There is one murder mystery subgenre that I will never tire of, and that’s the closed-circle mystery. If I could wave a magic wand, every single mystery novel would be set on a remote island, an isolated mountain top, or feature a group of people cut off from the world by a bizarre weather event.
Some might say this trope has been done to death (pun intended), but I’d argue that’s exactly what makes it so satisfying to read. The best closed-circle mysteries build upon that familiar foundation and then layer in fresh twists and turns.
In this post I want to share a few the best closed-circle mysteries I’ve read in recent years, because you can only read And Then There Were None for the first time once and I’ve been chasing that same thrill again ever since.
What is a “Closed-Circle” Mystery?
Before we dive into my list of the best closed-circle mystery books, let’s clarify what I mean by that and clear up some confusion:
A “closed-circle” mystery is one where the pool of suspects is extremely limited and clearly defined. There are many ways authors can do this, but the classic example (made famous by Agatha Christie’s novel “And There There Were None”) would be of a murder set on a remote island that is totally cut off from the world by a severe weather event. Therefore the murder could only have been committed by one of the people on the island.
This is different than a “locked-room” mystery, which is a specific type of puzzle where-in the murder is committed in some sort of impossible way. A “closed-circle” mystery can have a “locked-room” murder but not every “locked-room” mystery is a set within a “closed-circle”.
For example, a dead body found inside a locked room that no one could have gotten in or out of without being seen is a “locked-room” mystery. A murder committed on a tiny remote island with only 5 people on it is a “closed-circle” mystery.
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The Best Modern Closed-Circle Mystery Books
Many modern authors have tried their hand at recreating the magic of Agatha Christie’s closed-circle mystery plot (some more successfully than others). These are just a few of my favorite modern additions to the subgenre!
Note: If you have not yet read Agatha Christie’s master work “And Then There Were None” and would like to, I’d highly recommend doing so before digging into this list as some of the books below will spoil the plot of her original book for you.
The Dark – Emma Haughton
When a doctor takes a last-minute posting at an Antarctic research station, she arrives just as the sun disappears and the station is cut off from the rest of the world for the next six months. Isolation sets in quickly, then someone dies, and the only suspects are the tiny crew trapped in an endless night.
This book is hands down one of my favorite modern takes on the closed-circle genre. If you are a fan of modern authors like Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley, I think you will love this one too. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Guest List – Lucy Foley
A lavish wedding on a remote Irish island quickly descends into a deadly game of secrets and lies when the lights go out during the ceremony and suddenly somebody is dead. With a storm cutting off all escape from the island, every guest becomes a suspect in this modern closed-circle mystery.
Told from five different character’s perspectives (with each person clearly hiding something), I really enjoyed the layer of complexity that element added to the genre. This one is a bit of a slow burn but kept me hooked till the end. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Daisy Darker – Alice Feeney
On a tidal island estate, the wealthy and troubled Darker family gathers for a birthday party, but when the tide comes in, no one can leave. As a storm rages outside, old resentments and secrets come bubbling to the surface, and the family members start turning up dead one by one.
“Daisy Darker” is one of the most unique retellings of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None” on this list, with a few clever twists that will keep you guessing right up until the big reveal. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Hunting Party – Lucy Foley
A group of old university friends gathers at a remote Scottish estate to ring in the new year, only for one of them to end up dead before midnight. Cut off by snow and secrets, they’re forced to confront buried grudges and hidden lies.
Like Foley’s other book The Guest List, this book also features an engaging character driven story told from multiple points of view, just with a lot more snow and less ocean this time. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Stranded – Sarah Goodwin
Eight strangers sign up for a reality TV experiment on a remote Arctic island, but when the crew vanishes without explanation, they’re trapped in a frozen wasteland with no help coming. As paranoia sets in, strange accidents and hidden motives suggest this isn’t just about survival; someone in the group might be responsible.
I’ll be the first to admit that this book pushes the boundaries of the “closed-circle” mystery genre, reading more like a survival thriller than a true mystery novel. However, the isolated location and growing suspicion amongst the characters makes it feel right at home on this list. If you’re a fan of survival reality shows, you need to read this one ASAP. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
You Are Fatally Invited – Ande Pliego
Renowned anonymous author J. R. Alastor invites six thriller writers to his private island retreat promising a week of fun, games, and genre-inspired challenges. But when one of the guests is found murdered and a storm cuts off all escape, the retreat turns deadly. Except it’s not the person Mila, the retreat organizer, planned to kill off, and Mila didn’t do the killing. Now she must unmask a killer whose upset her carefully laid plans and knows every trick in the book.
If you are in for a close-circle mystery that isn’t afraid to poke fun at itself and the genre, this may be the book for you! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
One by One – Ruth Ware
A group of coworkers gather at a remote mountain chalet for a team-building retreat when a fierce snowstorm traps them inside. As the storm cuts off all escape, people start dying one after another, turning the cozy getaway into a deadly game of suspicion.
