The victim in detective novels is typically used to drive the story forward. They are the starting point of the mystery. Their characteristics, such as their occupation, social status, and relationships, all play important roles. A victim who is a wealthy businessperson may have many enemies due to business rivalries, and this gives the detective a wide range of suspects to consider. Their death or disappearance sets off a chain of events that the detective must unravel.
In detective novels, the victim can be portrayed in various ways. Sometimes they are presented as innocent and blameless, which immediately evokes sympathy from the readers. Their backstories might be gradually revealed to show that they were ordinary people caught in unfortunate circumstances.
The victim is often portrayed as vulnerable. They might be in the wrong place at the wrong time or have a weakness that is exploited by the criminal.
Occasionally, the victim may be the target of blackmail or extortion in detective novels. They might be threatened with the exposure of their secrets, and if they resist, they end up in a bad situation. This type of plot often reveals a lot about the victim's past and the seedy underbelly of the fictional world they inhabit.
The victim is the starting point of the plot. Their death or disappearance is what the detective has to solve. It creates the mystery that drives the whole story.
Often, it could be a wealthy person. In many detective novels, the rich are common victims. Their wealth makes them targets for various motives like greed or envy.
They are often portrayed as highly perceptive. They notice small details that male characters might overlook. For instance, in some detective stories, a woman detective might notice a particular piece of jewelry or a change in a suspect's appearance that turns out to be crucial to solving the case.
Butlers can be depicted as either loyal or duplicitous. Some are shown as being extremely loyal to their employers, going to great lengths to protect them and their property. However, others may be hiding a dark side, using their position of trust to further their own, often nefarious, ends.
Forensic science in detective fiction is depicted in a way that combines scientific facts with a bit of fictional exaggeration. While real - life forensic science has its limitations, in detective novels, it can seem all - knowing. It is used to drive the plot forward, as detectives rely on forensic findings to make their next moves. For instance, ballistics reports can accurately tell which gun fired a bullet and who might have held it, leading to the arrest of the culprit.
The victim's death or situation is what kicks off the plot. It sets the mystery in motion. For example, when a victim is found dead in a locked room, it immediately creates questions that the detective has to answer.
Conventional victims in detective novels are sometimes people who seem to have secrets. Maybe they are involved in something illegal or unethical, and that's why they end up as victims. Their secrets also add to the complexity of the investigation as the detective tries to uncover not only the murderer but also the victim's hidden life.
Typically, the conventional victim is not overly powerful or well - protected. They are usually an ordinary person in a vulnerable position. This could be a lonely old lady living alone, or a young person new to the city without many friends or resources. Their vulnerability makes it easier for the perpetrator to carry out the crime against them.