1. Mystery
Elements and Terms

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

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

4. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

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

14. 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.