环环相扣

huán huán xiāng kòu

closely linked, each part leading to the next

Character by character

环huán
ring

相xiāng
each other

扣kòu
interlock

好的推理小说线索环环相扣，少看一章都不行。

In a good detective novel the clues are so tightly linked that you cannot skip a single chapter.

Tone: positive (praise).

Like the links of a chain. Praise for plots, arguments and processes in which every step depends on the one before: 情节环环相扣, 各个环节环环相扣.

Learn this in Lesson 65 · HSK 6: 网文与短剧 (Web novels and micro-dramas)

A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.