Readers have loved mystery novels for centuries, but what exactly makes for a compulsively readable mystery? What is it that makes someone want to finish “just one more chapter,” no matter what time it is? There are many aspects of a mystery that draw readers in, but a well-planned, slow-roll reveal of clues and evidence will keep readers guessing until the very end.
Whether you’re writing a kid’s graphic novel about an animal detective or a dark academia tale of murder at an elite boarding school, one of most difficult (yet important) processes is the act of coming up with all of your clues, and making sure the evidence is plausible and leads to a satisfying resolution.
Important Tip: Make sure your book cover matches the feel of your book and the message you want to convey to potential buyers when they see it online or on the shelf. Check out the top book covers in your chosen subgenre of mystery and make sure your book will stand out in a sea of similar covers!
The Role of Clues in Driving the Plot
Clues are the foundation of any compelling mystery. They guide both the detective and the reader through the maze of the narrative and contribute to building suspense throughout. Clues can lead to an “Aha!” moment…or to a dead-end street, and that’s part of the fun for the reader. Without these clues, people would quickly lose interest.
Every clue you plant in your novel adds a layer of complexity to your tale, whether it’s a hidden note, an overlooked fingerprint, or a misplaced phone message. If readers can put themselves into the shoes of the investigator (whether professional or amateur) and follow the clues, the challenge and draw of solving the mystery is something they just can’t pass up.
Types of Evidence That Keep Readers Guessing
Evidence in mystery novels can take many forms, each designed to keep readers on their toes. Evidence can be physical (fingerprints, weapons, DNA), providing tangible links to a crime, or it can be circumstantial (suspicious behavior, threatening emails, or conflicting witness statements), and each type only adds another layer of intrigue to the story. By weaving these different forms of evidence into the narrative, authors create a 
complex puzzle that challenges readers to piece together the truth.
Important Tip: If you choose to use evidence as clues in your mystery, be sure to get the science details right. If you guess about the science related to your evidence, you’ll definitely lose readers.
Crafting Red Herrings to Mislead
What exactly is a red herring? A staple in mystery novels, red herrings are designed to divert attention and mislead readers. The term actually originated as a reference to the process of dragging a smoked herring across a trail to cover up a scent and throw off tracking dogs.
These false clues create doubt and confusion, making the final resolution of the mystery even more satisfying. Effective red herrings are subtle and believable, and they’re smoothly integrated into the plot so that they’re not easily dismissed by the reader.
Authors use red herrings to heighten the suspense and keep readers from predicting the outcome too early. By leading them down false paths, the story maintains its grip, ensuring that every twist and turn is unexpected and thrilling.
The Detective's Toolkit: Essential Skills and Gadgets
Ever since the publication of The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe, often considered the first modern detective story and the origin of the modern mystery genre, a detective has always needed basically the same skill set: keen observation, logical reasoning, and a fundamental understanding of human nature. Detectives must also possess the ability to think outside the box, piecing together seemingly unrelated clues to form a full picture of the crime.
However, with the passage of time, today’s detectives have a completely different set of gadgets and tools available to them than did Poe’s detective did back in 1841. Modern detective stories often feature advanced gadgets such as forensic kits, surveillance equipment, and digital analysis tools. These add a layer of realism and sophistication to the investigation, showcasing the detective's resourcefulness and expertise.
Bringing It All Together: Solving the Mystery
This is where the detective's skills shine, as they connect the dots and reveal the truth. The solution to your mystery should be both surprising and satisfying, tying up all loose ends while also providing a logical conclusion to the story.
The process of solving the mystery is a delicate balance of revelation and suspense. Readers should feel a sense of accomplishment as the pieces fall into place, appreciating the intricate web the author has woven. This final act solidifies the story's impact, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
8 Resources for Mystery Writers 
Below, you'll find a number of online resources, both fun and functional, that you may want to use as you craft your own mystery:
The Writer’s Detective: The Writer's Detective Bureau is a podcast and a YouTube channel hosted by veteran Police Detective Adam Richardson. He answers questions about criminal investigation and police work posed by crime-fiction authors and screenwriters writing crime-related stories.
Mystery Writers Forum: a community of mystery writers, learning their craft, and sharing their lives, research problems, and celebrating their wins.
From Gumshoes to Gats: A Dictionary of Hard-Boiled Slang: For the hard-boiled noir author—a list of common-use slang from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s that's no longer part of popular vocabulary.
A Cheat Sheet for Writing Body Language: Translate emotions and thoughts into written body language.
Want to Poison a Character? Get the Lowdown on Which Poisons Do What: Want to poison one of your characters? Find out what to use and how it works.
FBI Handbook of Forensic Sciences: Updated in 2019, this guide details the FBI's procedures for forensic investigation and includes information about subjects such as securing a crime scene, following a chain of custody, and reconstructing the scene of the crime.
National Institute of Justice's Death Investigation: A Guide for the Scene Investigator: A PDF guide to criminal investigations for the medicolegal death investigator (MDI), who is responsible for investigating deaths that fall under the jurisdiction of the medical examiner or coroner—this includes deaths from homicides, suicides, drug overdoses, and unintentional injuries.
The Library of Congress Archives: For those interested in writing historical fiction, the Library of Congress features a collection of over 15 million pages from newspapers from 1789 to 1963 online. This will help you reference information from the time period in which your book is set, or perhaps reading about a crime from the papers will inspire a new book for you.
