1. A work of fiction in which the element of fear or suspense dominates the story

2.  Detective story-a detective puts together clues in a crime such as a murder and, using these clues, solves the crime  Gothic novel-set in a gloomy atmosphere where terrifying occurrences happen  Suspense novel-horror story in which the reader is constantly surprised by unexpected occurrences and awaits the ending with great anticipation  Spy story-about the exploits of a spy

3.  Crime is committed  Identity of guilty person is unknown  Solved by a detective/person who gathers clues and solves the case

4.  The story must not contain any supernatural happenings or anything that cannot be explained by rational means  The criminal must be a reasonably prominent figure in the story  The criminal must have a personal motive understandable to the reader  The crime must not result from accident nor may the death be a suicide  The reader must share in the detective’s discoveries, either “seeing the evidence” as it is found or being told of its significance as it is established

5.  Setting- must be unique enough to allow for the planning and the commission of the crime  Plot-must be complex and logical enough to maintain reader interest  Theme-universal-crime doesn’t pay  Characters-predictable  Criminal  Detective  Victim  Other suspects  Climax-occurs (usually) when the criminal is confronted with the evidence or circumstances that convict him