The Best Locked Room Mysteries to Read Right Now
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If you love books filled with puzzles, suspense, and shocking twists, locked room mysteries should be at the top of your reading list. These thrillers trap characters in isolated settings—whether on an island, a train, or a luxurious estate—forcing them to uncover secrets and solve crimes before it’s too late.
Today, we’re sharing some of the best locked room mysteries, from classic reads to modern psychological thrillers and young adult favorites. Plus, stick around for an exclusive after-show on Substack where we’ll share even more recommendations.
Classic Locked Room Mysteries
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
You can’t talk about locked room mysteries without mentioning the queen of crime herself, Agatha Christie. This book is the gold standard of the genre.
- Premise: Ten strangers are invited to a secluded island under false pretenses. Once they arrive, they’re accused of past crimes—and then, one by one, they start dying.
- Why Read It? The tension is high, secrets spill out at every turn, and the final reveal is legendary.
- Bonus: There’s also a great TV adaptation worth watching.
Modern Locked Room Mysteries
They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall
A contemporary twist on And Then There Were None.
- Premise: A woman and her friends are lured to an island for a luxurious retreat, only to realize they’re trapped in a dangerous game of revenge.
- Why Read It? This book explores betrayal, guilt, and trust, making it a suspenseful and thought-provoking read.
The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
A mind-bending locked room puzzle with a time loop.
- Premise: Aiden Bishop wakes up in a different person’s body each day, trying to solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle. Every shift in perspective forces him to question everything he thought he knew.
- Why Read It? If you love intricate plotting and unpredictable twists, this book will keep you on your toes.
Locked Room Mysteries Set on Trains
With a Vengeance by Riley Sager (Coming Summer 2025)
- Premise: Set in 1954, a woman invites her enemies on a train from Philadelphia to Chicago for revenge—until a killer disrupts her plan.
- Why Read It? This historical mystery delivers classic Agatha Christie vibes with plenty of suspense.
The Main Character by Jaclyn Goldis
- Premise: A famous thriller author invites a woman on a train journey through Italy, only to reveal she’s the subject of her next book—and that her past is catching up to her.
- Why Read It? A messy, dramatic ride packed with high-stakes psychological suspense.
Everyone on This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
- Premise: A crime novelist joins a train full of fellow authors—until one of them is murdered. Suddenly, they all become suspects.
- Why Read It? A mix of whodunit humor and clever twists, this book is perfect for fans of Murder on the Orient Express.
Young Adult Locked Room Mysteries
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
- Premise: At an elite boarding school, a teen detective sets out to solve a decades-old unsolved crime—only for a new murder to happen right under her nose.
- Why Read It? If you love true crime podcasts and TikTok-style sleuthing, this YA mystery is for you.
One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
- Premise: Five students walk into detention, but only four make it out alive.
- Why Read It? Think The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars—but with murder, secrets, and high school drama.
Seasick by Kristin Cast & Pintip Dunn
- Premise: Two former best friends board a luxury yacht, only to realize a killer is on board—and there’s no escape in the middle of the ocean.
- Why Read It? If you enjoy maritime mysteries like The Woman in Cabin 10, this high-stakes thriller is a must-read.
Bonus Reader Recommendation
Snowblind by Ragnar Jónasson
- Premise: An Icelandic locked room mystery set in a snowy, isolated town.
- Why Read It? Perfect for winter reading—dark, moody, and full of suspense.
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Final Thoughts
Whether you love classic mysteries, psychological thrillers, or YA suspense, there’s a locked room mystery here for you.
What’s your favorite locked room mystery? Share your recommendations in the comments.
Join us next week as we dive into spring reading recommendations.
Want even more book recommendations? Happy reading!