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.
The conventional victim also serves as a contrast to the detective. While the victim is often a victim due to their own weaknesses or mistakes (like being too trusting or having too many secrets), the detective is the one who is supposed to be smart, observant and in control. This contrast helps to build the dynamic of the story, with the detective trying to solve the mystery of the victim's situation while the reader is drawn into the web of the victim's life that led to the crime.
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.
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.
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.
They usually have something valuable. It could be money, property, or a precious heirloom. This valuable item or their wealth is often a key factor that leads to their victimization as it attracts the wrong kind of attention.
Here are some recommendations for unconventional plot novels: 1. "Thriller Paradise": This novel is about a technologically advanced future. The protagonist is a mystery novelist. He enters a holographic experience game, Thriller Paradise, deciphering secrets, looting corpses, headshotting, sowing discord, and so on. He doesn't play by the rules. 2. The Old Bull and the Young Grass, Counter-Strategy: This was a modern romance novel about a wealthy family. The female lead was sharp and mean, but she was tricked and saved by the male lead. The male protagonist was young and was different from the traditional overbearing CEO. He was always a little mischievous. 3. "After signing with AC Milan, I'm on the move." This novel tells the story of a protagonist who traveled to the modern world and signed with AC Milan. He became the king of football through deception. The writing style and plot were first-class, creative, and humorous. 4. "He's Playing with a New Kind of Familiar": This is a light novel/original fantasy novel, which contains evil, funny, relaxed, familiar style, and funny elements. Please note that the novels recommended above may not be completely in line with the routine. The specific content and style may vary according to the author and storyline.
I have two novels that I can recommend to you. The first one is Thriller Paradise. The author is Three Days and Two Sleeps. This novel was about a technologically advanced future. The main character was a mystery novelist. He entered a holographic experience game, a horror paradise. He cracked the mystery, touched the corpse, blew up the head, sowed discord, and so on. The unconventional plot made it impossible to guess what would happen in the next second. The second book was "I Just Don't Play By The Rules", and the author's score was 7%. This novel was about a male protagonist who had a system that could trigger multiple options. He chose the safest option, the salted fish option, and did not take the usual path, going all the way to the end. These two novels have protagonists who don't play by the rules. The plot is interesting and I recommend it to you.
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.
In many detective comics, the first victim could be an unknown person whose death sets off the investigation. Or, it might be someone with a connection to the detective or the villains, adding complexity to the story.
I think the first victim in detective comics was a mysterious figure whose identity was a big mystery at first.