Written by Alessio Guerrero. Edited by Naomi Jalloh.
Mystery novels often rely on familiar ideas and patterns to keep readers engaged. From suspicious characters to unexpected revelations, these repeating elements, called tropes, help build suspense and guide readers through the story. Some readers criticize tropes, saying they make stories predictable; however, they give writers a base to work with. What really matters is how authors use these tropes and whether they choose to follow them or put their own spin on them.
The Usual Suspects:
A common trope in mystery novels features a small group of suspects. Each character has something to hide, making it possible for anyone to be the culprit. This encourages readers to guess along with the detective and question everyone’s motives. Over time, though, readers have learned to expect that the most suspicious person might not be guilty, which gives writers the opportunity to surprise their audience.
“It’s Always the Butler” … Or Is It?:
The saying “the butler did it” is often utilized to describe an obvious or lazy ending. In older mystery stories, servants or background characters were sometimes revealed as the criminal because they had access to everything and were easy to overlook. Since this trope has been used so often, it no longer feels shocking. Many modern writers play with this idea by making the butler innocent or using the expectation itself to mislead readers.
The Twist Ending:
The majority of mystery novels build up to a big reveal at the end. A twist ending changes how readers understand the story in its entirety by revealing something unexpected, like the real motive or a hidden connection between characters. In classic mysteries, these endings usually wrapped everything up neatly. Today, writers often go for endings that are more complicated or unsettling, leaving readers thinking about the story long after it’s over.
Changing the Rules:
Modern mystery writers don’t always stick to traditional tropes. Some stories seem predictable at first but slowly stray away from the expected path. Authors might follow a familiar setup only to add an unexpected twist, switch perspectives, or reveal that the narrator is unreliable. By mixing old tropes with new ideas, writers keep the mystery genre fresh and exciting.
Sources:
“21 Popular Mystery Tropes for Writers.” Writer’s Digest, 18 Feb. 2023, www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/popular-mystery-tropes-for-writers.
Tillotson, Kat. “From Locked Rooms to Final Girls – How Classic Mystery Tropes Are Evolving.” Red Herring Reads, redherringreads.com/evolving-mystery-tropes.
