Elements of Mystery

How Will You Find Your Way ?
Just Follow the

Clues !
The History of Mystery

Modern crime dramas owe a lot to
Edgar Allan Poe- known as the
father of the mystery story.
Poe introduced mystery fiction's
first fictional detective, Auguste
C. Dupin, in his story, "The
Murders in the Rue Morgue.
"The Murders in the Rue Morgue"
is the most famous example of a
mystery style known as the locked
room, in which "a murder victim is
found inside an apparently sealed
enclosure and the detective's
challenge is to discover the
murderer's modus operandi."
M.O. the method of operation
The Pit and the Pendulum
Poe was one of the first to

shift the focus of mystery
stories from "a focus on
the superficial trappings
of eerie setting and
shocking event to a study
of the criminal's mind"
(Crime Classics).
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's brilliant detective,

Sherlock Holmes, arrived on the mystery scene in
the late nineteenth century in "A Study in Scarlet"
(1887).
Holmes had a style unlike any detective seen
before. With his flair for deducing clues, Sherlock
Holmes worked with his ever-reliable sidekick,
Dr. Watson, to
figure out the clues and solve the crime.
The genius of Conan Doyle was reflected in his
creation of a character whose intelligence was
formidable, turning the solving of crimes into a
The 1920s was known as the

Golden Age of mystery fiction.
A time of growing prosperity
in both England and America,
the popularity of mystery
fiction was at an all-time high.
Crime in these stories strictly
adhered to a prescribed
format with little or no
variation.
A writer emerged during this
time whose name became
synonymous with Golden Age
fiction.
Agatha Christie wrote more
than 80 novels in 50-plus
years, and is today probably
the best-known female
mystery writer in history.
Murder on the Orient Express
In more recent times,

author R.L. Stein has
thrilled young readers
with his Goosebumps
series, telling
mysterious tales of
suspense and weird
circumstances.
Identifying Elements of Mystery

Writing
Setting and
Setting
Atmosphere
the author designs a place and time

that seems mysterious or scary
The setting fits the mood
and atmosphere of the story.
Atmosphere
the author uses words that make the setting
seem scarier and more mysterious; the use of
details and description to set a feeling/mood
What is Suspense ?
Suspense
when youre dying to know what will happen next
even though youre afraid to find out
*problem in mystery not revealed until end of the novel
when the reader knows something scary
is going to happen,
but they dont know what or when
To build or develop suspense, the characters take
(sometimes foolish) chances or risks
that set up new obstacles or situations
Often
the author has the main character make

a mistake that puts them in greater danger
or causes new problems to solve
What is a sleuth ?
A sleuth is a detective, employed or engaged in catching a criminal or
getting information that is not easily available to solve a mystery.
Sidekick-a character that assists

the detective in solving the case
Obstaclesproblems for the character to solve
Whats a Mystery without Clues ?

When reading a mystery, make a list of clues you may use to solve the mystery.
ONE needs to be a CRUCIAL clue
the one piece of information that helps the sleuth finally solve the mystery
Example Stan says he received a strange phone call at eight oclock at night
Later in the story, the main character researches where all the susp
were at eight oclock, remembers what Stan said, and realizes a pho
to him at that time was impossible so Stan lied and is the crimin
Consider red herrings bits of information that are designed to mislead
the readers by making them suspect the wrong
characters.
Example Maybe you want to cast suspicion on Stans brother, who is seen
throughout the story nibbling on cotton candy. The main
character might find a set of sticky fingerprints on the doorknob
of the murder room, leading the readers to suspect Stans brother.
*remember- an obstacle can be increased or

complicated by a decision a character
makes under pressure/ in a panic
Example- a bucket of water on the roof when there is a small fire . .
The reader may know the bucket actually contains kerosene from
the cleaning crew, but the character believes it is water and throws
it on the fire to extinguish the flames , but it actually feeds the fire
*this techniques helps increase the tension of the rising action*
Important facts to remember- Elements of Mystery and Suspense1. Setting

the author designs a place and time that seems mysterious or scary
2. Atmosphere
the use of details and description to set a feeling/mood
3. Suspense
when youre dying to know what will happen next
even though youre afraid to find out
4. A sleuth is a detective, employed or engaged in catching a criminal or
getting information that is not easily available to solve a mystery.
5. Obstacles- problems for the character to solve; an obstacle can be
increased or complicated by a decision a character makes under pressure
or in a panic
6. CRUCIAL clue the one piece of information that helps the sleuth
finally solve the mystery
7. red herrings bits of information that are designed to distract the
readers by
making them suspect the wrong characters.

Elements of Mystery

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How Will You Find Your Way ?

Just Follow the

The History of Mystery

M.O. the method of operation

The Pit and the Pendulum

Poe was one of the first to

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's brilliant detective,

The 1920s was known as the

Murder on the Orient Express

In more recent times,

Identifying Elements of Mystery

the author designs a place and time

the author has the main character make

Sidekick-a character that assists

Obstaclesproblems for the character to solve

Whats a Mystery without Clues ?

*remember- an obstacle can be increased or

Important facts to remember- Elements of Mystery and Suspense1. Setting

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