Well, it's a combination of things. The survival aspect makes you feel like you're right there with the characters, trying to figure out how to stay alive. It makes you think about basic human needs and instincts. The mystery part, on the other hand, is like a puzzle. It could be a mystery about the cause of the disaster that led to the survival situation, or it could be something more supernatural. And the way the authors build the suspense, gradually revealing clues and upping the stakes, makes these novels impossible to put down.
The sense of danger. In a fantasy survival novel, if there's no real threat to the characters, it's not engaging. For example, in 'The Hunger Games', the constant threat of death from other tributes and the Capitol keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
The intense plot and well-developed characters usually make it engaging. You feel for the characters as they struggle to survive.
The plot and character development. A good alien survival comic has an exciting and unpredictable plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters need to be relatable and have depth to make you care about their fate.
Well, for a mystery story to be engaging, it needs a compelling mystery that's not too easy to solve. Also, interesting and diverse characters can make you care about what happens. Plus, a well-paced narrative that builds suspense is crucial.
A good comic mystery usually has interesting characters, a complex plot, and unexpected twists.
A sense of danger. If players don't feel constantly threatened in the story, it won't be engaging. For example, in 'Dead by Daylight', the survivors are always at risk of being caught by the killer. Also, mystery is key. In 'The Forest', the mystery of what happened on the island and the existence of the mutants keeps players interested. They want to uncover the secrets.
The legal intrigue. In many of these novels, the legal procedures and jargon are not just filler but an important part of the mystery. For instance, in 'A Time to Kill' by John Grisham, the trial scenes are intense. The lawyers have to use the law to their advantage, find loopholes, or present evidence in a way that will sway the jury. This combination of legal drama and mystery makes these novels so engaging as readers get to learn about the legal world while also trying to solve the mystery.
A good crime mystery novel often has a complex plot with unexpected twists and turns. It keeps you guessing until the end.
An engaging short mystery story often has a limited number of suspects, clear motives, and a setting that adds to the suspense. The resolution should be satisfying and not too predictable.
The element of surprise. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry, the ending is unexpected. The couple sacrifices their most precious possessions for each other, only to find out that the gifts they bought are now useless in a way, but it shows their deep love in a mysterious and heartwarming way.