Mystery Genre
Elements of a Mystery A Crime Various Clues Suspense and Tension Solution
Three Rules of Crime Solving - Motive – The prime suspect must have a REASON to commit the crime.
Three Rules of Crime Solving - Means – The prime suspect must have had a WAY to commit the crime.
Three Rules of Crime Solving - Opportunity – The prime suspect must have had the CHANCE to commit the crime.
Mystery Jargon
- Sleuth - the private investigator or detective investigating the case EXAMPLE = Sherlock Holmes
- Culprit – person who committed or assists in the crime
person running from the law - fugitive – person running from the law
information or clues concerning the case - Lead – information or clues concerning the case
to ask questions related to the crime - Interrogate – to ask questions related to the crime
proof that a suspect was nowhere near the crime scene - Alibi – proof that a suspect was nowhere near the crime scene
using the facts to infer a conclusion/solution to the case - Deduction – using the facts to infer a conclusion/solution to the case
a false clue or lead - Red Herring – According to some old tales, red herrings were pulled across the trail of hounds to confuse them and throw them off the trail. Mystery writers deliberately “fake-out” readers by planting these misleading clues.
Solving the Mystery
- Fact – something that cannot be disputed EXAMPLE: Ben is dead.
EXAMPLE: Ben was murdered. - Assumption – a guess EXAMPLE: Ben was murdered.
EXAMPLE: Whoever murdered Ben… has something to hide. - Inference – a guess based on facts EXAMPLE: Whoever murdered Ben… has something to hide.
EXAMPLE: Ben must have threatened to tell the killer’s secret. - Deduction – an educated guess EXAMPLE: Ben must have threatened to tell the killer’s secret.
Clues
Financial/Telephone Records Interrogation/Questioning Witnesses Fingerprints Blood/Hair/Fabric Dead Body Financial/Telephone Records Interrogation/Questioning Witnesses Suspicious items Lifestyle changes Personal items
Enjoy a mystery book today!