Mystery Elements and Terms

ELEMENTS OF A MYSTERY 1. SPINE-TINGLING WORDS 2. SUSPENSE 3. PLOTS with puzzles 4. CLUES 5. EERIE SETTINGS 6. UNEXPLAINED events or actions

STORIES IN THIS GENRE INCLUDE: 1. SUSPENSE NOVELS 2. DETECTIVE STORIES 3. STORIES OF CRIME AND THE SUPERNATURAL

WHAT MAKES MYSTERIES SO APPEALING? 1. They use spine-tingling words, suspense, plots with puzzles, clues, eerie settings, unexplained events and actions. 2. Some follow a pattern and are known as formula mysteries where suspense and often terror are the controlling elements. 3. Mystery stories can be set in a historical period or in the present. 4. Suspense novels, detective stories, and stories of crime and the supernatural all rely on the common element of unexplained events and actions.

Mystery Plot A carefully crafted plot carries a mystery or suspense novel with the characters, setting and mood playing minor roles.

Mystery-Characters Strong characterizations can add to the mystery by challenging the reader to determine which character had motive for the misdeed or crime.

Mystery-Setting The setting of a mystery is often an intriguing place such as a cave or a very old house.

REALISTIC FICTION A story, with imaginary characters, that could exist in the real world.

ELEMENTS OF REALISTIC FICTION The story takes place in modern times. True–to-Life characters are involved in events that could happen

Definitions to Learn and to Use People 1. Sleuth: “private eye”/private investigator/detective investigating the case 2. Sidekick: ”helper,” person/animal who helps detective investigate the crime 3. Victim: person to whom the crime happened 4. Snitch: person who tells on someone else 5. Suspect: a person who may be involved in the crime 6. Witness: someone who saw what happened 7. Culprit: person who committed or assists in the crime 8. Fugitive: person running from the law 9. Secondary Source: witness who has information s/he heard from someone else

Definitions to Learn and to Use Technical Terms 10. Crime: illegal act that is committed 11. Clues: pieces of the puzzle that help solve the mystery 12. Lead: information or clues concerning the case 13. Interrogate: to ask questions related to the crime 14. Alibi: proof that a suspect was nowhere near the crime 15. Evidence: something that helps prove who the criminal is 16. Deduction: using the facts to infer a conclusion

RED HERRING A red herring is a false clue or lead. The phrase means “camouflage” and comes from the process of curing a herring (type of fish). When a herring is salted and smoked slowly over a wood fire, it turns a dark reddish brown color and gains a strong flavor and scent. The smell is so strong that it overwhelms other scents. According to some old tales, red herrings were pulled across the trail of hounds to confuse and throw them off the trail. Sometimes writers of detective fiction deliberately “fake-out” readers by planting misleading clues—known as red herrings.

Elements of a Mystery A crime Variety of characters Clues Suspense and tension Solution

Three Rules of Crime Solving Motive The prime suspect must have had a reason to commit the crime. Means The prime suspect must have had a way to commit the crime. Opportunity The prime suspect must have had the chance to commit the crime.