Yes, it is true, that murders in novels are “secret” but they are not mysterious. After all, they both have same etymological root: something that is a secret or where there is no clear explanation. While this may be all fine and good to those who love murders - and the more foul the better - the fact of the matter is that a novel of mystery should be mysterious. The story could be timed out to fit around the advertisements and still finish in time for top-or-bottom of the hour. Thus the murder as mystery was perfect for magazines of Agatha Christie’s day and between the two wars, the radio theaters. Then there is a final wrap-up where everything is revealed. So you have everything you need for three acts and a denouement. First, you have proof positive that an evil act has occurred. If it is a book of mystery there must be a murder central to the plot.Īll this being said it is perfectly understandable why murders have such an appeal. To this day when a writer says he/she is writing a “mystery novel” the immediate assumption is that there is a murder involved. Why, you may ask, should I curse one of the most popular mystery writer of all times - not to be mention one of the best as well? Why? Because she was too good at what she did. Again I say it, “Curse you, Agatha Christie!”
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