Definition
Mystery fiction centers on a puzzle, usually a crime or unexplained event, that the reader follows toward resolution. Clues, suspects, and investigation drive the narrative.
Example
A small-town librarian finds a body in the archives and must uncover who had access after hours.
Related terms
Common mistakes
- Withholding fair clues so the solution feels like a trick instead of earned deduction.
- Assuming mystery always means murder; theft, disappearance, and secrets also qualify.