To get some inspiration and more of an idea of what a typical "mystery" film opening is like, I've selected a few to watch and analyze. (AKA an excuse for me to watch a bunch of movie openings)
2011
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
The film opening for Hugo is meant to establish the setting and introduce the main character. It begins with a graphic match that cuts from a mechanism of gears (which relate back to the clock theme of the film) to a busy city. A pan is used to solidify that the city is indeed Paris by showing off the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe (two classic Paris attractions). The next shot takes the viewer along as if moves through a train station. The mise-en-scene elements (mostly costume design) and the sound track convey the time period of the film to the viewer (1930s). The shot ends on a close up of a boy (the main character), seen through a clock. The viewer sees as he watches the people below, and gets a hint that he may have some trouble with the police. A tracking shot it next as the camera follows the boy through tunnels as he makes his way from one clock to another, showing how familiar he is with his surroundings. The opening ends with a shopkeeper catching the boy as he tries to take a toy that had been sitting on the counter. The shopkeeper calls the boy a thief, alerting the viewer that this isn't the first time he's done this and maybe this is why he was scared of the officer earlier.
2013
Directed by: Louis Leterrier
The film opening for Now You See Me is meant to introduce the main characters. There are four different scenes. Each scene highlights and introduces a different character from the four horsemen (the group of magicians that is formed later in the film) as they perform some type of magic trick for an audience. It gives a brief look at their abilities and a little bit into their personalities. It also shows the scale that each magician is at. The first character is doing an elaborate card trick in front of a large crowd. The second character is doing a mind reading/hypnosis trick for a couple. The third character is doing a street performance as a distraction for his pickpocketing. The fourth character is hosting an elaborate performance on a type of stage with a large audience.
2009
Directed by: Guy Ritchie
The film opening for Sherlock Holmes is meant to establish the setting and introduce the main character. It begins with company logos and throws the viewer right into the middle of a chase scene. From the mise-en-scene elements (such as costume and set design), it can be deduced that the scene takes place around the late 1800s or early 1900s in a town somewhere in England. The main character is seen running while a group of carriages are also charging through the streets, its occupants preparing guns. The opening brings the viewer in immediately with the action and the question of what is happening. The score also increases the tone and builds up the mystery.
2007
Directed by: David Fincher
Film Opening
Film Opening
The film opening for Zodiac is meant to establish the setting/time and introduce the conflict. The opening shot is an aerial shot of the city and then cuts to a moving shot through a neighborhood. Fireworks are a constant sight, letting the viewer know that there's some type of event/celebration occurring. A subtitle tells the viewer the location and exact date (July 4, 1969 - Vallejo, CA). The music switches from non-diegetic to diegetic and a shot counter-shot editing technique is used as the characters converse. Two shot is used as the viewer rides along with the couple to their destination. The conflict is introduced at the end of the scene when the couple is repeatedly shot and murdered by an unknown person. A police officer shows up to investigate as a phone call to the police department plays. It is of the culprit telling the police exactly what he did and where they could find the kids, he also confesses to murdering other kids the year before. Since the couple aren't main characters and are killed off, the opening is not used to introduce characters (unless you count the killer).
After looking at multiple examples of film openings from the mystery sub-genre, I gathered that the main purpose of them was to establish the setting and/or introduce the main character(s). Except for Zodiac, none hinted at the overall conflict of the film. I will make sure to take this into account when I create my own film opening.
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