Let's discuss the mystery novel for a minute or two... [View all]
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In my opinion, there are two types.
The kind that the reader can solve, and the kind where they can't.
My favorite is the one where they can, and after reading a couple thousand of them, my favorite technique is when the writer encourages the reader to make the wrong assumption, and if you want to solve them, you are forced to think outside the box.
The Perry Mason series by Erle Stanley Gardner used this technique in just about every one of his cases.
The Case of the Sulky Girl is a classic example.
Mason's clients are of course accused of murder, but this time there's an eyewitness that sees the murder being committed and can also identify his clients as the perpetrators.
Perry proves them innocent by proving that an assumption everyone makes, including the reader, is wrong.
ESG isn't unique in that department, because it's used extensively everywhere, from when the killer turns out to be the least likely suspect to a million other variations.
In conclusion, if you're gonna write mystery novels that the reader can solve, you've got to be able to think outside the box and exploding assumptions is one good way to do it.
Anyway, what does everyone else think, and what's your favorite kind of mystery novel?
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