Last updated: February 2026
Murder Mystery Red herrings Plot Ideas (10 Story Starters)
Use these ideas to build a tight outline fast, then draft Chapter 1 and test reader response.
10 Red herrings plot ideas
- 1. A murder mystery setup built around 'Red herrings': the story opens with 'murder mystery', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 2. A murder mystery setup built around 'Red herrings': the story opens with 'whodunit', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 3. A murder mystery setup built around 'Red herrings': the story opens with 'murder mystery books', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 4. A murder mystery setup built around 'Red herrings': the story opens with 'murder mystery series', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 5. A murder mystery setup built around 'Red herrings': the story opens with 'murder mystery', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 6. A murder mystery setup built around 'Red herrings': the story opens with 'whodunit', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 7. A murder mystery setup built around 'Red herrings': the story opens with 'murder mystery books', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 8. A murder mystery setup built around 'Red herrings': the story opens with 'murder mystery series', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 9. A murder mystery setup built around 'Red herrings': the story opens with 'murder mystery', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
- 10. A murder mystery setup built around 'Red herrings': the story opens with 'whodunit', but the protagonist’s goal immediately conflicts with the trope’s expectation. End Act 1 with a forced decision.
Fast workflow
- Pick 1 idea and write a 5-beat outline.
- Draft Chapter 1, then run a quick continuity pass.
- If the opening works, expand to a full book; if not, iterate.