oh no step-detective, i'm stuck!
stuck on an island, snowed in, on a boat, aboard a moving train... this list is crime fiction -mostly murder mysteries- in which the characters are stuck in an isolated location and cut off from the outside.
disclaimer: i haven't read all of these so lmk if a book doesn't fit, and feel free to leave suggestions in the comments!
24






Mysteries and Thrillers
This includes book that have either mystery or thrillers as a primary or secondary genre. If you have recommendations to add please comment and I'll happily add them π
1






If BookTok sneezed, it ended up on this listβ¦
Featuring morally gray men, unreliable narrators, emotional damage, dragons, serial killers, fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, and at least 47 books someone claimed βchanged their life.β Proceed with caution.
0






I'm not trapped here with you...
... You're trapped here with me! The format: A group of people (could be strangers, or long-lost friends) are gathered or trapped in an isolated place together. Maybe it's a remote island. Maybe a cozy cabin during a blizzard. Someone is killed. The killer is obviously among them, but who?! Submissions welcome because this is my favourite mystery sub-genre at the moment, and I can't wait to discover more!
17






Outside freezes, so I want chills in my book
Horrors and thrillers set in winter (21st December to 20th March, but I will count earlier December as winter too to make things easier) or in a really cold place that reminds of wintertime.
The list will contain both more known books that you've probably already been recommended and some that I've seen have had less attention, at least over here. I have not read them all, but I want to complete this list myself too during the next Christmasses.
11






Locked Room Mysteries - A List of Whodunnits
Inspired by Wake Up Dead Man (the newest Knives Out installment), I decided to make a list of Locked Room Mysteries.
Compiled based on personal interests and various blogs.
7






It Has To Be One of Them
Closed circle/room mysteries! Limited number of suspects all with motives to kill!
4






Murder, but make it awkward.
Funny or darkly comic murder books featuring bungled plans, accidental deaths, bizarre families, amateur sleuths, incompetent criminals or people who are just having the worst day imaginable.
1






Scotland books... thistle do nicely!
Books set in/around Scotland. Highlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, outer islands, etc.
0






It's Snowing!
Books featuring snowy weather as the backdrop for stories, mix of genre: thriller, mysteries, historical fiction, etc.
9






Vintage Crime Fiction & Modern Equivalents
For fans of Sherlock Holmes & Agatha Christie. For series, only the first book is included.
0






Audiobooks Narrated by Moira Quirk
Fans of Gideon the Ninth, this is for you π§‘
10






made you look! red herrings
red herring: 1. a dried smoked herring, which is turned red by the smoke. 2. a clue or piece of information that is, or is intended to be, misleading or distracting. these will make you go on a fishing expedition, if you will. this list will feature books highlighting the second definition.
0






Wintery/Holiday Mystery Novels
Mystery novels (and maybe a few thrillers) that have a theme of Christmas or other winter holidays, or an overall wintery theme. Please give suggestions!
4






Take A Chill Thrill
Wintery Weather Thrillers! Suspense for a Snowy Day!
1






Scotland Reads
Books set in Scotland
1






Feminine Rage
Are you a woman who is looking for a book that embodies the feminine rage? One of these books might be for you... <3
0






What Lies in the Dark
Thereβs something unsettling about being cut off and not knowing who to trust. These thrillers lean into that tension, where secrets build, danger lingers, and nothing is quite what it seems.
0






Books to Read by the Fireplace
The following books take place during the winter and would be perfect to read by the fireplace this holiday season!
0






Snow/winter fun! (with teeth)
Books with winter, snowy, or frozen settings. Usually suspenseful, thriller, or horror. The weather or temperature as a secondary character.
6





