The 'And Then The Murders Began' meme finds its roots in the opening line of Martha Wells' critically acclaimed sci-fi novella, 'All Systems Red,' the first book in The Murderbot Diaries. The phrase became an instant hit on platforms like Tumblr and Twitter for its blunt, deadpan delivery and its ability to immediately escalate the stakes of any narrative. In meme culture, it is frequently used as a caption for wholesome or mundane images to create a jarring and humorous contrast. Whether it's paired with an Edward Gorey illustration or a photo of a suburban neighborhood, the meme perfectly captures the 'escalated quickly' vibe that internet users love for subverting expectations.