1. Mystery Genre

2. Mystery  a work of fiction, a drama, or a film dealing with a puzzling crime

3. What is Mystery?  A Problem To Solve  Who did it?  What is it?  How did it happen?

4. Mystery is……  Realistic in some ways  Everything in the story revolves around a puzzle or an unusual problem to solve.  The author drops hints that might help the reader solve the mystery.  There might be distractions in story to lead the reader away from the correct solution.  The story ends with a credible, realistic solution to the mystery

5. Often Called A ‘Whodunnit?’  An often complicated, plot-driven story  the reader is provided with clues  the identity of the perpetrator of the crime may be deduced (figured out) before the solution is revealed in the final pages of the book

6. Mystery Genre Terminology  Alibi ~ a plea offered by an accused person of not having been at the scene of crime.  Clue ~ something that appears to give information toward solving the crime.  Crime ~ a serious violation of the law.  Culprit ~ a person guilty of a crime.

7.  Deduction ~ collecting facts and drawing a possible conclusion.  Evidence ~ someone or something that proves who committed the crime.  Motive ~ the cause of a criminal’s action.  Red herring ~ a false lead that throws investigators off track.

8.  Sleuth ~ an investigator or detective.  Suspects ~ people who appear to have a motive to have committed the crime.  Suspense ~ feeling of excitement or uncertainty as to the outcome of a situation.  Witness ~ person who has personal knowledge about the crime.