1. Mystery Genre

2. Elements of a Mystery A Crime Various Clues Suspense and Tension
Solution

3. Three Rules of Crime Solving
- Motive –
The prime suspect must have a REASON to commit the crime.

4. Three Rules of Crime Solving
- Means –
The prime suspect must have had a WAY to commit the crime.

5. Three Rules of Crime Solving
- Opportunity –
The prime suspect must have had the CHANCE to commit the crime.

6. Mystery Jargon

7. - Sleuth - the private investigator
or detective investigating the case
EXAMPLE = Sherlock Holmes

8. - Culprit – person who committed or assists in the crime

9. person running from the law
- fugitive –
person running from the law

10. information or clues concerning the case
- Lead –
information or clues concerning the case

11. to ask questions related to the crime
- Interrogate –
to ask questions related to the crime

12. proof that a suspect was nowhere near the crime scene
- Alibi –
proof that a suspect was nowhere near the crime scene

13. using the facts to infer a conclusion/solution to the case
- Deduction –
using the facts to infer a conclusion/solution to the case

14. 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.

15. Solving the Mystery

16. - Fact – something that cannot be disputed
EXAMPLE: Ben is dead.

17. EXAMPLE: Ben was murdered.
- Assumption –
a guess
EXAMPLE: Ben was murdered.

18. EXAMPLE: Whoever murdered Ben… has something to hide.
- Inference –
a guess based on facts
EXAMPLE: Whoever murdered Ben… has something to hide.

19. 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.

20. Clues

21. Financial/Telephone Records Interrogation/Questioning Witnesses
Fingerprints
Blood/Hair/Fabric
Dead Body
Financial/Telephone Records
Interrogation/Questioning Witnesses
Suspicious items
Lifestyle changes
Personal items

22. Enjoy a mystery book today!