Mystery Writing Mastery Q&A: Fiction Editor Answers All Your Burning Questions
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Mystery Writing Mastery Q&A: Fiction Editor Answers All Your Burning Questions


Mystery Writing Mastery Q&A - Fiction Editor Answers All Your Burning Questions, on The Writer's Cabin

Mystery Writing Q&A


You should all know by now that I have been editing fiction for a long time. Well, maybe you don't know—maybe Google just brought you here for the first time, in which case…now you know.


Anyway, I edit a wide range of fiction genres, but mystery is so popular to read and write that much of my editing time has been spent fixing up mystery novels.


I'm actually doing a developmental edit on one as we speak.


And this client is going to have a lot of questions for me as they always do. Lots of aspiring mystery writers have a lot of questions. Mystery can be a tricky genre to get right.


So, in this Q&A style article, I will provide short answers to those mystery writing questions and direct you to further information if you need it.


I've categorized the questions into various aspects of mystery writing, covering topics from the fundamental elements that make up great mystery to the intricacies of character development, plot construction, and other common issues.

If you have questions about writing mysteries, the answer is probably here. If it's not, add your question in the comment section, and I will answer it there.

Sherlock Holmes thinking on a case - Image made with Leonardo.ai
Image made with Leonardo.ai

Contents:




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Mystery Writing Mastery Q&A - Getting Started with Mystery heading image

Getting Started with Mystery Writing


How do you write a good mystery?


A great mystery starts with a captivating premise that poses a question or questions.

You then write well-defined characters who will actively work toward finding the solution to the questions or keeping them unanswered. These are your protagonist, villain, and suspects.

Develop a clear structure with an introduction to the crime, buildup, climax, and resolution. Take as many opportunities to build suspense as you can around the questions using clues and misdirection strategically throughout.


Reveal the solution gradually, maintaining intrigue.


Avoid clichés and ensure logical consistency. As an editor, I have to mention to polish your work. Make every word count. Mysteries must be concise to maintain tension; nothing should be without purpose.


Successful mysteries blend engaging characters, a strong plot, and a sense of suspense to keep readers guessing until the conclusion that surprises and satisfies them.


Sherlock meets the culprit - Image made with Leonardo.ai
Image made with Leonardo.ai

Is mystery hard to write?


Everything can be hard to write, but mystery is tricky in its own specific ways.

It requires a lot of brutality on your part to "kill your darlings" and cut your story to shreds to keep the narrative efficient and on track. It also takes a lot of planning to ensure the puzzles are consistent and logical.


Mystery authors must juggle intricate plots, create believable characters (often skilled in areas beyond the authors' knowledge), and maintain non-stop suspense.


It can also be difficult to avoid clichés and create something truly unique because it is such a saturated market. However, reading widely in the genre can mitigate that.


Mystery writing can be demanding, but with dedication, practice, and a passion for the genre, you can easily overcome these challenges and write just like anything else.


What traits do great mystery writers have in common?


All great mystery writers possess a few key traits that allow for their success:

  1. A keen sense of observation allows them to notice subtle details and hidden clues.

  2. They excel at planning and outlining.

  3. They take their time to create complex, relatable characters that readers can invest in.

  4. They are big-picture thinkers who can see the whole puzzle at once.

  5. They have patience and the dedication to keep refining their work.

  6. They read widely and know their genre deeply.

  7. The have impeccable research skills, leaving no stone unturned and nothing just "good enough."

  8. They are critical thinkers

  9. They are disciplined

  10. They're a bit weird.


Okay, that last one might not be a universal mystery writer trait, but it felt wrong with only 9.


Sherlock Holmes looking for clues - Image made with Leonardo.ai
Image made with Leonardo.ai

How do you start a mystery?


When starting your mystery, you need to grab your reader's attention right away, and then the hard part: hold onto it.


Finding the hook of your mystery story is both easy and not easy. You already know that a good mystery presents the reader with a question. Your hook is also precisely that. This is where you will set up the central question that, by the end of the first scene, should be clear in their mind.

Who is Jane Doe? Who murdered Ben? What happened in that room? Etc.

A good start to a mystery also establishes the setting and creates an atmosphere. It introduces a key character, even if ominously, like seeing the villain commit the crime but not revealing who or where they are.


A strong start sets the tone for your novel and compels readers to dig deeper into the mystery you are about to unravel.

How do you come up with a good mystery plot?


A good mystery plot is creative and well-structured. Both are necessary.


Start by brainstorming some ideas. Think of scenarios, crimes, people, and unique blends of ideas. Anything.


