Mystery and Suspense
What is Mystery? A secret, a riddle, a puzzle Essential ingredients are an element of crime, mixed with an element of detection. You have to find out the secret, and solve the riddle or puzzle to find the criminal or enemy and crack the case. The hero or heroine appears in a series of adventures.
Key Elements in Mystery… Plot The plot in a mystery centers around the detective’s attempts to uncover clues to help solve the mystery.
Key Elements in Mystery… Conflict The interaction between the character who has committed the crime and the character who is trying to solve the crime.
Key Elements in Mystery… Characters Suspects – characters believed to have committed the crime
Key Elements in Mystery… Characters Detective – character trying to solve the mystery
Key Elements in Mystery… Characters Witnesses – characters who saw the crime being committed.
Key Elements in Mystery… Characters Victim – character who is deceived, cheated, or receives the unfortunate act.
Key Elements in Mystery… Clues Clues are hints that can help the reader and the detective solve the mystery. They can be things people say or do, or objects that are found that provide important information.
Key Elements in Mystery… Red Herrings These are distractions or false clues that may lead the reader or the detective off track. Red Herrings often make it more difficult to solve a mystery.
Structure of a Mystery Most mysteries are set up the same way. Beginning – characters are introduced and the reader learns about the problem. Middle – detectives work to solve the mystery by interviewing suspects and gathering clues. End – the mystery is solved!