Detective Fiction

A clue that is designed to mislead the detective in the story and/or the reader is called a _____.

• red herring

• blue slip

• yellow fish

• green gump

A story or excuse that suspects use to try and prove they are innocent is called a(n) _____.

• motive

• evidence

• alibi

• M.O. (modus operandi)

True or False: Mystery fiction can also be called detective or crime novels.

• True

• False

Which of the following can be the conflict in a mystery story?

• a crime

• a secret

• a puzzle

• all of the options listed

A character that assists the detective in solving cases is called the _____.

• reader

• sidekick

• police

• comic relief

In which of these real-world locations would it be less likely to set a detective novel?

• a haunted Victorian mansion

• dimly lit alleyways of London on a foggy night

• a crowded beach in Miami on a sunny day

• a dense forest under a full moon in Transylvania

Answer explanation

Stories in this genre should create an ominous, uneasy mood through setting to support the anxiety of an unknown antagonist lurking in the shadows.

In a mystery novel, this element helps to engage the reader throughout the entire story.

• the unexpected twist in the beginning

• the antagonist's evil plan

• the detective's sharp mind

• a trail of mysterious clues

A person who saw a crime is called a _____.

• witness

• red herring

• suspect

• perp

What is another name for a detective?

• witness

• sleuth

• victim

• red herring

In detective fiction, what is the term for a misleading clue?

• Red herring

• Blue slip

• Yellow fish

• Green gump