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.

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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