20 Locked Room Mysteries To Read NOW

What Is A Locked Room Mystery?

It is no secret that almost every mystery nerd has an obsession with the "locked room" trope. To define it briefly, it basically refers to a crime that takes place within the bounds of a specific area, which makes it impossible for outside intervention to take place. Therefore, all the characters present in that particular location come under a microscope, leading to a set of fixed possibilities. While many classic mystery authors like Agatha Christie have penned such mysteries, this list is dominated by modern locked room thrillers that will not let you set them them aside.

1. The Decagon House Murders, by Yukito Ayatsuji 

When college students belonging to a mystery club decide to visit a deserted island, their spirits are high. However, the island is the site of a horrific quadruple murder that took place a while back. It doesn't bother the group until the first person turns up dead. Will the rest be able to solve the mystery before they become victims too? Read the novel to find out. 

2. The Guest List, by Lucy Foley

A dream wedding taking place on a remote island seems to be the perfect escape for all the seemingly affluent guests. However, as complicated secrets surface, someone dies. Who is the jealous murderer, and what motive do they have? The answers lie in the book itself. 

3. The Girls Weekend, by Jody Gehrman

June Moody is tired of her crappy life, and so she reluctantly says yes when her mega-rich friend invites her to a friend's reunion at her sprawling Island mansion. But things go South when her friend goes missing, leaving the place in shambles. What happened to Sadie, and who is the criminal? Only one way to find out. 

4. One By One, by Ruth Ware

Eight co-workers gather at a rustic mountain chalet for a retreat arranged by the company. Among professional grudges, things worsen when they are snowed in together. Cut off from the world, they become desperate for survival. Will all eight of them be able to make it out alive? Find out the answers in this tense locked room thriller. 

5. Daisy Darker, by Alice Feeney

In this modern And Then There Were None novel, a family reunion by the sea goes awfully wrong. Daisy's Nana is found dead at midnight, with another family member following soon after. One thing is clear; someone on the island is killing them off one by one. Can they save themselves until the tide goes out? Or will they perish? 

6. In A Dark, Dark Wood, by Ruth Ware

When Leonora goes into the deep countryside to attend what appears to be a cozy weekend away, things take a sinister turn. Old secrets come up and the atmosphere gets tense. Are they really alone in the woods? Or is someone lurking around for their own agenda? Read this intense thriller to find out. 

7. Nine Perfect Strangers, by Liane Moriarty

A remote health resort attracts nine troubled guests that are struggling with their own unique issues. Amidst the luxury and grandeur of the resort, something is certainly off. As the tensions escalate, the members begin to question the owner of the resort, and each other. Should they stay, or run in the other direction? The answer unfolds in Moriarty's shocking psychological thriller. 

8. The Writing Retreat, by Julia Bartz

Five aspiring authors are selected for a remote writing retreat whereby they have to complete an entire novel from scratch. The best one will receive a 7 figure publishing deal. The set-up seems flawless, until the women begin to die. It is up to our protagonist to protect herself, and also figure out who exactly is behind the murders. 

9. The Woman In Cabin 10, by Ruth Ware

Set on a luxurious cruise ship, this locked-door mystery follows a travel writer who has been selected for a special assignment. The sea is calm and everything feels a little too good to be true. That is, until the main character sees a woman being thrown overboard. But why doesn't anyone else seem to have noticed? 

10. They All Fall Down, by Rachel Howzel 

Seven strangers end up in a sprawling mansion on a distant island surrounded by miles of open water. They soon learn that they have been invited under false pretences. As the farces begin to tumble, they all fall down, one by one. 

11. Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six, by Lisa Unger

A weekend getaway from friends and family is the dream vacation for the three couples that rent a cabin deep in the woods. However, there is someone who is biding their time to exact a revenge for things long lost in the past. Who is the secret impostor? And just how far will they go to fulfill their payback? 

12. The Mystery Of The Yellow Room, by Gaston Leroux

Soon after a young woman goes to bed, shouts of 'Murder' erupt. Her father and a servant discover her dead body in the room. However, there is one glaring problem. There is no exit to the room except the door. How did the killer get away? This classic mystery holds the solution. 

13. The Hunting Party, by Lucy Foley

A bunch of Oxford graduates gather to celebrate New Year's Eve, when a blizzard isolated them from the rest of the world. Just two days after, one of them ends up dead. What seemed like an innocent gathering turns into a bloodbath. It is up to the reader to figure out who among the friends is a murderer. 

14. An Unwanted Guest, by Shari Lapena

Set in the cozy premises of a hotel, this book follows a familiar narrative. A group of strangers stuck together during a storm, bearing witness to one murder after another. Who could possibly have a motive to kill them all? 

15. The Sanatorium, by Sarah Pearse

Elin is taking a break from her job as a detective, but when her brother invites her to his engagement at a hotel in the Swiss Alps, she can't refuse. All is fine until the fiance goes missing, starting a chain of murders. Can Erin put her abilities to test and find out who the culprit is? 

16. All Your Twisted Secrets, by Diane Urban

Six students get invited to an ordinary scholarship dinner that turns into a ticking time-bomb when they are locked in a room and forced to choose someone to kill in order to save themselves. As time passes, everyone begins to unravel. What is everyone hiding, and who will the sacrifice be? 

17. Death In The Family, by Tessa Wegert

Detective Shana Merchant is called to a private Island to investigate the disappearance of a man belonging to the Sinclair family. When she reaches the scene, she becomes convinced that one of the Sinclairs has murdered the man in question. Is our detective on the right trail, or is she missing something? 

18.The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin

Sixteen unlikely strangers are called to read W. Westing's will. However, chaos ensues when they realize that the dead man wants to play one last game with them. The question is; will they survive to the end? 

19. Hide, by Kiersten White

Fourteen desperate people are challenged to hide in an abandoned amusement park for a week in order to win a huge amount of money. But when people start going missing, the challenge takes a dark turn. Will the remaining participants be able to survive?

20. Shiver, by Allie Reynolds

When Milia receives an invitation to a cozy ski-resort in the French Alps, she couldn't be more excited about meeting up with old friends. But as soon as she steps off the cable car, she realizes that things are not as they seem. The resort is completely deserted, and a deadly game awaits them at the hotel. Can Milia make it through this game before it gets to her?

Conclusion

This article doesn't mention Agatha Christie novels because she is the literal pioneer of this trope. It felt a bit redundant to put her classics on the list since most mystery readers have already read her novels. However, for those of you who are still looking for recommendations, "And Then There Were None", "Death On The Nile", " Murder On The Orient Express" are some books that feature this tropes.

Happy Reading Folks!