Consider "what if" questions and explore unusual situations or motives, no matter how out-there they appear at this stage.


Once you have your grand ideas, you must outline to strategically place twists, red herrings, and hidden clues. Decide on a structure that will suit your novel and ensure that everything you place on it has logic and consistency.

This way, you can avoid writing yourself into a contrived solution.


Draw inspiration from everyday situations, real-life events, and unique settings to enrich your plot.


And most importantly, stay persistent—refine, refine, refine—even before you start writing.

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How do you research a mystery novel?


Research is the backbone of any good mystery novel—a genre that tends to demand a lot more research than others.

Before I get into researching police procedures and forensic technologies, I have to tell you that you must start by immersing yourself in the genre. Read widely to understand the different subgenres, writing styles, and the evolution of mystery over time.



This is the best way to strengthen yourself over the long run.

Familiarize yourself with celebrated authors and learn from their techniques. Also, be critical. What did they do that worked? What didn't work so well? Can you do it better?


Beyond that, you must dive deep into the real-world resources related to your subject. Libraries (and librarians are great), interview experts, or attend seminars.


There are now AI tools that can help you get a head start on research like ChatGPT, but always be sure to double-check the facts; it's definitely not a perfect technology.


Keep well-organized notes on everything you research, and don't forget to write down where you got something from. Study up on police procedures in your specific area, forensics, and historical facts, and make sure you get some first-hand information wherever you can.


The depth of your research will underpin the credibility and authenticity of your novel, making it a better experience for readers.


Mystery Writing Mastery Q&A - Elements of Mystery heading image

Elements of a Mystery


What are the most important characteristics of a mystery?


This is a tough question that really depends on perspective. But I will tell you the three essential elements of a mystery which, without, you might still have a good story, but it can't be considered a mystery.

These are:

  1. Suspense—a need in the reader to find out what will happen next.

  2. A central mystery or question. An event or object/subject that needs to be uncovered through the narrative. Further, this enigma needs to be the purpose of the story, not just an element of it.

  3. Have an element of surprise. In other words, the story needs to be unpredictable and end with a satisfying payoff.


What is a red herring in a mystery?


A red herring is a deceptive element deliberately introduced to mislead readers and divert their attention from the solution or culprit.


These often come in the form of false leads, a suspicious character, an event that seems more significant than it is, and similar misdirections.


Red herrings are used to heighten suspense and challenge the reader, and also to sow the seeds of doubt and make the story less predictable.



Sherlock confronts Mortiarty - Image made with Leonardo.ai
Image made with Leonardo.ai

What are tropes in mystery?


The most common tropes in mystery can be a long list. I'll try and boil it down to the tropes and cliches that should probably be avoided or have been played out.


Here is a list of bad tropes and clichés to avoid in mystery:

  1. It was all a dream

  2. Conveniently destroyed or lost evidence

  3. Solving the plot through a coincidence

  4. The villain reveals his entire plan when caught

  5. The detective gets a single, final brilliant thought that solves the case

  6. A bumbling and inept police force

  7. The butler did it

  8. The evil twin twist

  9. The secret passage or hidden room

  10. The cardboard villain with no motivation other than being bad to the bone

  11. The unreliable narrator is actually the culprit

  12. We saw a character "die," but they are revealed to have faked it and are the culprit

  13. The long-lost sibling or relative antagonist

  14. A perfectly timed and contrived confession

  15. The hero conveniently finds evidence overlooked by the professionals


I could go on and on, but those ones are pretty well-known and played out tropes of the genre.


I should also point out that there are bad tropes, and there are good tropes. Just because something has become a staple of the genre does not mean it is automatically a wrong move for your story.

Some tropes are well-loved and for good reason, like the unlikely suspects, the hardboiled and jaded veteran detective, the sidekick, the femme fatale, the MacGuffin, etc.


Though these tropes can easily feel tired, they can also be valuable additions to the right story. Creativity and self-awareness are key.


What are the mystery subgenres?

The most popular mystery subgenres include:

  • Cozy mystery

  • Police procedural

  • Historical mystery

  • Noir

  • Hardboiled

  • Paranormal mystery

  • Legal mystery

  • Medical mystery

  • Amateur sleuth


If you would like a deeper explanation of these subgenres and get examples of each, go to my article on the subject: Choosing the Right Niche: Navigating the Mystery Subgenres for Authors

Mystery Writing Mastery Q&A - Characters and POV heading image

Character and Point of View


How many characters should be in a mystery?


