The Art of Red Herrings in Cozy Mysteries

This is post 7 of 7 in the series “Cozy Mystery Tropes”

Red herrings are the heart of a good cozy mystery, leading readers down intriguing paths before revealing the truth. These clever misdirections keep the suspense alive, making the journey as enjoyable as the final reveal. But how do you craft red herrings that enhance rather than frustrate your readers? Let’s dive into some key techniques, with examples to bring them to life.

Give Suspects Their Own Secrets

A well-placed red herring isn’t just a random lie or misleading clue—it should deepen the story and character development. Instead of having a suspect simply act suspicious for no reason, give them a secret that has nothing to do with the murder but still makes them look guilty.

Example: In a small-town bookshop murder, the shy accountant seems nervous and avoids questions about his whereabouts. Readers suspect he’s the killer—until it’s revealed he was sneaking around because he’s been secretly learning to ballroom dance, embarrassed that his tough-guy image will be ruined if anyone finds out.

Use Cryptic Behavior & Misdirection

Characters acting oddly can send your sleuth (and readers) in the wrong direction, but the behavior should have a logical explanation once revealed.

Example: A woman is seen digging in her backyard the night before a murder, covered in dirt. Naturally, the sleuth suspects she was burying evidence. In reality, she was hiding an engagement ring after chickening out on proposing to her boyfriend.

Questionable Alibis That Still Make Sense

A suspect’s alibi might not add up at first, but when the truth is revealed, it should make perfect sense.

Example: A bakery owner claims she was home alone when the murder happened, but her oven timer was mysteriously reset after the estimated time of death. The truth? She was trying out a secret gluten-free recipe for her business rival, something she doesn’t want anyone to know about.

Leverage Town Gossip & Misinformation

Cozy mysteries thrive on close-knit communities where rumors can be as misleading as real evidence. A seemingly incriminating detail might be twisted by gossip, adding tension and false leads.

Example: A nosy neighbor claims to have heard the victim arguing with the handyman the night before the murder. Later, it’s discovered she actually overheard the victim rehearsing a monologue for an amateur theater production.

Keep Readers Second-Guessing

The key to a strong red herring is making it convincing but not too obvious. Readers should feel like they’re solving the case alongside the sleuth, piecing together clues, and occasionally falling for the same misdirections.

By layering secrets, suspicious behavior, and community quirks, you can craft a mystery that keeps readers engaged until the final twist.

What’s your favorite red herring moment from a cozy mystery? Share in the comments!

Happy Writing!
K.P.