researching the genre

 A good murder mystery should include the following elements;

The Crime

Any murder mystery revolves around murder. It could happen before the book starts, but most typically the reader sees it right at the start. The crime scene is created by the murderer, and the murderer leaves there whatever evidence they think would help the detective in his investigation. Finding out who killed the victim, how he was killed, and why is the main focus of the remaining chapters.

The Killer

Even if the murderer is not identified until the very end of the book, they are nonetheless significant figures. He should be a character the reader has grown to know during the narrative yet is not immediately suspicious of. The name of the murderer should come as a surprise to the reader, but after going over the clues, the villain's identity should make sense.

The Sufferer

The victim frequently passes away early on in the book, and the reader learns about him through flashbacks or through the testimonies of his friends or neighbours. Since this is frequently the key to the killing's motivation, it is crucial for both the reader and the detective to understand as much as they can about the victim. The murderer has frequently been apprehended thanks to the motive.

The Investigator

A private investigator or an amateur detective with a colourful personality is a common element of murder mysteries. He is a recurring character who commonly appears in a series. This group includes characters like Ms Marple, Sherlock Holmes, and Hercule Poirot from Agatha Christie. Because they admire the concept of a regular person solving a crime, readers relate with amateur sleuths. To avoid the amateur's involvement appearing absurd, the author must provide a compelling cause for them to be involved in a murder investigation.

The Clues

A murder mystery needs to offer hints that the reader and detective can use to solve the case. Additionally, the accomplished mystery writer uses red herrings. The term derives from an antiquated method of diverting hunting dogs from the scent they were pursuing by using a species of fish called a red herring. A red herring in a murder investigation may look like a clue but actually leads the investigator in the wrong direction. The crime scene, the murder weapon, the victim, and the witnesses all provide the detective with hints. To avoid the reader feeling duped, the author should provide all hints.

Deception and antics

Most mystery book readers anticipate one or more plot twists. Almost any component of the plot can experience a twist. It could turn out that the murder weapon was not the real one. Even if they didn't commit the crime, a person may confess to it. The biggest surprise usually comes at the very end, when the reader least expects it turns out to be the murderer.