They often have a quick - paced plot. Since they are short, they need to get to the point fast. So, the events leading up to the murder and the discovery of the murderer are concise. Also, the characters in short funny murder stories tend to be exaggerated. You might have a bumbling detective who still manages to solve the case in a hilarious way. Or a murderer who has the most ridiculous motive, like killing someone because they didn't like the color of their socks. The humor can also come from the dialogue. Snappy, witty exchanges between the characters can add to the comical and somewhat macabre nature of the story.
One characteristic is the unexpected twist. For example, in a story, you might think the obvious suspect is the killer, but then it turns out to be someone completely different in a humorous way, like the old lady who everyone thought was harmless but was actually the mastermind behind the murder because she was mad about the noise from the neighbor's dog. Another characteristic is the use of absurd situations. Such as a murder that happened because of a fight over the last slice of pizza in a pizzeria. And often, there is a bit of dark humor involved, like when the murderer accidentally leaves a comical clue, like a big, floppy hat at the crime scene which leads to their capture.
One characteristic is the unexpected alibis. Like in the story where the gardener said he was watering the plants at night but it rained that day so there was no need. Another is the comical characters. For example, a bumbling detective who always gets the wrong clues at first but in a funny way. Also, the situations can be humorous. Such as when the suspects all start blaming each other in a really over - the - top and comical manner.
They tend to have vivid and memorable characters. In 'Lamb to the Slaughter', the wife's transformation from a loving spouse to a cold - blooded killer is striking. Also, short murder stories in fiction often use a limited setting. This helps to intensify the feeling of claustrophobia or entrapment, like in 'The Cask of Amontillado' where the catacombs are the main setting. And they usually end with a big revelation or twist that leaves the reader with a sense of shock or satisfaction.
Well - developed characters are important. In a good murder short story, the murderer, the victim, and the detective (if there is one) all have distinct personalities. Take Dashiell Hammett's stories. His characters are often morally ambiguous, which adds depth to the story and makes the murder and its investigation more interesting.
Good online short murder stories usually have a strong opening that grabs your attention right away. For example, it might start with a mysterious discovery or a sudden death. They also tend to have well - developed characters in a short span. Even though it's a short story, you can still feel the motives and personalities of the characters involved in the murder.
Funny murder mystery novels often have unique characters. For example, they might have an eccentric detective like in 'The Spellman Files' series. These characters bring humor through their odd behaviors and quirks. They also may use clever wordplay in the dialogue. For instance, a character might make a pun related to the crime scene which makes the reader laugh.
They often involve unexpected elements. In the story of the boy painting his dog, the unexpected action of the boy made it funny. The dog's appearance after being painted was not what one would expect. Also, they tend to have characters with some kind of quirk, like the clumsy magician. Their flaws or unique behaviors lead to humorous situations.
They are brief. Usually, they can be told in just a few sentences. For example, 'Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything.' It gets to the funny part quickly without a lot of build - up.
Funny and short stories are often characterized by unexpected twists. For example, in the story of the panda in the restaurant, the punchline about 'eats shoots and leaves' is completely unexpected. They also usually have simple settings and characters. A short story about a cat chasing its tail doesn't need a complex world - building. And they are quick to tell and easy to remember, like the joke about the magician turning into a grocery store. You can share these stories easily in a short conversation and make people laugh right away.
They usually have an unexpected twist. Take the story of the cat who thought he was a dog. He chased his tail just like a dog, but then got dizzy and remembered he was a cat. The sudden realization at the end makes it funny. They also tend to play on words or common situations in a unique way.
They are short, which makes them easy to read in a short time. Just a quick laugh.