Have you ever wanted to write a detective novel? If so, you might be wondering what makes a detective story. Here are some characteristics of detective stories and ways to subvert them. Read on to learn more about the most famous detectives. And don’t forget to check out our list of best detective books! It’s sure to help you pick the perfect mystery to read! The Detective genre is not as common as it once was, but it’s still a fun and popular genre.
Characteristics of a detective story
A detective story is a classic genre of fiction with many characteristics. Often the central crime is an unusual or unsolved one, and the plot is usually centered on the detective’s investigation of the crimes. Characters from various law enforcement agencies are also a regular feature. The detective’s abilities to spot patterns and analyze evidence allow him to solve a case. The ending of the story is typically startling, revealing the culprit.
Common tropes in detective stories
Detective fiction is often filled with a variety of common tropes. For example, a detective can be struggling with drugs or mental illness. Inexperience and naivete are often factors in solving cases. But a character’s struggle to redeem himself or herself is also an important aspect of a detective story. Some writers assume that the worse the character is, the better. But readers often relate to characters who struggle to be better than they are.
Ways to subvert them
There are many ways to subvert the classic tropes of detective books, such as the femme fatale walking into the private investigator’s office. These tropes can be easily built on and subverted, as long as writers think outside the box. Here are three ways to subvert a classic detective book trope:
Famous detectives
There are many famous detectives in detective books. Raymond Chandler’s PI Philip Marlowe and his partner, Juniper Song, have influenced detective fiction for decades. The two have even been the subjects of movies. Readers of crime fiction will probably recognize the names of these two detectives, but they don’t always look like the typical mystery hero. Below are some of the most memorable detective characters in detective books.
Sources of detective stories
One of the most common sources of detective stories in books is the Edgar Allan Poe novel In a Bamboo Grove. This novel is set during feudal Japan and relates the violent death of a young samurai and the conflicting testimonies of his witnesses. This book is a precursor to the modern detective novel and was famously adapted into a movie by Akira Kurosawa.