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

The History of Mystery Modern crime dramas owe a lot to Edgar Allan Poe- known as “the father of the mystery story”.Edgar Allan Poe “The Tale-Tell Heart”

► 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.“ ► “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). Sherlock HolmesSherlock Holmes

► 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. 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. “Murder on the Orient Express”

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.Agatha Christie

Alfred Hitchcock ( ), 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 created a science-fiction series called The Twilight Zone. “The Twilight Zone”

In the 90s, author R.L. Stein thrilled young readers with his “Goosebumps” series, telling mysterious tales of suspense and weird circumstances. In the 90s, author R.L. Stein thrilled young readers with his “Goosebumps” series, telling mysterious tales of suspense and weird circumstances.

Lemony Snicket

Taking the out of great stories

Identifying Elements of Mystery Writing

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

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 a mistake that puts them in greater anger or causes new problems to solve

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

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* *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” -Edgar Allan Poe created the mystery style known as the locked room 2. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's created the detective, Sherlock Holmes,Sherlock Holmes an intelligent detective who turned solving of crime into a science. 3. Agatha Christie,probably the best-known female mystery writerAgatha Christie in history, creates predictable stories in the 1920s “Golden Age of Mystery Fiction Writing”. "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!“ 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. Rod Serling 6. Rod Serling creates The Twilight Zone television program in R.L. Stein wrote the “Goosebumps” series.

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

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