The Technique of the Mystery Story

Name: The Technique of the Mystery Story
Author: Carolyn Wells

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

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

The Technique of the Mystery Story

Contents

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