I’ll be honest, this is not my favorite Ruth Ware novel (that honor goes to The Turn Of The Key). However, this book is a great example of a solid modern closed-circle mystery written by one of the best modern mystery novelists. I loved the isolated chalet setting! ⭐⭐⭐
Shiver – Allie Reynolds
A group of former snowboarding rivals gather at a remote ski resort for a reunion when a snowstorm traps them on the mountain. As the storm rages outside, old wounds and hidden resentments start to bubble to the surface, then the rivals start turning up dead. One. By. One.
This debut novel by Allie Reynolds really surprised me in the best of ways. I loved the isolated ski resort setting and alternating now and then timeline! ⭐⭐⭐
Whisper Island – Carissa Ann Lynch
Four college friends arrive at a remote island cabin hoping for a relaxing getaway, only to find two other guests already there. When a storm cuts off all contact and one of the group goes missing, the peaceful retreat turns deadly. Trapped together with no way off, suspicion rises as long-buried secrets begin to unravel.
This book was entertaining, easy to read, and I enjoyed that each of the chapters was written from a different characters point of view. ⭐⭐⭐
Never Coming Home – Kate Williams
Ten teen influencers are invited to a luxurious private island for what promises to be the ultimate exclusive getaway. But when they start disappearing one by one, it’s clear someone is hunting them; and the killer is closer than any of them realize. Cut off from the outside world, survival means uncovering the truth before there’s no one left to tell the story.
This book definitely leans much more YA than some of the other titles on this list. However, I really enjoyed how the author used social media to update Christie’s classic tale for a new generation of readers. ⭐⭐⭐
In The Dark – Loreth Anne White
Eight guests arrive at a remote lodge in the Canadian wilderness for what they think is an exclusive getaway. But the luxurious retreat quickly turns into a nightmare when they realize they’ve been lured there under false pretenses; and someone wants them dead. Cut off from the outside world, with the body count rising, the group must uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.
A modern retelling of Christie’s “And Then There Were None” complete with rhyming clues, I enjoyed how this story was told as a dual timeline, following along in the past (when the guests arrive from their perspective) and the future (when search and rescue arrives from the investigators perspective). ⭐⭐⭐
This Is Not A Games – Kelly Mullen
When a roaring ’20s-themed charity auction turns deadly, a snowstorm traps a motley group in a glamorous Mackinac Island mansion. Widow Mimi and her estranged granddaughter Addie must team up (armed with crosswords, martinis, and game-designer logic) to solve the murders before the killer strikes again.
More of a fun, quirky, cozy mystery than suspense thriller, this book comes complete with a moat-surrounded mansion, secret passageways, and a whole host of eccentric characters. I really loved the interplay between the grandmother & granddaughter sleuthing duo! ⭐⭐⭐
She Left – Stacie Grey
Ten people with ties to the infamous “Memorial Day Massacre” are invited by a journalist to a remote cliffside house on the anniversary of the killings. Years earlier, Amy Therese Brewer had stormed out of the party moments before five teens were murdered. Now, as a storm traps the group, guests begin dying one by one. Therese realizes someone in the house knows more about that night than they’ve ever admitted; and they’ll do anything to keep the truth hidden.
Part closed-circle mystery and part final girl thriller, I enjoyed the set-up for this book, stating the reason for gathering all the guests right from the start. ⭐⭐⭐
Dead Of Winter – Darcy Coates
Christa and a group of travelers are stranded in the Rockies when a snowstorm forces their tour bus off the road. Seeking shelter in an abandoned cabin, they soon realize the storm isn’t the only danger; someone in their group is picking them off one by one. With the roads blocked, supplies dwindling, and trust evaporating, Christa must survive both the elements and a killer who could strike at any moment.
Part closed-circle mystery, part horror novel, this book is by far the most intense title on this list with each death seemingly more grisly than the last. However it was the character studies in this book that I really enjoyed! ⭐⭐⭐
An Unwanted Guest – Shari Lapena
A remote inn in the Catskills becomes the setting for a chilling weekend when a snowstorm traps the guests inside. At first, the group tries to make the best of it; until one of them turns up dead. With no way to leave and no one they can trust, the remaining guests must figure out who among them is a killer before the body count rises.
While this one doesn’t have some of the clever plotting, clue dropping and character studies featured in Christie’s masterpiece. It was a quick easy read with a great setting and a fun twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. ⭐⭐
My Star Rating System
⭐ – Did not like, would not recommend
⭐⭐ – An ok read, would not be a go-to recommendation for me
⭐⭐⭐ – A solid fun read, my recommendation would depend on your interests
⭐⭐⭐⭐ – A great read, would quickly recommend to anyone
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – An emotional experience, must read book
Do you have a favorite modern closed-circle mystery that I didn’t mention in this post? Let me know in the comments below so I can add it to my TBR pile!
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