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The answer is no. Simply because there are no elements that should or should not be included within a novel, mystery or otherwise. There are no correct formulas. This is evidenced by Dwight Swain's...
Answer
#3: Attribution notice added
by
System
·
2019-12-08T13:10:18Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/48666 License name: CC BY-SA 4.0 License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
#2: Initial revision
by
Surtsey
·
2019-12-08T13:10:18Z (almost 5 years ago)
The answer is no. Simply because there are no elements that should or should not be included within a novel, mystery or otherwise. There are no correct formulas. This is evidenced by Dwight Swain's inability to write a successful work of fiction. Most mysteries / thrillers rely on skills such as misdirection, selective POV and psychological manipulation of the reader. There would be no mystery about 6th sense if it was revealed the protagonist was dead in first scene. I strongly suggest you read a few Agatha Christie novels and analyse them, if that is the writer you wish to emulate.
#1: Imported from external source
by
System
·
2019-10-22T11:58:10Z (about 5 years ago)
Original score: 2