Top Five Authors of Impossible Crime and Locked-Room Mystery Fiction

The world of impossible crime and locked-room mystery fiction is filled with puzzles that defy conventional logic and challenge even the most astute readers. These stories usually involve a seemingly perfect crime, committed in an environment that appears to offer no possible means of entry or escape. Here are the top five authors who have mastered this subgenre, each bringing their unique flair and ingenuity to the world of mystery fiction.

1. John Dickson Carr

John Dickson Carr is widely regarded as the master of the locked-room mystery. His intricate plots and ingenious solutions have earned him a prominent place in the annals of crime fiction. Carr’s most famous creation, Dr Gideon Fell, features in many of his best works, such as The Hollow Man (also known as The Three Coffins). This novel is often celebrated for its “locked-room lecture” in which Dr Fell explains the various ways such mysteries can be constructed, even as he unravels a seemingly impossible crime. Carr’s ability to craft an eerie atmosphere and a bewildering puzzle remains unparalleled.

2. Agatha Christie

Known as the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie is renowned for her contributions to the mystery genre, including several locked-room mysteries. Her novel And Then There Were None is a masterpiece of suspense and ingenious plotting, where ten strangers are invited to an isolated island and murdered one by one in seemingly impossible circumstances. Christie’s brilliance lies in her ability to mislead readers with red herrings and unexpected twists, ensuring her stories remain captivating and unpredictable.

3. Ellery Queen

Ellery Queen, a pseudonym used by cousins Frederic Dannay and Manfred Bennington Lee, is synonymous with clever, fair-play mysteries. The character of Ellery Queen, both author and protagonist, is a brilliant amateur detective who solves complex puzzles with logical precision. The Chinese Orange Mystery is one of their most famous locked-room novels, featuring a bizarre crime scene where everything in the room is reversed. The meticulous plotting and intellectual challenge presented by the Queens have cemented their legacy in the genre.

4. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Best known for creating the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created intricate, seemingly impossible crimes that Holmes solved with keen observation and deductive reasoning. Stories like ‘The Adventure of the Speckled Band’ and ‘The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot’ showcase his talent for crafting baffling mysteries within locked rooms or under inexplicable circumstances. Doyle’s influence on the detective genre is profound, blending suspense, logical problem-solving, and vivid storytelling.

5. Edgar Allan Poe

While Edgar Allan Poe is often credited with creating the detective story, he also made significant contributions to the impossible crime genre. His short story ‘The Murders in the Rue Morgue’ is considered one of the earliest examples of a locked-room mystery. The story introduces C. Auguste Dupin, a detective who solves a brutal double murder in a locked room with no apparent means of entry or escape. Poe's atmospheric storytelling and pioneering use of deductive reasoning laid the groundwork for many future mystery writers.

The impossible crime and locked-room mystery genre continues to captivate readers with its blend of intellectual challenge and suspense. The works of these five authors remain timeless, inviting readers to unlock the secrets of the seemingly impossible and experience the thrill of the ultimate puzzle.

Serling Lake’s ‘Impossible Crime Classics’ collection of fiction from the early 20th century launches in June 2024.