Just Follow the Clues ! How Will You Find Your Way ?

Part I The History of Mystery

Modern crime dramas owe a lot to Edgar Allan Poe- known as “the father of the mystery story”.Edgar Allan Poe Poe introduced mystery fiction's first fictional detective, Auguste C. Dupin, in his 1841 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.= method of operation) 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) “The Tale-Tell Heart”

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). Sherlock Holmes 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 science.

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.Agatha Christie 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.Agatha Christie “Murder on the Orient Express”

"Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? One of the most popular radio shows in history debuted in August 1930 when "The Shadow" went on the air. "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!" The opening lines of the "Detective Story" program captivated listeners and are instantly recognizable even today. The eerie voice known as The Shadow became so popular to listeners that "Detective Story" was soon renamed "The Shadow," and the narrator became the star of the old-time mystery radio series, which ran for 24 years, until A figure never seen, only heard, the Shadow was an invincible crime fighter. He possessed many gifts which enabled him to overcome any enemy. " One of the most popular radio shows in history debuted in August 1930 when "The Shadow" went on the air. "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!" The opening lines of the "Detective Story" program captivated listeners and are instantly recognizable even today. The eerie voice known as The Shadow became so popular to listeners that "Detective Story" was soon renamed "The Shadow," and the narrator became the star of the old-time mystery radio series, which ran for 24 years, until A figure never seen, only heard, the Shadow was an invincible crime fighter. He possessed many gifts which enabled him to overcome any enemy. " The Shadow knows!"

Alfred Hitchcock ( ), author, showman and famed director, had a career spanning five decades and over 50 films He is considered by many as the Master of Suspense of modern times. Hitchcock's strongly religious childhood teachings encompasses all the themes Hitchcock would later put in his work-- terror inflicted upon the unknowing- and sometimes innocent victim; guilt (both real guilt and the appearance of it); fear, and redemption. “Psycho” Rear Window

Rod Serling was born and grew up in New York. From an early age, he and his older brother, Robert, immersed themselves in mystery movies and magazines such as Astounding Stories and Weird Tales. From 1951 to 1955, Serling wrote television dramas for Playhouse 90. In 1957, he shocked his fans by leaving to create a science-fiction series he called The Twilight Zone. Rod Serling was born and grew up in New York. From an early age, he and his older brother, Robert, immersed themselves in mystery movies and magazines such as Astounding Stories and Weird Tales. From 1951 to 1955, Serling wrote television dramas for Playhouse 90. In 1957, he shocked his fans by leaving to create a science-fiction series he called The Twilight Zone. “The Twilight Zone” Playhouse 90

In more recent times, author R.L. Stein has thrilled young readers with his “Goosebumps” series, telling mysterious tales of suspense and weird circumstances.

Part II Mystery Vocabulary

Key Terms Alibi- An excuse that an accused person used to show that he or she was NOT at the scene of the crime Breakthrough- A discovery that helps solve the crime Clue- A fact or object that gives information toward solving the crime Crime- Any action that breaks the law Deduction – Drawing a conclusion Detective- Am investigator looking for clues Evidence- A thing or statement that helps to catch who committed the crime Alibi- An excuse that an accused person used to show that he or she was NOT at the scene of the crime Breakthrough- A discovery that helps solve the crime Clue- A fact or object that gives information toward solving the crime Crime- Any action that breaks the law Deduction – Drawing a conclusion Detective- Am investigator looking for clues Evidence- A thing or statement that helps to catch who committed the crime

More Key Terms Hunch- A guess or feeling NOT based on facts Motive- A reason that a person does something Mystery – Something that is unknown Red Herring- A FALSE clue Sleuth – An investigator or detective (could include a sidekick who helps the sleuth) Suspect- A person who has a motive to have committed the crime Witness – Someone who has knowledge of the crime Hunch- A guess or feeling NOT based on facts Motive- A reason that a person does something Mystery – Something that is unknown Red Herring- A FALSE clue Sleuth – An investigator or detective (could include a sidekick who helps the sleuth) Suspect- A person who has a motive to have committed the crime Witness – Someone who has knowledge of the crime

Part III Rules of a Mystery

Rules of Mystery Lawrence Trent, in his preface to the Mystery Writer’s Handbook, states what a mystery story really should contain in its structure. He calls them the rules of the classic mystery. Lawrence Trent, in his preface to the Mystery Writer’s Handbook, states what a mystery story really should contain in its structure. He calls them the rules of the classic mystery.

