Mystery stories are a genre of fiction that focus on the investigation of a crime, often a murder, and the search for the person responsible. They often include elements of suspense, puzzle-solving, and clues that are revealed as the story progresses.
There are many different types of mystery stories, including traditional detective stories, amateur sleuth stories, and cozy mysteries. In traditional detective stories, the crime is usually solved by a professional detective, such as Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot. In amateur sleuth stories, the main character is a layperson who becomes involved in solving the crime. Cozy mysteries are a subgenre of amateur sleuth stories that are characterized by a small-town setting, a limited number of suspects, and a lack of violence.
Mystery stories often follow a formula known as "the mystery arc," which consists of the crime being committed, the investigation, the revelation of the perpetrator, and the resolution. The resolution can include the perpetrator being apprehended, the victim seeking justice, or both.
Some notable mystery writers include Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Edgar Allan Poe.
There are many subgenres within the mystery genre, including:
Noir: Noir mysteries are characterized by their dark, cynical tone and often take place in urban settings. They often feature hardboiled detectives and complex, flawed characters.
Psychological thrillers: These mysteries focus on the inner workings of the characters' minds and may include elements of suspense, horror, and crime.
Suspense: Suspense mysteries are characterized by their high level of tension and often involve a protagonist trying to escape a dangerous situation.
Historical mysteries: These mysteries are set in the past and may include elements of historical events or figures.
Cozy mysteries: Cozy mysteries are a subgenre of amateur sleuth stories that are characterized by a small-town setting, a limited number of suspects, and a lack of violence.
Crime fiction: Crime fiction is a broad genre that includes mysteries, but also includes other subgenres such as detective stories, legal thrillers, and police procedurals.
Whodunit: A "whodunit" is a mystery in which the identity of the perpetrator is not revealed until the end of the story.
Locked room mysteries: In these mysteries, a crime is committed in a seemingly impossible way, such as a murder in a locked room with no apparent means of entry or exit.
Private investigator stories: These mysteries focus on the cases of a private investigator as they try to solve crimes and uncover the truth
