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A subgenre of mystery where a crime, often murder, is committed under seemingly impossible circumstances, such as a locked room where no intruder could have entered or left.

A character whose credibility has been seriously compromised, making it unclear how much of their story is the truth.

A plot device used at the climax where the culprit reveals their motives and methods for committing the crime in a letter.

A complex, plot-driven variety of the mystery genre in which the puzzle regarding who committed the crime is at the heart of the story.

A narrative element that leads readers or characters towards a false conclusion, distracting them from the actual culprit or solution.

An object, device, or event that is necessary to the plot and the motivation of the characters but is insignificant, unimportant, or irrelevant in itself.

A character who accompanies the detective and serves as a companion or an assistant during the investigation.

An unexpected conclusion that dramatically changes the perception of the preceding story, often by revealing new information.

A setting in which the suspects are all known to each other and isolated in their environment, limiting the possibilities of who the criminal could be.

A scenario in which an innocent character is incorrectly blamed for the crime, creating a diversion in the plot.

A character who investigates crimes but is not a professional detective or a member of law enforcement.

A piece of information—often cryptic—left by the victim just before death, intended to identify the killer or hint at the circumstances surrounding the murder.

A trope in mystery stories where the police are depicted as ineffective, allowing the central detective figure to shine.

A devoted assistant or household member who aids or protects the detective or another central character.

A lesser character that often provides crucial story detail while appearing to be just making conversation.

A type of character in mystery novels known for their tough, cynical, and pragmatic demeanor.

A claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an act, typically a criminal one, is alleged to have taken place.

A mysterious and seductive female character whose charms ensnare her lovers, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations.

A hidden route or door within a building, used primarily for secret movement or escape, which may play a key role in the plot of a mystery novel.