Mystery Booktalk

Mystery Genre What is a genre? What is a genre? What is fiction? What is fiction? What is a mystery? What is a mystery?

What is a genre? Type of fiction Type of fiction

What is Fiction? A story that is not real. A story that is not real. An invention of your imagination. An invention of your imagination.

What is a Mystery? A genre that: A genre that: Usually involves a crime Usually involves a crime Sometimes includes a dead body Sometimes includes a dead body Sometimes involves a missing person Sometimes involves a missing person Has a puzzle to solve Has a puzzle to solve The puzzle is solved by a detective or amateur sleuth The puzzle is solved by a detective or amateur sleuth

Elements of a Mystery Suspense Suspense Person in trouble Person in trouble Locked Room Locked Room Odd Characters Odd Characters Unexplained events/puzzling Circumstances Unexplained events/puzzling Circumstances Secrecy Secrecy Disappearances Disappearances

Types of Mysteries Cozy Cozy Amateur Sleuths Amateur Sleuths Accidental Investigators Accidental Investigators Professional Sleuths Professional Sleuths Historical Mysteries Historical Mysteries Ghosts and Gothic Ghosts and Gothic

Cozy Mysteries Bloodless Bloodless Although a body or murder may be included. Although a body or murder may be included. Examples: Examples: Cam Jansen Mysteries Cam Jansen Mysteries The Chet Gecko Mysteries The Chet Gecko Mysteries

Amateur Sleuths The person who enjoys solving a mystery but doesn’t get paid for his or her services. The person who enjoys solving a mystery but doesn’t get paid for his or her services. Examples: Examples: Nancy Drew Nancy Drew Hardy Boys Hardy Boys The Three Investigators The Three Investigators

Accidental Investigators Person who enjoys solving a mystery but doesn’t seek out a mystery. Person who enjoys solving a mystery but doesn’t seek out a mystery. Examples: Examples: The Pet-Sitting Peril The Pet-Sitting Peril The Chet Gecko Series The Chet Gecko Series

Professional Sleuths A person who solves mysteries for his or her job. A person who solves mysteries for his or her job. Examples: Examples: The Dark Stairs – Betsy Byars The Dark Stairs – Betsy Byars Agatha Christie Mysteries Agatha Christie Mysteries

Historical Mysteries Takes place in the past. Takes place in the past. Can involve time travel. Can involve time travel. Sometimes brings in real life historical characters. Sometimes brings in real life historical characters. Examples: Examples: The Roman Mysteries The Roman Mysteries Qwerty Stevens Mysteries Qwerty Stevens Mysteries

Ghosts and Gothic May include ghosts, supernatural elements or horror. May include ghosts, supernatural elements or horror. Often take place in old houses or areas where horrible things have happened. Often take place in old houses or areas where horrible things have happened. Examples: Examples: Meg Mackintosh Mysteries Meg Mackintosh Mysteries

Tips to Remember! Always use the five finger rule. Always use the five finger rule. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Don’t judge a book by its cover. A mystery should grab you from the very first page. A mystery should grab you from the very first page.

Happy Sleuthing! To Sum up the Mystery Genre: Mysteries are usually fiction. Mysteries include a variety of elements. Mysteries come in all different types. For fun with mysteries click here