Just Follow the Clues ! Mystery and Suspense How Will You Find Your Way ? Just Follow the Clues !

The History of Mystery Modern crime dramas owe a lot to Edgar Allan Poe- known as “the father of the mystery story”. Poe introduced mystery fiction's first fictional detective, Auguste C. Dupin, in his 1841 story, "The Murders in the Rue Morgue." "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" is the most famous example of a mystery style known as the locked room, in which "a murder victim is found inside an apparently sealed enclosure and the detective's challenge is to discover the murderer's modus operandi." “The Tale-Tell Heart” “M.O.” – the method of operation

Poe was one of the first to shift the focus of mystery stories from "a focus on the superficial trappings of eerie setting and shocking event to a study of the criminal's mind." (Crime Classics) “The Pit and the Pendulum” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's brilliant detective, Sherlock Holmes, arrived on the mystery scene in the late nineteenth century in "A Study in Scarlet" (1887). Holmes had a style unlike any detective seen before. With his flair for deducing clues, Sherlock Holmes worked with his ever-reliable sidekick, Dr. Watson, to figure out the clues and solve the crime. The genius of Conan Doyle was reflected in his creation of a character whose intelligence was formidable, turning the solving of crimes into a science.

The 1920s was known as the Golden Age of mystery fiction The 1920s was known as the Golden Age of mystery fiction. A time of growing prosperity in both England and America, the popularity of mystery fiction was at an all-time high. Crime in these stories strictly adhered to a prescribed format with little or no variation. A writer emerged during this time whose name became synonymous with Golden Age fiction. Agatha Christie wrote more than 80 novels in 50-plus years, and is today probably the best-known female mystery writer in history. “Murder on the Orient Express”

"Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? One of the most popular radio shows in history debuted in August 1930 when "The Shadow" went on the air. "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!" The opening lines of the "Detective Story" program captivated listeners and are instantly recognizable even today. Originally the narrator of the series of macabre tales, the eerie voice known as The Shadow became so popular to listeners that "Detective Story" was soon renamed "The Shadow," and the narrator became the star of the old-time mystery radio series, which ran for 24 years, until 1954. A figure never seen, only heard, the Shadow was an invincible crime fighter. He possessed many gifts which enabled him to overcome any enemy. Besides his tremendous strength, he could defy gravity, speak any language, unravel any code, and become invisible with his famous ability to "cloud men's minds." The Shadow knows!"

Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980), author, showman and famed director, had a career spanning five decades and over 50 films He is considered by many as the Master of Suspense of modern times. Hitchcock's strongly religious childhood teachings encompasses all the themes Hitchcock would later put in his work-- terror inflicted upon the unknowing- and sometimes innocent victim; guilt (both real guilt and the appearance of it); fear, and redemption. “Psycho” Rear Window

Rod Serling was born and grew up in New York. From an early age, he and his older brother, Robert, immersed themselves in mystery movies and magazines such as Astounding Stories and Weird Tales. From 1951 to 1955, Serling wrote television dramas for Playhouse 90. In 1957, he shocked his fans by leaving to create a science-fiction series he called The Twilight Zone. Playhouse 90 “The Twilight Zone”

In more recent times, author R. L In more recent times, author R.L. Stein has thrilled young readers with his “Goosebumps” series, telling mysterious tales of suspense and weird circumstances.

Taking the Mystery out of great Suspense stories

Identifying Elements of Mystery Writing

Setting and Atmosphere the author designs a place and time that seems mysterious or scary The setting fits the mood and atmosphere of the story. Atmosphere – the author uses words that make the setting seem scarier and more mysterious; the use of details and description to set a feeling/mood

What is Suspense ? Suspense – “when you’re dying to know what will happen next even though you’re afraid to find out” when the reader knows something scary is going to happen, but they don’t know what or when To build or develop suspense, the characters take (sometimes foolish) chances or risks that set up new obstacles or situations Often the author has the main character make a mistake that puts them in greater anger or causes new problems to solve

What is a “sleuth” ? Obstacles- A sleuth is a detective, employed or engaged in catching a criminal or getting information that is not easily available to solve a mystery. “Sidekick”-a character that assists the detective in solving the case Obstacles- problems for the character to solve

What’s a Mystery without Clues ? When reading a mystery, make a list of clues you may use to solve the mystery. ONE needs to be a CRUCIAL clue – the one piece of information that helps the “sleuth” finally solve the mystery Example – Stan says he received a strange phone call at eight o’clock at night. Later in the story, the main character researches where all the “suspects” were at eight o’clock, remembers what Stan said, and realizes a phone call to him at that time was impossible… so Stan lied – and is the criminal ! Consider “red herrings” – bits of information that are designed to mislead the readers by making them suspect the wrong characters. Example – Maybe you want to cast suspicion on Stan’s brother, who is seen throughout the story nibbling on cotton candy. The main character might find a set of “sticky” fingerprints on the doorknob of the murder room, leading the readers to suspect Stan’s brother.

*remember- an obstacle can be increased or complicated by a decision a character makes under pressure/ in a panic Example- a “bucket of water” on the roof when there is a small fire . . The reader may know the bucket actually contains kerosene from the cleaning crew, but the character believes it is water and throws it on the fire to extinguish the flames , but it actually “feeds the fire” *this techniques helps increase the tension of the rising action*

Important facts to remember- 1. Edgar Allan Poe- known as “the father of the mystery story” - created the mystery style known as the locked room 2. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's created the detective, Sherlock Holmes, an intelligent detective who turned solving of crime into a science. 3. Agatha Christie ,probably the best-known female mystery writer in history, creates predictable stories in the 1920s “Golden Age of Mystery Fiction Writing”. 4. "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!“ 1930s radio detective show 5. Alfred Hitchcock with a career spanning five decades and over 50 films, is considered by many as the Master of Suspense of modern times. 6. Rod Serling creates The Twilight Zone television program in 1957. 7. R.L. Stein wrote the “Goosebumps” series.

Important facts to remember- Elements of Mystery and Suspense- 1. Setting – the author designs a place and time that seems mysterious or scary 2. Atmosphere – the use of details and description to set a feeling/mood 3. Suspense – “when you’re dying to know what will happen next even though you’re afraid to find out” 4. A sleuth is a detective, employed or engaged in catching a criminal or getting information that is not easily available to solve a mystery. 5. Obstacles- problems for the character to solve; an obstacle can be increased or complicated by a decision a character makes under pressure or in a panic 6. CRUCIAL clue – the one piece of information that helps the “sleuth” finally solve the mystery 7. “red herrings” – bits of information that are designed to mislead the readers by making them suspect the wrong characters. 8. “Sidekick”- a character that assists the detective in solving the case

For Super Sleuths. . . Mystery / suspense sites for investigation – information http://www.fbi.gov/kids/k5th/kidsk5th.htm FBI for Kids http://www.eduweb.com/pintura/ mystery for art lovers http://teacher.scholastic.com/histmyst/index.asp “history” mysteries http://library.thinkquest.org/5751/ “Digging up Facts about Archaeology” activities http://kids.mysterynet.com/ Mystery Net site for Kids