Murder is a very common affair in detective fiction. Detectives are often called upon to solve the mystery of a killing. Theft is another one, like the theft of valuable jewels or important documents.
In detective fiction, affairs such as disappearances are quite frequent. A person may vanish without a trace, and the detective has to figure out what happened. Also, blackmail affairs occur, where someone tries to extort money or something else from another character by threatening to expose a secret.
The affairs create mystery. For example, a murder affair makes the readers wonder who the killer is and what the motive could be. This mystery drives the plot forward as the detective tries to solve it.
The common elements often include a mystery or crime to be solved. There's usually a detective, either professional or amateur. Clues are scattered throughout the story for the detective to find and piece together. And there's often a list of suspects, each with their own motives and alibis.
Love and lust is also a prevalent theme. There is often a blurring of the lines between true love and pure physical attraction. In 'The Great Gatsby', Daisy and Gatsby's relationship seems to be a mix of both. Gatsby is in love with the idea of Daisy from his past, and there is a strong element of lust in their connection as well.
One common theme is the search for true love or passion. In many of these books, characters in unhappy marriages feel a lack of emotional or physical connection, so they look for it elsewhere through affairs. For example, in 'Madame Bovary', Emma is constantly seeking the grand passion she reads about in novels.
One common theme is the mystery itself. There's always a puzzle to be solved, like a murder or a disappearance. Another theme is the detective's pursuit of justice. Detectives in these stories are often driven by a sense of right and wrong. Also, deception is a big theme. There are usually many lies and false leads that the detective has to sift through to get to the truth.
One common stereotype is the brilliant but eccentric detective. They often have odd habits like Sherlock Holmes and his violin playing or drug use. Another is the bumbling police officer who needs the detective's help to solve the case. Also, the femme fatale character is a stereotype. She is often a beautiful and alluring woman who may be involved in the crime or lead the detective astray.
Well, the unreliable narrator can be a trope in detective fiction. Sometimes the person telling the story might be hiding something or be mistaken, which adds an extra layer of mystery. Then there's the idea of the detective having a sidekick, like Watson to Holmes. This sidekick often serves as the normal person through whose eyes we can better understand the detective's extraordinary abilities. And the use of forensic evidence, which has become more and more prominent over the years, is also a trope.
Well, mystery is a fundamental theme. It involves creating an enigma that the detective has to solve. Also, there's often the theme of morality. Detectives sometimes face moral dilemmas in the course of their investigations. Additionally, the theme of deception can be seen as many characters in detective fiction may be hiding something or lying.
One common technique is the use of red herrings. These are false clues that mislead the reader and the detective within the story. For example, a character may act suspiciously but in the end have no real connection to the crime.
One common trait is the presence of a detective, either professional or amateur. This character is usually intelligent and observant, like Sherlock Holmes. Another trait is a mysterious crime or problem to be solved. It often involves elements of suspense and intrigue, keeping the readers guessing until the end. Also, there are usually clues scattered throughout the story that the detective must piece together to solve the case.