that rules them all. Most contemporary writers have tried to mimic the setup of this classic. Some have succeeded and some haven’t. However, the original is always the best.
The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
I didn’t think I could enjoy another contemporary locked room mystery but then I discovered this one and I am yet again left with chills down my spine. This book had everything: a lonesome house in the Scottish wilderness, mysterious death and house of suspects. I love the plotting of this novel. It had you guessing who both the victim and the culprit was until the very last page.
The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji
A fresh round of violent deaths begins, and Ayatsuji’s skillful, furious pacing propels the narrative. As the students are picked off one by one, he weaves in the story of the mainland investigation of the earlier murders. This is a homage to Golden Age detective fiction, but it’s also unabashed entertainment.” (Credit:
Pushkin Vertigo)
Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie
It is not a locked room thriller list without mentioning this surprising and twisting mystery! Although I liked the story Death on The Nile better, the surprising twist for Murder On The Orient Express makes it so shocking and surprising that readers will continue to scratch their heads after putting this one down.
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
I was completely floored by every revelation revealed to me. You think you have an idea but then surprisingly you are completely thrown, which is how a great mystery should be! If you are looking for a high concept and innovative locked room thriller, Stuart Turton is the author for you!
Hostage by Clare Mackintosh
Such an innovative and suspenseful thriller! Just had the right amount fast spaced storytelling that entertain and intrigue any mystery fan from beginning to end.
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie
If you are looking for a mystery in a holiday setting, then Hercule Poirot’s Christmas is the perfect one to read. A manor house snowed in during the holiday season? What more could you ask for in a locked room thriller?
56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard
I didn’t think I would be ready to read a book about the pandemic and lockdown but this was a book that blew me away! I could not put it down! It really had me guessing. I liked how that although it took place during the global pandemic it didn’t take over the whole plot but it didn’t ignore that was happening either. It provided an equal balance of it with a mixture of an enticing thriller that really keeps you on the edge of your seat!
Five Survive by Holly Jackson
I was completely spent after reading this one! I didn’t think Jackson could top herself after A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder series, but once again, Jackson has enthralled us with a haunting thriller that I had a hard time putting down! What I love about Jackson’s books is that her mysteries are realistic and have teens deal with real-life repercussions and never sugarcoat anything for them. All I know is that I won’t look at RVs the same again (let alone go into one 😅)!
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