Loved Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery? 6 locked-room mysteries to enjoy next

by

Now that ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ is available on Netflix, we’ve put together a list of classic locked-room mystery novels.

Viewers might recognize some of the book titles, as a specific reading list is central to the detective Benoit Blanc’s investigation in the film.

1. The Hollow Man by John Dickson Carr

John Dickson Carr’s 1935 novel was a major inspiration for Wake Up Dead Man. It’s famous for its clever locked-room mystery – a visitor commits a murder and then vanishes without a trace – and for a unique moment where the detective, Dr. Gideon Fell, directly addresses the reader to discuss the common tricks authors use to solve these seemingly impossible crimes.

Can I watch it?

This story hasn’t been widely adapted like the others; it’s mostly been done as radio plays. It’s possible that the unique way the mystery is solved makes it too difficult to successfully recreate in other formats.

2. The Adventure of the Speckled Band by Arthur Conan Doyle

In this chilling 1892 story, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate a strange case: a young woman dies in her locked room shortly after hearing a peculiar whistle. When her sister hears the same sound, she fears she’s next. But what connection do a house full of animals, a broken bell cord, and a dish of milk have to these potential murders?

Can I watch it?

As a longtime Sherlock Holmes fan, I recently revisited “The Speckled Band” episode from the Jeremy Brett series – and it still holds up! Brett is Holmes, and this adaptation of the classic story is a must-see. You can find it streaming right now on ITVX, so there’s no excuse to miss it.

3. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie, known as the Queen of Crime, wasn’t typically drawn to traditional locked-room mysteries like those written by Dickson Carr. However, this well-known 1926 novel offers her unique spin on the concept, featuring a wealthy man who seemingly dies instantly after being left alone in his study.

Want to watch an adaptation of this story? The ITV version with David Suchet as Poirot is good, but it leaves out something important from the original book. If you’re looking for a particularly well-done locked-room mystery with Poirot, check out Hercule Poirot’s Christmas from 1994. Both episodes are part of the Agatha Christie’s Poirot series and can be found on ITVX.

4 Have His Carcase by Dorothy L Sayers

Dorothy L. Sayers’ 1932 mystery features her popular detectives, Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane. The story begins when Vane discovers a dead body during a hike. Though the man is found on a beach with no footprints and still warm to the touch—suggesting suicide—it quickly becomes clear that something isn’t right.

Can I watch it?

As a huge mystery fan, I was thrilled to discover the 1980s TV version of this story is up on YouTube! It’s a three-part adaptation with Harriet Walter and Edward Petherbridge – a classic pairing. And if you prefer radio, the 1981 version with Ian Carmichael and Maria Aitken just came back on BBC Radio 4 and is available on BBC Sounds. It’s a great time to be a fan!

Want to see this content?

This content is blocked because of a security measure from Google reCAPTCHA. To see it, please sign out of your Contentpass account.

5. The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe’s story, published in 1841, is often considered the first modern detective story. It’s one of the earliest examples of a locked-room mystery, centering around the puzzling murders of a mother and daughter in a room sealed from the inside. The only evidence discovered at the scene includes a bloody razor, some grey hairs, and two bags of gold coins.

Can I watch it?

The story has been adapted for the screen several times. You can find a 1971 version directed by Gordon Hessler on Amazon Prime Video, though it does deviate from the original. A 1932 adaptation featuring Bela Lugosi is also available to rent there. More recently, a very different take on the story appeared in the third episode of Netflix’s The Fall of the House of Usher.

6. The Mystery of the Yellow Room by Gaston Leroux

The classic locked-room mystery originated with French author Gaston Leroux in his 1908 novel, which first appeared as a serial in 1907. Leroux cleverly includes detailed diagrams and floor plans, challenging readers to deduce how a criminal vanished from a completely sealed yellow room – and then managed to repeat the impossible feat not once, but twice.

Can I watch it?

Although the story has been adapted for different formats several times – in 1913, 1919, 1930, 1947, 1949, 1965, and 2003 – finding a copy can be difficult. Luckily, you can listen to a BBC radio adaptation for free on the Internet Archive. It also served as the basis for a 2014 episode of the TV show Jonathan Creek, titled “The Letters of Septimus Noone,” which is available on iPlayer.

  • Read our guide to the best Christmas TV for 2025

Authors

Huw FullertonCommissioning Editor

Huw Fullerton works as a Commissioning Editor at TopMob magazine, where he focuses on content related to entertainment, comedy, and specialized dramatic productions.

  • Visit us on Twitter

Read More

2025-12-12 11:40