The number of characters in a mystery can vary widely depending on the complexity of your story.


However, there are a few key roles to consider:

  1. Protagonist/Detective: The central character who investigates the mystery.

  2. Antagonist/Culprit: The person responsible for the crime or mystery.

  3. Victim: The character whose situation or death initiates the mystery.

  4. Supporting Characters: These can include sidekicks, witnesses, potential suspects, and other individuals who will either help or hinder the investigation.


The number of characters you choose will also depend on your target audience and subgenre. For instance, a cozy mystery directed to an elderly audience may be better off with a small cast of characters, while a police procedural or complex thriller could involve a large cast of characters.


The key is to strike a balance where each character serves a purpose, contributes to the plot, and adds depth to the story without overwhelming your readers or confusing them.

What is the best POV for a mystery?


The best POV for a mystery depends on your storytelling goals and the atmosphere you want to create. There really is no "best" POV for any story.


But some POVs are better than others for certain goals:

  1. 1st Person: This POV provides an intimate view into the detective's or protagonist's thoughts and experiences, creating a strong connection with the reader. It can heighten suspense and help readers feel like they are solving the mystery alongside the narrator.

  2. 3rd Person: This POV allows you to explore multiple character's thoughts and actions, providing a more comprehensive view of the mystery. It can also allow you to better control the flow of information to the reader and make misdirection easier.

  3. Omniscient: An omniscient narrator has knowledge of all characters and events. This can be very effective for telling mysteries with many characters, subplots, and layers. It will often distance the reader from the characters, though it can be great for creating an overarching atmosphere.


Your choice of POV is a very important decision that should not be taken lightly. It needs to align with the complexity of your story and the level of intimacy or detachment you want to create between the reader and your character.


Whatever you choose, make sure you stay consistent with it.


Sherlock and Watson chase a suspect through the streets of London - Image made with Leonardo.ai
Image made with Leonardo.ai

How many suspects should I have in a mystery?


Again, it depends.


The ideal number of suspects is however many you need to tell a great story in the space you have to tell it.


A shorter, cozy mystery might require that you stick to around three to five potential culprits so you can keep the focus on character development and dynamics.


A more traditional mystery might allow for a larger cast, like five to seven suspects, to create a more intricate puzzle for readers to solve.


It all depends on your goals for the story. Feel free to write as many as you want, but be prepared to cut the character if it doesn't serve the overall purpose. If a character can be removed easily without totally destroying the story, then cut them.

Mystery Writing Mastery Q&A - Crafting a Compelling Mystery heading image

Crafting a Compelling Mystery


What to avoid in mystery writing?


I have written a post dedicated to this question that you can read here: Are These Mystery Writing Mistakes Sabotaging Your Success?


But I will give you a list of the top 5 biggest mistakes to avoid and include one that I forgot to mention in that article:

  1. Underestimating your reader's intelligence.

  2. Flat characters without adequate motivation.

  3. Lack of suspense or killing suspense by revealing the culprit too early.

  4. Untidy resolution that fails to satisfy and sufficiently tie up loose ends.

  5. Inconsistent logic, plot holes, implausible scenarios, coincidences, etc.

How do you leave clues in a mystery?

Leaving and hiding clues is pretty much crucial to write a good mystery.

Here are some tips for leaving clues:

  • Subtlety is key. They need to be seamlessly integrated into the narrative, often in plain sight but not overly obvious. They can be a character's behavior, an object, or even a piece of dialogue.

  • Characters' reactions to events or information can provide indirect clues (just make sure they are good actors, not melodramatic B-movie actors)

  • Use foreshadowing to give early hints in a certain direction that eventually lead to the true solution.

  • Use symbolic elements as clues. An object's meaning or a recurring symbol may hint at a solution.

But leaving clues is not the only task ahead of you. You must also hide clues and misdirect the reader's attention so that they don't stumble on the solution too early and destroy tension.


Here are some tips for hiding clues:

  • Use misdirection to divert attention away from the real clues. Place focus on less relevant information and plant red herrings.

  • Craft clues that can have multiple interpretations, making it challenging for readers to discern their true significance.

  • Layer your storytelling and integrate clues within subplots or secondary narrative threads to hide their importance.

  • Use suspenseful events, conflict, and action to shift the focus away from certain clues temporarily.

  • Introduce clues when readers are likely to overlook them due to dramatic moments or hide them in plain sight during slower-paced moments where they might seem like benign details.

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How to foreshadow in mystery?


Foreshadowing is a powerful literary device that can be the difference between your story feeling like a unified whole and feeling piecemeal and disjointed.


