Creating a Good Mystery Doesn't Have to be a ...Mystery
- Richelle Putnam
- Jun 22
- 3 min read
5 Steps to Hook, Twist, and Satisfy Your Reader
Mystery is one of the most enduring and beloved genres in literature. At its heart, it’s a puzzle, and readers love solving puzzles.
From Agatha Christie’s elegant whodunits to gritty noir thrillers and cozy village crimes, mysteries invite readers to untangle clues, examine motives, and search for justice, one clue at a time. They’ve stood the test of time in book sales and TV/film adaptations, with series like Knives Out, Only Murders in the Building, and The Thursday Murder Club proving the genre is more popular than ever.
In the publishing world, mystery/crime fiction is consistently one of the top-selling genres in adult fiction, in traditional and indie markets.
Whether you're writing a short mystery or planning your first novel, here are 5 essential steps to building a compelling mystery that grabs your reader and keeps them guessing.
Step 1: Start with a Compelling Crime
The mystery begins with something gone wrong. Most often, this is a murder, but it could also be a theft, disappearance, or secret exposed.
To make the crime compelling:
Raise personal stakes. A dead stranger is sad; a missing sister is gripping.
Make the crime complex. The first answer should never be the full answer.
Consider timing. Start as close to the moment of discovery as possible.
Example:Instead of opening with the detective’s morning routine, start with a phone call: “There’s blood on the church steps.”
Step 2: Build a Sleuth with Stakes
Your detective, whether amateur or professional, need a reason to solve the mystery.
Ask:
What personal stake does the sleuth have in solving the crime?
What flaw might cloud their judgment?
What unique skill or insight sets them apart?
Example: A librarian investigates a poisoning because her best friend is the prime suspect.
Step 3: Plant Clues and Red Herrings
Good mysteries reward attentive readers. Every major clue should:
Appear on the page (even subtly)
Connect to the resolution
Compete with false leads (red herrings)
Use:
Physical evidence (fingerprints, letters, odd receipts)
Behavioral clues (lies, deflections, odd habits)
Timing gaps or alibis
Tip: If your twist came out of nowhere, it’s not a twist. It’s a cheat.
Step 4: Create Suspects with Secrets
Suspects aren’t just filler. Each one should:
Have a believable motive
Be hiding something (even if it’s unrelated to the crime)
Interact with the sleuth and each other
Tip: The most satisfying mysteries explain why the wrong people looked guilty.
Step 5: Deliver a Satisfying Twist and Resolution
The ending is everything in mystery. Readers want:
A twist they didn’t expect but could have guessed
A resolution that feels earned
Justice or the thought-provoking lack of it
Don’t rush your reveal. Let your sleuth put the pieces together, then deliver the answer with impact.
Bonus Writing Prompts: Spark a New Mystery
The wrong body is in the coffin. Who switched it and why?
A thief returns stolen items...but replaces one with something else.
Every member of the book club had a reason to want the author dead.
Where to Submit Short Mysteries
Here are a few respected publications actively seeking mystery short stories:
– One of the top-paying and most respected markets for crime fiction.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine
– Welcomes a wide range of mystery styles, from hard-boiled to cozy.
– Publishes flash mysteries under 1,000 words with a sharp twist.
– Accepts short fiction, essays, and reviews with a stylish, literary edge.
– Perfect for dark crime and noir short fiction, typically under 700 words.
Before submitting, always read the publication’s guidelines carefully. Consider subscribing or reading a few pieces to get a feel for their voice.
Final Word: Mysteries Are Built, Not Just Written
Mystery writing is about being careful and clever. Crafting clues, creating tension, and guiding readers through shadows and misdirection takes intention. But when done right? There’s nothing like it.
Join the Mississippi Writers Guild!
If you're writing mystery, or thinking about it, you don’t have to go it alone. Join the Mississippi Writers Guild for free access to a supportive community, online and in-person workshops, genre-specific writing groups, and testimonies from working writers who’ve published mysteries of their own.
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