What Makes an Isolated Closed Circle Mystery Work? | 3 Mystery Reviews

[@kaysbooks7994]

This putting on makeup while talking books is really working for me, loved this

[@Wats06071]

Certainly my favourite trope in murder mysteries. I love mysteries because they are like puzzles, and it can't get more interesting than seemingly impossible murders.

[@Ecosgirl]

Love this trope! I have gotten so many great recommendations from your reviews of mystery books in general and have another one from this video - have added Death in the Family to my TBR.

[@annajo6576]

Hahah we had the same realization at the same time “did I even mention the set up of this one?” I love when you do these reviews! You’re so eloquent and you can really tell how much you love this trope.

[@abbiel7566]

I looooove the GRWM/book chat combo!! So fun ☺️

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

When you showed the cover of then there were none, it brought back the terror I felt as a young adults reading this book. I wouldn't use the word enjoy this book as much as it scared me out of my mind. To me this was more of horror book than a true mystery. Agatha Christie was one of a kind

[@booksvsmovies]

As someone who doesn’t like mysteries I always like hearing you talk about isolated close circle mysteries because you know exactly what you like about the trope. The way you break down your feelings on these book is so engaging and your passion for the genre jumps off the screen.

[@sophiecarbone4977]

Really loved this style of video! Am a big fan of creative multitasking! Hope you do some more!!

[@kaliopireisis3695]

Just started reading They All Fall Down yesterday and am about half way. I was expecting to get a closed circle isolated mystery, not a full on retelling of And Then There Were None, which is why I think it’s throwing me off at the moment. PS. I adore your earrings! And they look so good on you!

[@bookslikewhoa]

Thank you!

[@MsSusyque]

Love love love this particular trope! What are your thoughts on “The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle”. It takes a slightly paranormal turn with this trope. And would you say that “Murder on the Orient Express” follows this trope?

[@bookslikewhoa]

Yep, both of those are in this tropes-- they've been featured in past installments of this review series ;). I think they should be in my isolated closed circle mystery review playlist

[@iansmith4023]

*Because it worked for you and you looked lovely,I shall give myself a make-over while writing the following post* I first read 'And Then There Were None' (under it's awkward original name in the UK - because it was a long time ago) when I was at school. I was feeling unwell,and a school friend of mine lent me his copy of the book;and told me it would take my mind off my discomfort. After school that day,I took it home with me and went to bed early in order to get plenty of rest. I read the book in bed,and kept reading until four in the morning - because I absolutely had to find out who was doing it,and why. I went to school the following morning,still ill - but additionally bleary eyed AND very tired. Told my friend off;but didn't regret anything - it was the best book I'd ever read up until that point;and it still remains comfortably within my Top 5. *Have now finished my make-over...and I look EXACTLY the same as when I started* :(

[@bookslikewhoa]

Haha, I think the transformation is PROFOUND :D ;)

[@kristel7366]

I love this video! I think you've hit on what the ideal feeling that this setup is ideally bringing out from the characters, which is the shared hysteria / fear / delusion, which makes it the punishment instead of just the murder, if that makes sense. The writing isn't the best lmao but as pure id-pleasure the one piece of media that delivered this for me has been I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.

[@bookslikewhoa]

That's a great one! very fun

[@KieranLikesCake]

I did really love the 2nd half of then there were none because people do start to really freak out and become almost animalistic in their need to survive. The thing that kinda hurt that book for me is that the kill order is kinda predictable and in this kinda trope guessing who is the next to die can be almost as fun/shocking as the final reveal of the mastermind.

[@bookslikewhoa]

YES, the horror is watching them devolve into their most primal selves

[@Lorie336]

I have not read these three books, but am adding Agatha and Deathbin the Family to the list. There are books that you have mentioned that might be in this trope: The Guest List by Lucy Foley, not sure if you have mentioned No Exit, The Sun Down Motel, and The Library at Mount Char. Also when you were first describing this trope all I could think about was the movie Clue. Love that movie.

[@lupaecainis]

This is a great video format and excellent analysis. Now I need to watch your Knives Out video since I just watched the movie and the death itself happened in close circle situation. I also admire your ability to do make up (or something with your hands in general) while you speak so eloquently. Believe me, not everyone can't do that. I sure can't.

[@BernasBookishAdventures]

I loved this video! Good points about And There Were None I never thought of before although it is one of my favorite books ever 😊

[@shaelynp7630]

I loved this I've been searching your Goodreads shelves because I'm dying for a new isolated closed circle- this is also my favorite trope and I have an Audible credit burning a hole in my pocket- I've read most of your lists( love Cyril Hare) have had my eye on Death in the Family so I will probably go w that one. On another note I'm super excited for the Eighth Detective due on Aug 4th!

[@cherylstevens9665]

I just discovered your channel. You give an interesting, intelligent review. Also fascinated by watching you do your make-up.

[@bookslikewhoa]

Welcome aboard!

[@zoezheng1908]

How interesting there is no specific phrase for that type of mystery, so people just invented different kinds of names in different language. In Asia, it was called "mansion in snow storm”, since it is such a classical setting, people trapped in big house, no way to get out, and murder ensues. Some of my favorite in that category were written in Japanese. It's a pity they sometimes has no English translation. There is a very interesting one with English edition though, called The Decagon House Murders. I would recommend!

