A Guess-Proof Mystery Story by O. Henry
The story revolves around a man who is accused of murdering his wife and is subsequently arrested. However, the narrative reveals that he was actually innocent and had been framed by his wife's lover. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that the wife had been having an affair with her husband's business partner, and they had conspired to kill him in order to gain control of his assets. The story is presented as a mystery, but the reader is given clues throughout that suggest the husband's innocence. The narrative builds towards a surprising revelation, which exposes the true culprits behind the crime. Throughout the story, O. Henry employs his signature wit and clever plot twists to keep the reader engaged and guessing until the very end.
By O. Henry · First published 1911 · Genre: Mystery, Crime, Humor · 647 words
First lines
The most popular and recent advertising dodge in literature is the Grand Guess Contest Mystery Story. Everybody is invited to guess how the story will end, at any time before the last chapter is published, and incidentally to buy a paper or subscribe. It is the easiest thing in the world to write a story of mystery that will defy the most ingenious guessers in the country.
To prove it, here is one that we offer $10,000 to any man and $15,000 to any woman who guesses the mystery before the last chapter.
What this Textopian page supports
A Guess-Proof Mystery Story is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1911 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: O. Henry
- Date: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Crime, Humor, Suspense, Drama
- Length: 647 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Guess-Proof Mystery Story by O. Henry
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Mystery — The plot revolves around a murder investigation with multiple suspects and twists, central to the mystery genre.
- Crime — The story involves criminal acts, including murder and deception, which are key elements of crime fiction.
- Humor — The writing style incorporates satirical elements and absurd situations, providing a humorous take on the mystery genre.
- Suspense — The narrative builds tension and uncertainty as the characters navigate the investigation and its implications.
Tags
Mystery · Short Story · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Literary Fiction · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Classic Short Story · Plot Twist · Surprise Ending · Irony