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Hello! I don’t know if you’re still looking for input, but here is what I have found most helpful:

Mysteries tend to be very structured, especially when looking at episodic mysteries. Someone (I forget who) broke it down into 5 elements that most mysteries have. (1) Someone finds the body. When I write, this is the first act, and it’s usually the shortest act of the story. (2) Evidence is discovered. This includes anything that you normally think of when talking murder. It lasts a while and is often tedious because you have to write out all the logistics of how the victim bit it. In your case, writing a book, this will likely look like chapters of people finding stuff. (3) The plot thickens. New evidence is introduced that dismantles (or at least rumples) the best theory of the investigator. In your case, this might happen more than once. (4) The plot thickens more. Basically the same deal as 3. (5) The case is solved. I find it the most satisfying to have my killers break and confess.

Following this structure has made it easier for me to weave in character beats and more engaging story elements as I go. If you lean towards outlining, this is honestly the perfect genre. Even if you don’t outline your work now, I recommend that you do it for this project. It will make your life much easier.

I hope that helps!