[@Wats06071]

Thanks for recommendation.

[@billyjustus8639]

Christie's "And Then There Were None" is an all time fave novel, easily in the top three faves. I found "A Death in the Family" to be wanting for something, and I think you hit on it in your review. The family just doesn't seem worried, which is odd. I keep wanting to read "They All Fall Down" (I really like the cover) and then I hear you talk about it and I'm like, Nope. /sigh

[@bookslikewhoa]

Yeah, it didn't work that well for me, sadly... but maybe if you weren't expecting a faithful retelling/a true whodunnit?

[@lucillerenard9019]

I've got to say, there were some points where I was thinking "how is this eyeshadow look ever going to work, its all over the place and a hot mess," but then it looked as good as usual so apparently I need to trust more in the process 😅

[@LisbethJimenez]

I love your GRWM so that is awesome. Anywho, totally unrelated to the video I lucked out and was approved for an arch of Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse and I immediately thought of you, please tell you have a copy.

[@bookslikewhoa]

I do! Hoping to get to it soon :)

[@apocalypsereading7117]

i always wonder about the lottery at Athens and the 14 youths that had to go to Crete to enter the labyrinth - I love imagining them talking on the boat, and of course in the dark maze. it's kind of trope-adjacent, but i love stories where strangers from all walks of life are thrown into a strange/dangerous situation and have to work together to get out of it. i guess it's superficially like this trope in that there's a bunch of people stuck on an island or something, but the key difference is that there's no mastermind and we know the threat from the start, so the intrigue is all about the relationships and trying to escape. i guess basically this trope but without the mystery. =P

[@nacho_queen]

Have you read A House of Ghosts by WC Ryan? It’s a closed circle on an island with a raging storm making getting back to shore impossible (my fave)! Has a bit of a supernatural element, and a bit of espionage as it’s set during WWII.

[@bookslikewhoa]

No, but it's on my TBR! :)

[@EclecticKatiReads]

I've read two isolated island mysteries this year. 'This Side of Murder' by Anna Lee Huber which is also in the historical lady detective sub-genre. And 'A House of Ghosts' by W.C. Ryan which has the good old "Are there ghosts?" situation going on. These might work for you? There was also 'The Guest List' by Lucy Foley, but that's a thriller and I didn't like it. I think it's one of those, that really works for some people and not at all for others. I actually really like it if the murdering starts later in the book. It just builds so much tension because you know someone's going to die... but who? Plus I like learning things about the characters in that situation. That said, dead bodies at the start also work for me!

[@bookslikewhoa]

Thanks for the recommendations!!

[@locutusdborg126]

Hello again. Carry on.

[@OverstuffedShelf]

Now I’m wondering how you would feel/felt about The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Have you read it?

[@bookslikewhoa]

Yes, I've read all the Poirots. It's very good, though not a personal fav

[@Wats06071]

My first and everlasting Love lol. I read it in my early teens, and it was my first ever detective mystery. More than 3 decades later, and hundreds of of mystery books, it is still my favourite. And Then There Were None & Death on The Nile complete the medal podium.

[@OverstuffedShelf]

@@Wats06071 Interesting! I finished it and felt.... A bit cheated. No spoilers no spoilers but what Mara was saying about POV felt very applicable to Roger Ackroyd

[@joycejarrard6958]

Could someone tell me what she means by OG? I Googled it, but I still couldn't find it. I enjoyed "And Then There Were None." I'll have to pick up "Death on the Nile" sometime. This was interesting hearing what you look for in these books.

[@juligreen6048]

OG is original

[@noelquentin57]

Original Gangster - now just means original, respected because of experience and status

[@SaraMGreads]

I just read And Then There Were None for the Reading Rush. I just love that book so much! I vlogged about it if you want to check it out. 100% a 5 star read. I really enjoy your videos. You know your stuff!! I just read lol.

[@bookslikewhoa]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it-- it's such a good one!

[@yumimeuthia6988]

Have you read In the Dark by Loreth Anne White? It's kind of an isolated circle mystery with a dual timeline. I like it, and I want to know your opinion on it.

[@bookslikewhoa]

I have a copy but haven't gotten to it yet! Looking forward to it

[@emilygaynier]

I read One Way by S.J. Morden which is a sci-fi And Then There Were None retelling and we only had one POV. I agree that it makes the mystery flat and unsatisfying. I was ready to have a crazy twist ending to make up for the overall boring story, but it never happened.

[@bookslikewhoa]

Ah, shoot, I hadn't heard of that one but sounds like it's not worth my time :/

[@emilygaynier]

@@bookslikewhoa Yeah, I don't recommend it

[@liannadunten7326]

Happy belated birthday! It is slowly dawning on me that almost all the KZbinrs I watch share my astrological sign (Cancer).

[@bookslikewhoa]

Cancers unite!

[@JashanaC]

🔍

[@Tarasreadingnook]

❤

[@locutusdborg126]

Nice use of ur-text. Very academic.

[@cathyl3526]

I love when you include makeup. BookTube + BeautyTube is my love language. BookyTube? BootyTube? No, not that.

[@bookslikewhoa]

LOL

[@linamoktafi8733]

During this entire video I can't stop thinking about how beautiful you are OMG