Mysteries

A Genre of Literature

What is a mystery?

• Mysteries are often filled with suspense, but they are also puzzles.

• Part of the fun of a mystery is matching wits with the criminal; and figuring out “whodunit.”

Elements of a Mystery

•A crime or unexplained event

Elements of a Mystery

•One or more detectives trying to solve the crime

Elements of a Mystery

•Clues or evidence of what really happened

Elements of a Mystery

•Suspects who might have committed the crime

Elements of a Mystery

•Detective work, such as finding evidence and questioning witnesses and suspects

Elements of a Mystery

•A solution to the mystery – “Whodunit.”

Vocabulary Used in a Mystery

•Crime – an action that is against the law

Vocabulary Used in a Mystery

•Suspect – someone thought to be responsible for committing the crime

Vocabulary Used in Mystery

•Alibi – a claim that a person accused of a crime was somewhere else when the crime was committed

Vocabulary Used in a Mystery

•Detective – one who investigates crimes, usually for or with the police

Vocabulary Used in a Mystery

•Witness – a person who has seen or heard something

Vocabulary Used in a Mystery

•Clue – something that helps solve a problem or mystery

Vocabulary Used in a Mystery

•Evidence – information and facts that help prove something or make you believe something is true

Vocabulary Used in Mystery

•Solution - the answer to a problem; an explanation

•Arrest - to stop or hold someone by the power of law

Vocabulary used in Mystery

Red Herrings – distractions or false clues that lead a detective or reader off track or make it more difficult to solve the mystery

Vocabulary Used in Mystery

Foreshadowing – the author’s use of clues to hint at what might happen later in the story

Suspense – a feeling of anxious uncertainty about the outcome of events in a story

How do you read a mystery?

1) Investigate

2) Ask questions

3) Ask yourself, “What doesn’t fit?”

Look for:

4) Motive5) Opportunity6) Means (i.e. resources)