Rule #1 Rule 1: There must be a crime and the reader must want to see its solution; his interest must be aroused and then he must long to see the mystery solved. Rule 1: There must be a crime and the reader must want to see its solution; his interest must be aroused and then he must long to see the mystery solved.

Rule #2 Rule 2: The criminal must appear reasonably early in the story. The villain must be evident for a good portion of the book. Rule 2: The criminal must appear reasonably early in the story. The villain must be evident for a good portion of the book.

Rule #3 Rule 3: The author must be honest and all clues must be made available to the reader. The reader must know everything the protagonist knows. Rule 3: The author must be honest and all clues must be made available to the reader. The reader must know everything the protagonist knows.

Rule #4 Rule 4: The detective must exert effort to catch the criminal and the criminal must exert effort to fool the detective and escape from him. Coincidence is taboo.

Part IV Creating Suspense

Suspense A feeling of anxiety or fear created by an author to keep readers guessing about the outcome of events.

Suspense A “suspending” of our emotions. We know something is about to happen, we just don’t know what or when.

Suspense The longer the writer keeps the reader guessing, the greater the suspense. The longer the writer keeps the reader guessing, the greater the suspense.

Alfred Hitchcock said... “There is no terror in the [gun’s] bang, only in the anticipation of it.” “There is no terror in the [gun’s] bang, only in the anticipation of it.”

Techniques for Creating Suspense

Foreshadowing A hint or clue about what is to happen later in a story.

Foreshadowing The use of foreshadowing allows a reader to predict what might happen later in a story without giving away too much information.

Foreshadowing Foreshadowing creates nervous anticipation as the reader waits for “it” to happen.

Describing Action as if Happening in “Slow Motion” Suspense does not rush from event to event, but lingers over the most horrific details of each event.

Describing Action as if Happening in “Slow Motion” This allows the reader to “take in” or focus on each detail one at a time.

Describing Action as if Happening in “Slow Motion” Descriptions that linger over the detail creates anticipation for what is to come next.

First Person Point of View This allows the reader to see the action as it happens through the eyes of the person experiencing the events.

First Person Point of View Terrible events are likely to be more vivid if described by the person experiencing them rather than a third- person narrator.

First Person Point of View Suspense is created when the writer does not let the reader know anything before the narrator does. The reader lives the story along with the narrator.

Omitting Important Information This can act as a red herring, thus preventing the reader from accurately predicting the outcome of the story’s events and creating a surprise ending.

Omitting Important Information Omitting graphic and gruesome details forces the reader to use his/her imagination. This often results in a scene far more horrific than an author could have described in words.

Henry James said... “The worst fears can be the products of the human mind, which can create its own reality.” “The worst fears can be the products of the human mind, which can create its own reality.”

Dramatic Irony Dramatic irony occurs when the reader knows something that characters do not know.

Dramatic Irony This creates nervous anticipation in the reader, knowing what will happen, but not when it will happen.

Flashbacks A flashback is when a character gives information about his/her past. Flashbacks take the reader back in time. It is a break from the current story. A flashback can give background information (a back- story) which can be essential to what is going on in the current plot.

Symbols/Symbolism Symbol: Something that represents something else: especially an object representing an abstraction Symbolism is when the author uses an object or reference to add deeper meaning to a story.

Mood Mood is the way THE READER feels while reading the story Possible moods: Fearful Spooky Serious Annoyed Eerie Sympathetic