A young girl goes missing from a small, idyllic village. Her best friend decides to take matters into her own hands and start investigating. She finds out that the girl was last seen near an old, abandoned well. As she delves deeper, she uncovers a legend about the well being a portal to another dimension. Could this have something to do with the missing girl? The friend then has to find a way to prove or disprove this theory while also looking for more earthly leads.
One idea could be a small town where people start receiving anonymous threatening letters. The main character, a local journalist, decides to investigate. As they dig deeper, they find that the letters are related to a long - forgotten town secret from decades ago involving a powerful family who will do anything to keep it buried.
One common element is the initial disappearance. This sets the whole story in motion. For example, someone leaving for work and not arriving. Another is the search. Family, friends or the police start looking everywhere. There's also often a clue that leads to the discovery. Like a piece of clothing or a witness account.
Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Lily. One day, she went for a walk in the forest and never returned. Her family searched everywhere. Days passed, and they put up posters all over town. Then, a hiker found a ribbon that Lily had been wearing near a hidden cave. Inside the cave, they found Lily, scared but alive. She had lost her way and was too frightened to move far from the spot.
One classic is 'Agatha Christie's 'The Mystery of the Blue Train'. It involves the disappearance of a wealthy woman on a train journey. Another is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, which has a complex plot around a missing wife. And then there's 'In the Woods' by Tana French, where a detective tries to solve the mystery of a missing child from years ago.
Well, first, you need to establish a strong motive for the disappearance. It could be a crime, a personal quest, or something unexpected. Then, build up the tension by showing the impact on the people left behind. Also, throw in some red herrings to keep the readers guessing.
The old family heirloom, a golden locket, vanished one day. Grandma was heartbroken. The house had been locked, and only family members were present. Suspicions fell on the young nephew who had always been interested in shiny things. But when his room was searched, nothing was found. Then, the maid remembered seeing the cat playing with something shiny in the attic. They rushed to the attic and found the locket under a pile of old rags. The cat had dragged it there while everyone was distracted during a family gathering.
Do you have any questions about the missing person notice? I can try my best to answer your questions.
One idea could be a missing heirloom. The story could start with an old family's most prized possession disappearing overnight. The main character, a young detective, could be hired to solve the mystery. He or she then discovers strange footprints around the scene and some cryptic notes left behind.
A journalist starts receiving anonymous tips about a major political scandal. She digs deeper and realizes that the truth is much more complex and dangerous than she thought. There are powerful forces trying to stop her from uncovering the full story, and she has to use her wits and courage to keep going. The mystery could involve false leads, double - agents, and a web of lies.
Authors often start with a sudden disappearance. For example, in 'Gone Girl', the wife just vanishes without a trace. They also use red herrings. They introduce false leads that misdirect the reader and the characters in the story. In many such fictions, the description of the missing person's life before they disappeared is also used to build suspense. If the person had secrets or a complex life, it makes the reader wonder if those factors led to their disappearance.