Themes
1920s
The Roaring Twenties brought dramatic social change after World War I. Prohibition turned Chicago into a playground for gangsters and speakeasies, while wealthy families retreated to their English countryside mansions, popularized in Agatha Christie's mysteries. The discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922 sparked "Egyptomania" and archaeological digs became sites of intrigue. The era's prosperity fueled entertainment, with grand opera houses showcasing the talents of the nouveau riche. Steam locomotives connected cities and became the perfect enclosed setting for mysteries like Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express."
Locations
- Speakeasy in Chicago
- Mansion on the English Countryside
- Archaeological Dig in Egypt
- Grand Opera House
- Steam Locomotive
1930s
The Great Depression reshaped society while Hollywood's Golden Age offered escape through film. Studios became hotbeds of scandal and celebrity intrigue, inspiring countless murder mysteries. Luxury liners crossing the Atlantic represented one of the last bastions of elegance, as immortalized in novels and films of the era. Paris remained a cultural hub where artists and intellectuals gathered in cafés despite growing tensions in Europe. Art Deco hotels symbolized luxury amid hardship, while radio broadcasting stations connected the world, creating new celebrities and narratives captured in mystery fiction like "The Shadow."
Locations
- Hollywood Film Studio
- Luxury Transatlantic Liner
- Parisian Cafe
- Art Deco Hotel
- Radio Broadcasting Station
1940s
World War II dominated the decade, with European capitals becoming centers of intrigue, espionage, and resistance. The war inspired spy thrillers and mysteries set against dramatic backdrops. Private investigators in film noir classics stalked the streets of New York, reflecting post-war cynicism and moral ambiguity. Secret military bases developed technologies that would shape the future while becoming perfect settings for mysteries involving government conspiracies. Jazz record stores offered sanctuary from conflict, with the music scene providing rich settings for mysteries involving musicians and music industry figures.
Locations
- War-torn European Capital
- Private Investigator's Office in New York
- Secret Military Base
- Jazz Record Store
1950s
The post-war economic boom created idyllic suburban American homes hiding secrets behind picket fences, as depicted in domestic suspense novels. The Cold War accelerated scientific advancement, making science facilities centers of both progress and paranoia. New Orleans jazz clubs preserved musical traditions while attracting diverse characters perfect for murder mysteries. Drive-in movie theaters became cultural icons of teenage freedom and romance, offering unique settings for midnight murders. The birth of rock and roll created new recording studios filled with ambitious artists, money, and motives for crime.
Locations
- Suburban American Home
- A Science Facility
- Jazz Club in New Orleans
- Drive-in Movie Theater
- Rock and Roll Recording Studio
1960s
Cultural revolution swept the world. London art galleries showcased Pop Art and new artistic movements that challenged traditions, creating perfect backdrops for art theft mysteries. Silicon Valley research labs pioneered computing technology that would transform society. San Francisco's hippie communes represented counterculture ideals and experiments in communal living. Space research centers captured global imagination during the Space Race, while Paris fashion houses defined style during a period of radical change, offering glamorous settings for industry rivalries and intrigue.
Locations
- London Art Gallery
- Research Lab in Silicon Valley
- Hippie Commune in San Francisco
- Space Research Center
- Fashion House in Paris
1970s
The decade of disco, political scandal, and social change. New York's disco clubs like Studio 54 became celebrity playgrounds with VIP rooms hiding all manner of secrets. Hollywood film sets captured the gritty realism that defined 70s cinema, while secret government facilities featured in post-Watergate conspiracy thrillers. Underground news agencies fought to expose corruption, and record label headquarters navigated the explosive growth of rock music, punk, and disco, creating environments ripe for mysteries involving fame, fortune, and jealousy.
Locations
- Disco Club in New York
- Film Set in Hollywood
- Secret Government Facility
- Underground News Agency
- Record Label Headquarters
1980s
Excess and ambition defined the era. Wall Street firms embodied the "greed is good" mentality with high-stakes financial crimes. Silicon Valley tech startups pioneered personal computing in garages that would become billion-dollar companies. Cold War bunkers represented the ongoing tensions with the Soviet Union, while video game development labs created new virtual worlds during the arcade and early console boom. MTV Studios revolutionized music and visual culture, creating new celebrities and scandals perfect for murder mysteries.
Locations
- Wall Street Firm
- Tech Startup in Silicon Valley
- Cold War Bunker
- Video Game Development Lab
- MTV Studios
1990s
The digital revolution transformed society. Seattle internet cafés witnessed the early dot-com boom while corporate headquarters in New York navigated economic transformation. London's underground rave scene created new subcultures and music movements away from mainstream oversight. Biotech research facilities pushed the boundaries of genetic science, raising ethical questions explored in popular thrillers. Game developer conventions showcased the rapid evolution of video games from niche hobby to mainstream entertainment industry worth billions.
Locations
- Internet Cafe in Seattle
- Corporate Headquarters in New York
- Underground Rave in London
- Biotech Research Facility
- Game Developer Convention
2000s
Technology accelerated global connectivity. San Francisco biotech labs raced to map the human genome and develop new treatments. Social media startup offices created platforms that would transform human interaction and privacy. The International Space Station represented unprecedented international cooperation in space. Reality TV production studios manufactured fame and competition for growing audiences. Quantum computing labs worked on technology that promised to revolutionize information processing, creating settings for mysteries involving cutting-edge science.
Locations
- Biotech Lab in San Francisco
- Social Media Startup Office
- International Space Station
- Reality TV Production Studio
- Quantum Computing Lab
2010s
The smartphone era transformed daily life and created new economies. Tokyo's cryptocurrency exchanges became centers of digital wealth and intrigue, with billions changing hands in virtual currencies like Bitcoin. Seoul's e-sports arenas elevated competitive gaming to a global phenomenon with superstar players, corporate sponsorships, and high-stakes tournaments. Boston's artificial intelligence labs developed learning algorithms that raised profound questions about technology and humanity. Social media platform headquarters wielded unprecedented influence over politics and culture, while drone development facilities created autonomous flying machines for purposes ranging from warfare to package delivery, offering modern settings for mysteries involving cutting-edge technology and digital-age crimes.
Locations
- Cryptocurrency Exchange in Tokyo
- E-Sports Arena in Seoul
- Artificial Intelligence Lab in Boston
- Social Media Platform HQ
- Drone Development Facility
2020s
The future arrived with new challenges and possibilities. Private space exploration facilities represent humanity's renewed ambitions beyond Earth. Underwater research stations study marine life and climate change in the depths of the Pacific. Virtual reality game studios create immersive digital worlds that blur the line between reality and fantasy. Metaverse development centers build digital spaces where people live alternate lives. Climate research stations monitor our changing planet, creating isolated settings with brilliant scientists and high stakes perfect for modern mysteries.
Locations
- Private Space Exploration Facility
- Underwater Research Station in the Pacific
- Virtual Reality Game Developer Studio
- Metaverse Development Center
- Climate Research Station