Well - developed characters are also important. In a mystery book like 'The Maltese Falcon', the characters, such as Sam Spade, are complex and have their own motives and secrets. Their interactions add to the mystery and keep the story going. Also, a good mystery book usually has a sense of suspense. It makes the reader keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. This is often achieved through things like cliffhangers at the end of chapters.
A good fiction mystery book often has an intriguing plot. There should be a central mystery that hooks the reader from the start, like a murder or a disappearance. For example, in 'Sherlock Holmes' stories, the mysteries are always very captivating.
A good mystery fiction book often has a complex plot. There are usually multiple clues and red herrings that keep the reader guessing. For example, in 'The Hound of the Baskervilles', Doyle uses the moors and the legend of the hound as both a clue and a red herring.
Good fiction mystery books tend to have unexpected twists. They might lead you to believe one thing, and then suddenly change the direction of the story. Take 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' by Agatha Christie. The ending is a complete shocker. Another aspect is the setting. A well - crafted setting, like the spooky old mansion in 'The Haunting of Hill House', can enhance the mystery and create an atmosphere of unease.
A good one often has well - developed characters. In a mystery with a love story, the characters' personalities are shaped by both the mystery they're involved in and their love interests. For example, in 'The Time Traveler's Wife', Henry's time - traveling ability affects his relationship with Clare, and their love story is intertwined with the mystery of his condition. Also, a good plot with unexpected twists is key. The mystery should keep readers guessing, and the love story should have its own arc, like in 'Rebecca' where the new wife is haunted by the mystery of the first wife while also dealing with her relationship with her husband.
Mystery fiction often has an element of suspense. It usually involves a crime or a puzzling situation that needs to be solved. There are often detectives, either professional or amateur, who are on a quest to uncover the truth. For example, in Sherlock Holmes stories, Holmes uses his sharp intellect and deductive reasoning to solve complex mysteries.
Typical characteristics of mystery fiction include an intriguing mystery or crime at the core. There is often a sense of suspense that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. And a detective or an amateur sleuth who tries to solve the mystery through clues and logical reasoning.
One characteristic is an enigma or a central mystery. For example, in 'Sherlock Holmes' stories, there's always a puzzling crime to solve. Another is the presence of clues. These can be subtle, like a strange mark on the floor. Also, there's often a detective figure, who is intelligent and observant, using logic to piece together the mystery.
Good realistic fiction mystery books often have well - crafted characters. For example, in 'The Silent Patient' by Alex Michaelides, the main characters are complex and their motives are not always clear at first, which adds to the mystery.
One characteristic is a clever plot twist. In a short mystery, like 'Lamb to the Slaughter', the unexpected way the woman gets away with murder is a great plot twist. Another is the use of atmosphere. A spooky or tense atmosphere can enhance the mystery. For example, in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the description of the old man's room and the narrator's paranoia create a very tense atmosphere. And the clues should be well - placed. They can't be too obvious or too hard to find, just like in 'The Cask of Amontillado' where the hints about the narrator's plan are subtly given.
Good fiction murder mystery books typically feature a mystery that is not too easy to solve. If it's too obvious, it's not interesting. In books like 'Murder on the Orient Express', Agatha Christie weaves a web of mystery that challenges the reader. They also often have a well - developed setting. A small, gossip - filled town in a mystery can be as important as a character. It gives context to the murders. Moreover, the characters' motives need to be believable. In 'The Silence of the Lambs', the motives of the serial killer are disturbing but they make sense within the context of the story.
One characteristic is the ability to make the reader question what they know about science and reality. In books like 'Blindsight', it challenges our understanding of consciousness and intelligence. Good ones also tend to have complex characters. These characters are driven by the need to solve the mystery, whether it's about a strange phenomenon or a missing piece of technology. And they often have a setting that is both science - fictional and mysterious, like the post - apocalyptic world in 'Snow Crash' that hides many secrets.