What are the characteristics of a conventional victim of a detective novel?

Typically, the conventional victim is not overly powerful or well - protected. They are usually an ordinary person in a vulnerable position. This could be a lonely old lady living alone, or a young person new to the city without many friends or resources. Their vulnerability makes it easier for the perpetrator to carry out the crime against them.

They usually have something valuable. It could be money, property, or a precious heirloom. This valuable item or their wealth is often a key factor that leads to their victimization as it attracts the wrong kind of attention.

Often, it could be a wealthy person. In many detective novels, the rich are common victims. Their wealth makes them targets for various motives like greed or envy.

The victim is the starting point of the plot. Their death or disappearance is what the detective has to solve. It creates the mystery that drives the whole story.

The victim's death or situation is what kicks off the plot. It sets the mystery in motion. For example, when a victim is found dead in a locked room, it immediately creates questions that the detective has to answer.

Conventional fiction often follows established narrative structures. For example, it usually has a clear beginning, middle, and end. It may feature common character archetypes like the hero, the villain, and the sidekick. The settings are typically ones that readers can easily visualize, such as a small town or a big city. The themes are also often relatable, like love, friendship, or the struggle between good and evil.

In detective novels, the victim can be portrayed in various ways. Sometimes they are presented as innocent and blameless, which immediately evokes sympathy from the readers. Their backstories might be gradually revealed to show that they were ordinary people caught in unfortunate circumstances.

Occasionally, the victim may be the target of blackmail or extortion in detective novels. They might be threatened with the exposure of their secrets, and if they resist, they end up in a bad situation. This type of plot often reveals a lot about the victim's past and the seedy underbelly of the fictional world they inhabit.

One of the main characteristics is a complex mystery. There's usually a crime, like a murder or a theft, that needs to be solved. Another is the presence of a detective, who is often intelligent and observant. For example, Sherlock Holmes can notice the smallest details that others miss.

The 1841 detective novel often had a clear - cut hero - detective figure. This detective was usually portrayed as highly intelligent and observant. They would notice details that others overlooked. And the settings were typically urban, as the growth of cities in the 19th century provided a backdrop of mystery and crime.