Often, they play with the reader's perception. The authors use misdirection to make the reader think one thing while the truth is something else entirely. This keeps the reader guessing until the very end, which is what makes these short mystery stories so engaging.
Characteristics include concise yet vivid descriptions. Since they are short, they need to paint a clear picture in just a few words. In 'The Speckled Band', Doyle describes the strange circumstances and the menacing presence effectively. Another characteristic is the ability to engage the reader quickly. They don't have a long build - up like some novels. 'The Cask of Amontillado' grabs you right from the start with its strange invitation. And they often leave a lasting impression. Even though they are short, stories like 'A Jury of Her Peers' stay with you long after you've read them because of their unique take on mystery and human nature.
Well, they typically have a mystery or a problem that needs to be solved. In 'The Adventure of the Speckled Band', there's the mystery of the strange whistling and the girl's endangerment. Atmosphere is important too. Stories like 'The Cask of Amontillado' create a very spooky and tense atmosphere that draws you in. And many of the best short mystery stories play with the reader's perception. They might mislead you a bit at first, like in 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' where you're not sure which outcome is the correct one.
Well, first, they usually have a strong mystery plot. There's often a central enigma like a missing person or a strange event that needs to be solved. Second, the romance aspect adds an emotional depth. The relationship between the characters can be full of tension, from the initial attraction to the possible conflicts. For example, in 'Gone Girl', the relationship between Nick and Amy is full of mystery and the love - hate dynamic makes it really engaging. Third, they often have a unique setting that helps build the mystery and romance, like the small town in 'The Girl on the Train'.
One characteristic is a sense of intrigue. They often start with a strange event or situation, like a sudden disappearance or an unexplained death. For example, in many short mystery stories, the opening scene hooks you right away.
They are concise. For example, they can quickly set a simple scene like 'A fish in a pond wanted to see the ocean.' without much detail.
They leave a lot to the imagination. Consider 'The empty swing moved by itself.' It doesn't explain why, and that's what makes it so terrifying. Your mind fills in the blanks with all kinds of horrible possibilities, and that's the power of very very short horror stories.
They often have a strong central theme. For example, many deal with human nature, like kindness or greed. The short length forces the authors to focus on the key elements of the story and make every word count. Also, they are diverse in terms of genre, ranging from love stories to horror stories.
They are likely to be concise. With very little space, they have to convey a clear message or tell a complete story arc quickly. For example, they might focus on one key event or emotion.
They probably have engaging plots. Since they are short stories, they need to grab the reader's attention quickly. So, there could be unexpected twists and turns, like in a mystery - themed story where the solution is not what you initially expect. In addition, the use of vivid language is common. With limited space, the authors need to create a vivid world. They might use unique descriptions of settings and characters to make them come alive in the reader's mind. This helps to make the short story memorable despite its brevity.
The short stories in 'best 2019 short stories' may also be known for their ability to evoke strong emotions in a limited number of words. They can make you feel joy, sadness, or surprise in just a few pages. Take a story about a child's first encounter with loss. It can be so poignant that it stays with you long after you've finished reading, even though it's a short piece.