The Technique of the Mystery Story

Carolyn Wells’ The Technique of the Mystery Story is a comprehensive guide to writing mystery stories. It covers all aspects of the genre, from the basics of plot structure and character development to the finer points of suspense and surprise. Wells provides detailed advice on how to create believable characters, craft compelling plots, and build suspense. She also offers tips on how to write effective dialogue and create believable settings. The book also includes a selection of classic mystery stories to illustrate the techniques discussed. The Technique of the Mystery Story is an invaluable resource for aspiring mystery writers.

By Carolyn Wells · First published 1913 · Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Thriller · 60 chapters · 93,431 words

First lines

[Several false notions which have been so often exploited as to command belief, the young writer should strive to correct.]

What this Textopian page supports

The Technique of the Mystery Story is listed on Textopian as an essay by Carolyn Wells, dated 1913 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Essay
• Author: Carolyn Wells
• Date: 1913 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Mystery, Crime Fiction, Thriller, Literary Fiction
• Length: 93,431 words
• Structure: 122 chapters, 2,956 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for The Technique of the Mystery Story by Carolyn Wells
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

• What should a reader notice first when entering The Technique of the Mystery Story?
• How does this essay by Carolyn Wells fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

• The Puzzler B by Rudyard Kipling
• The Magic Casket by R. Austin Freeman
• The Boss Of Taroomba by E. W. Hornung
• The Excursion Boat by Carolyn Wells
• A Serious Question by Carolyn Wells
• Inside The Lines by Earl Derr Biggers

Genres

• Mystery — The title of the book is 'The Technique of the Mystery Story', indicating that the book is about the genre of mystery.
• Crime Fiction — Mystery stories often involve crime, so crime fiction is a relevant genre for this book.
• Thriller — Mystery stories often involve suspense and tension, so thriller is a relevant genre for this book.
• Literary Fiction — Carolyn Wells is a well-known author, so literary fiction is a relevant genre for this book.

Tags

mystery · writing · technique · fiction · literature · storytelling · plot · character development · suspense · narrative · detective · crime

Contents

• Chapter 1: The "trace" Fallacy
• Chapter 1: Some Original Traits
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 1: The Use of Coincidences
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 1: Snow and Rain
• Chapter 1: The Plot is the Story
• Chapter 1: Sherlock Holmes' Method
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 1: Some Notable Riddle Stories
• Chapter 1: Some Early Detective Portraits
• Chapter 1: The Victim
• Chapter 1: The Handling of the Crime
• Chapter 1: The Detectives of Poe, Doyle, and Gaboriau
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 1: Ratiocination in Early Detective Stories
• Chapter 1: Murder Considered in the Abstract
• Chapter 1: The Motive
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 1: Length
• Chapter 1: The Omnipresence of Footprints
• Chapter 1: Tabulated Clues
• Chapter 1: The Coroner
• Chapter 1: What is a Detective Story
• Chapter 2: Worn-out Devices
• Chapter 2: Two Unique Detectives
• Chapter 2: The Search for Clues
• Chapter 2: Individuality of These Detectives
• Chapter 2: Some Particularly Hackneyed Devices
• Chapter 2: Murder as a Fine Art
• Chapter 2: The Destruction of Evidence
• Chapter 2: The Criminal
• Chapter 2: A Working Classification
• Chapter 2: The Use of Melodrama
• Chapter 2: The Nature of the Riddle Story and Its Types
• Chapter 2: Ancient Mystery Tales
• Chapter 2: General Qualities of the Detective Story
• Chapter 2: Lecoq's Method
• Chapter 2: Some More Modern Portraits
• Chapter 2: The Real Detective and His Work
• Chapter 2: Deduction Used in Every-day Life
• Chapter 2: Constructing the Plot
• Chapter 2: The Short-story and the Novel
• Chapter 2: Inquisition Into the Curious is Universal
• Chapter 2: Rise of the Detective Story
• Chapter 2: The Inquest
• Chapter 2: The Rightful Place of the Mystery Story in Fiction
• Chapter 2: Other Miraculous Discoveries
• Chapter 3: Faulty Portrayal of the Criminal
• Chapter 3: Remarkable Deductions Front Footprints
• Chapter 3: The Murder Theme
• Chapter 3: False Hypotheses
• Chapter 3: The Mystery Story Considered as Art
• Chapter 3: The Witnesses
• Chapter 3: The Real Sherlock Holmes
• Chapter 3: Dullness
• Chapter 3: Other Methods
• Chapter 3: Correctness

More by Carolyn Wells

• The White Alley (1915)
• Rubáiyát of a Motor Car (1906)
• The Gold Bag (1906)
• Patty's Butterfly Days (1927)
• Marjories's Vacation (1920)
• Raspberry Jam (1924)
• Patty's Suitors (1920)
• Patty in Paris (1920)
• All works by Carolyn Wells