It subtly prepares the reader for upcoming revelations without giving away the entire plot.


To foreshadow effectively, you must strategically place hints or clues that allude to future events or outcomes. These hints can take the form of statements, symbols, character reactions, and other seemingly insignificant details.


You can also insert foreshadowing through dialogue, both internal and external.


The trick is to gently point readers in the right direction, but in a way that they may not even realize is happening until the reveal actually comes, leading to the coveted "Aha!" moment.

How do you build suspense in a mystery story?


There are loads of ways to build suspense in your story. Here are the top ten, but by no means is this list exhaustive.

  1. Cliffhangers: End chapters with unresolved questions or tense situations that compel readers to continue flipping pages.

  2. Time Pressure: Set a time limit or impending deadline. Intensify the sense of urgency as you progress through the story.

  3. Dilemmas: Present characters with moral and ethical dilemmas that engage readers emotionally and raise the stakes.

  4. Conflict: Introduce conflicts, both internal and external, that act as obstacles to the characters' progress.

  5. Character Vulnerability: Put characters in dire and vulnerable situations where they have lots to lose and victory is not obvious, raising the stakes.

  6. Foreshadowing: Drop subtle hints that pique curiosity and allude to something big to come.

  7. Twists: Incorporate unexpected plot twists to keep readers guessing and unbalanced.

  8. Atmosphere: Create a mood and setting that is eerie and unsettling, adding to the overall tension and immersing the reader.

  9. Pacing: Vary the pacing of your story. Shift between intense and quiet moments to keep the reader on edge.

  10. Good Timing: Gradually reveal information and clues. Make sure that you do not reveal something too early without the proper setup so you can maintain tension and anticipation all the way through.

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Sherlock in a dark back alley - Image made with Leonardo.ai
Image made with Leonardo.ai

How do you slowly reveal a mystery?

Slowly revealing a mystery involves carefully dosing information to maintain suspense and intrigue.


Once you have established your central mystery or problem and effectively grasped the reader's interest, begin gradually disclosing details through a combination of dialogue, character observations, and subtle clues.


But make sure you balance revelation with new questions. When you release tension for one aspect of the story, you must replace it or continue it somewhere else. This will keep readers from getting bored.


As the story progresses, offer deeper insights into character motivations and connections where each revelation advances the plot or character development. Nothing can be for itself. A mystery story needs to be precise and free of extraneous details.


Gradually revealing information will allow your readers to piece together the puzzle alongside your characters, which makes for a more satisfying experience.


How to end a mystery story?


The ending is the most important part of a mystery story. Here are the things you will have to consider to make sure the conclusion is satisfying and worth the effort:

  • The ending of your novel needs to provide a clear resolution to the central mystery. Readers should understand the who, what, why, and how of the case.

  • Explain the motives of the culprit and tie up loose ends to ensure a logical and satisfying conclusion.

  • Conclude character arcs by addressing their personal obstacles and growth throughout the story.

  • Stage a final confrontation between the protagonist and antagonist, building to a dramatic climax.

  • Add a final twist or major revelation in the climax. Make it emotionally impactful and surprising but a natural culmination of all events leading up to it.

  • Allow readers to experience emotional closure, whether that is justice being served or redemption being achieved.

  • Show the consequences for the guilty party and the story's impact on the other characters.

  • Reflect on the themes explored in the story. Reinforce the narrative's messages.

  • Make sure all subplots are resolved and wrapped up.

  • End the story with a powerful and memorable image or moment that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.





Final Words


With mystery writing, the process can be just as much fun as the end result. But it can also be daunting to a lot of people.


Crafting a mystery demands a blend of skill, creativity, and thorough planning and research. That can be a lot for new writers, and most are left with more questions.


Today, we explored the foundations of mystery writing, from creating great characters to structuring a gripping plot. We've covered clues, suspense, and misdirection through the most common questions asked by aspiring writers.


Hopefully, you were able to get some of your own questions answered, but if not, put your query in the comment section below, and I will answer it as quickly as it's noticed.


Until next time, keep writing.


What are the best novels to read to improve your mystery writing skills?


The mystery genre has been one of the most popular for generations, so naturally there are a ton of fantastic books out there, written by masters that have managed to stay relevant and take the genre by storm. Characters like Sherlock Holmes have captured the hearts of millions around the world.


For new writers looking to start their journey into mystery or for seasoned writers looking to improve their already established skills, these mystery literary titans are the best mentors and teachers.





About the Author: Tessa Barron



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