Mystery

A survey of the mystery fiction genre, from its detective-story origins and puzzle-solving influences to the famous authors--such as Agatha Christie--whose works have defined the genre over time.

Part of the Stories Well Told series

Every story has its own characters, themes, and plot. But what sets a horror story apart from a romance, or a science fiction story apart from a mystery? Stories Well Told charts the histories of four popular forms of genre fiction, examining their key characteristics, detailing classic literary examples and masters, describing archetypal characters, and introducing writers at work in the genre today. An emphasis on craft and structure will give budding fiction writers insight into how they might become the great storytellers of tomorrow.