POV: You turn the corner around an uncharted aisle in the library. Breaking through cobwebs, you stray further from the sparse lighting as you pass by aged tomes. The aisle ends in shadows–or does it? You stop just short of the threshold between book and mystery and reach for the fraying title dangling on the edge of the shelf. You flip through its cryptic pages, and a chill runs down your spine. Is this the clue you’ve been looking for? Will it help you out of this Occult Mystery?
What is Occult Mystery?
Occult mysteries occupy a deliciously dark niche within speculative fiction circles. This subgenre combines elements of mysticism, esoteric knowledge, and hidden forces within classic mystery frameworks. Imagine a detective searching for clues, only to discover the case involves cursed objects, secret societies, and magic older than time itself. These stories balance intrigue and the unknown, often leaving readers questioning what’s real and what lies hidden beneath the surface of the mundane world.
Common Tropes in Occult Mystery
Occult mystery tropes are like secret ingredients in a witch’s brew—each one is familiar, yet when combined, they create something uniquely eerie. What unites them is how real-world logic and the unknown are intertwined, making you second-guess every shadowy corner. Here are three tropes that often enchant (or curse) these tales:
- Ancient Texts: No occult mystery is complete without a dusty, cryptic tome filled with forbidden knowledge. In The Historian by Elizabeth Costova an ancient text that is addressed to “My dear and unfortunate successor,” which begins the unnamed protagonist’s story. Whether it’s an old grimoire or a collection of arcane rituals, these books hold secrets that mortals were never meant to uncover. They often act as a catalyst for the protagonist, leading them down a dark and dangerous path where the very act of reading comes with peril.
- Secret Societies: The Illuminati, the Freemasons, the Order of the Golden Dawn—secret societies are the lifeblood of occult mysteries. Their hidden agendas, mysterious rites, and covert power grabs create layers of conspiracy and tension. These groups often serve as the puppet masters behind the scenes, pulling strings that characters (and readers) only discover bit by bit. Secret societies plague the characters in Foucault’s Pendulum by Umberto Eco, rapidly throwing them into mystery and excitement.
- The Cursed Object: Whether it’s an ancient amulet, a mirror that reflects your darkest fears, or a seemingly harmless trinket imbued with dark magic, cursed objects are a classic trope in occult mysteries. These objects might even be the catalyst for the novel’s characters like in Aratat. Cursed objects bring misfortune, haunt dreams, and drive people to madness, acting as the perfect metaphor for the consequences of dabbling in forbidden knowledge.
Why I Like Occult Mystery
I’m going to admit right now that Jessi (our lovely Editor-in-Chief) handpicked this subgenre for me because of my interest in all things spooky–especially because of my work in progress. As a writer and reader, there’s something incredibly satisfying about the slow burn of an occult mystery. I love the way these stories balance the supernatural with intellectual discovery. The protagonist often begins with skepticism, slowly unraveling layers of truth until they’re forced to confront the impossible. It’s the dance between logic and magic that fascinates me. Plus, who doesn’t love a little spine-tingling terror with their puzzle-solving?
Why YOU Should Explore Occult Mystery
If you’re a writer looking for a genre that offers endless room for creativity and tension, occult mysteries are for you. Here are three key elements you can incorporate into your own writing:
- Unreliable Narrators – The nature of occult mysteries makes characters question their sanity or reality. Use this device to heighten tension. Is there only one? Many? Are they experiencing something truly supernatural, or are they simply losing their grip? The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton does a great job at making you second guess yourself. Let your readers wonder right alongside your characters.
- Slow Revelation – Don’t reveal everything all at once. Build tension by slowly peeling back layers of truth, letting your readers (and characters) piece together the puzzle bit by bit. It’s the unknown that makes these stories so compelling.
- Moral Dilemmas – When dealing with ancient magic or hidden knowledge, there’s always a cost. The best occult mysteries force characters to make difficult choices. Do they pursue power, even if it comes at a great personal cost? Or do they turn away, knowing they may never be the same?
Whether you’re summoning spirits, unearthing long-lost secrets, or tracking down an ancient cult, the occult mystery genre offers a tantalizing playground where magic, mystery, and danger collide. Happy conjuring!
Occult Mystery Novels We Love
Imagine this: I had just come back from five years of living in the countryside of Japan where there were next to no English language books for me to enjoy (instead I suffered through trying to read Harry Potter in Japanese—it was not a good time). I’m at my local library and I randomly pull a book with a neat-looking spine from the shelf and say, sure. Let’s go with this one. Why not? The book I pulled, The Pandora Room by Christopher Golden, was the best reintroduction to literature I could have asked for. It’s the second in the Ben Walker series (the first is the aforementioned Ararat). This book follows Ben as he tries to decipher the mayhem that flows out of a mysterious jar found deep in an Iraqi underground city. Be warned: this book is not for the faint of heart. The absolute worst of mankind is put on display in these pages, so solve this mystery at your own risk.
Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House is like a deliciously dark cocktail, mixing Ivy League academia with secret societies, ghosts, and magic. Imagine walking through Yale’s hallowed halls, but every shadowy corner might hide a ghost or a dangerous ritual. The protagonist, Alex Stern, is as gritty as they come, with a troubled past that makes her a perfect outsider navigating a world of privilege and power. It’s smart, spooky, and gives you the thrill of unraveling an arcane puzzle with each chapter, all while tackling themes of trauma, privilege, and redemption. Perfect for fans of dark academia and anyone who loves a good whodunit with a supernatural twist!
I’ve always been drawn to the ideas of secret knowledge, and what drives people to engage in occult practices in an attempt to draw out this information. One book that focuses on this aspect of uncovered truths and terrible understanding is Odin’s Child by Siri Pettersen. The protagonist is the only person in their world without a tail, and in time spent around the rituals and ceremonies that inform their culture, they eventually realize that they’re from somewhere else entirely. This book is a great blend of mystery, fantasy, and occultism!