I love solving puzzles, deciphering codes and getting challenged to the max. That’s why murder mysteries, in all its forms, are now my favorite hobby. There are many times where the writer of a show or book completely catches me off guard with their clever twists and turns. Sometimes it’s something super simple that I completely overlooked, or it might be something so strange and obscure that I wouldn’t have ever guessed it. I love these moments. I love trying to outsmart the writer, and equally being outsmarted myself. It’s a big part of murder mysteries. And no, I don’t want to actually be a detective and have to see decomposing bodies, or be shot at by a fleeing suspect. I love the challenge of solving stuff in the comfort of my favorite chair, with my feet up, and a hot coffee in my hand.

If you’re reading this, I have a feeling that you enjoy the odd mystery novel, movie or perhaps a true-crime series on Youtube. There’s something about trying to solve a mystery that is just super enticing. There are also tons of shows where you don’t have to find the killer, but they’re still gripping dramas that have you at the edge of your seat. You might know who the killer is from the narrator at the start of a Youtube show, but there’s still a layer of mystery that’s unknown.

Who are the victims, why were they chosen, what was the motive, did anyone escape, how was the killer captured…

It’s those mysteries that keep you watching episode after episode. And if you’re like me, then it’s usually at the expense of a good night’s rest.

I pretty much consume only mystery shows, books and podcasts at this point. Not only that, but I write articles about it (like this one), create my own murder mystery cases, and make videos about my favorite shows. While my friends would have dreams of becoming a detective, a lawyer, a teacher, or some other fascinating career choices – I would find myself only wanting to sit indoors and read my favorite mystery novels 100% of the time. While this isn’t possible until I hopefully retire someday, it’s one of the few passions I have.

What Makes Murder Mysteries So Great?

1. The first thing that comes to mind is, of course, the story. Murder mysteries MUST have an addictive story that has me obsessed from the very beginning. I want a wild variety of characters, some with motives for murder and others that seem unhinged. I want secondary crimes, affairs, thefts and some twists and turns thrown in. But most of all, I want red herrings. I want to be completely surprised when I find out that the route I was following was not the right one because I overlooked some clues. That’s what makes a mystery “mysterious”.

2. As I’ve mentioned before, I love puzzles. I want notes with hidden meaning, secret codes carved into furniture as the victim lies dying, and evidence that leaves me scratching my head. I want to be confused for a fairly long time before an eventual eureka moment when I finally put the pieces together. I want the satisfaction of figuring out as much as possible before the final reveal, and feeling like Sherlock Holmes.

3. Lastly, I want justice and a resolution. I avoid shows with unsolved mysteries or with missing people. I hate not knowing what happened to them and that the suspects could very well still be roaming around. I want to know that the killers are locked away permanently. This is true even with fictional murder mysteries. I want a strong resolution and good outcome. I want the hero to succeed every single time.

My Final Thoughts

I think the biggest part of enjoying mysteries is the escapism of it all. While I love the comfort of my little apartment – my imagination doesn’t want to live here permanently. It could be solving a mystery in ancient Egypt or on a space station. It could be finding a killer 100 years in the future or the past. I get to send it out on these thrilling expeditions every day, while I sip my hot coffee and relax in my favorite chair.

And yet, even though I’m not there, I still feel involved in every case. I care about the characters in these stories and I hope for their safety. I study clues throughout the show/book and try to help the hero find the killer. I egg detectives on when they’re looking at the right evidence and shout at my screen when they lock up the wrong suspect. It’s a truly amazing source of entertainment that’s both macabre and hopeful.

I love murder mysteries. If you’re like me, then I hope you’ll follow me on this journey as I explore the best murder mystery movies, shows, books, and every other type of content that’s made in my favorite genre.