What are the characteristics of the best crime fiction short stories?

One characteristic is a fast - paced plot. Since they are short, they need to quickly draw the reader in and keep the action moving. For example, in 'Lamb to the Slaughter', the murder happens right at the start. Another characteristic is the presence of a mystery or a crime to be solved. Usually, there's a detective figure, either formal like Sherlock Holmes or just an observant character. And often, there's an unexpected twist at the end, like in many of Poe's stories.

Crime short fiction often has a fast - paced plot. It quickly sets up a crime situation, like a murder or a theft. The characters are usually well - defined, with the detective or the criminal having distinct personalities. For example, Sherlock Holmes in Conan Doyle's short stories. There is also a sense of mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the end.

Very short crime fiction stories often rely on a strong central mystery. Take 'The Speckled Band'. The mystery of the strange death and the speckled band is what drives the story forward. They also tend to have a limited number of characters to keep the story focused and not overly complicated.

The best short crime novels often have a strong opening to grab the reader's attention right away. For example, 'The Cask of Amontillado' starts with a sense of foreboding. They also usually have a cleverly crafted mystery. In 'Lamb to the Slaughter', the mystery lies in how the crime will be discovered. And most of them have a satisfying conclusion, like in 'The Speckled Band' where the mystery is fully resolved.

Complex characters are also common. In crime books like 'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler, the detective Philip Marlowe is a multi - faceted character with his own set of morals and flaws. His character development is intertwined with the solving of the crime.

The best southern crime fiction typically features a strong sense of place. It's like you can almost feel the heat and humidity of the South. The characters are often a bit rough around the edges. They might be detectives with a troubled past or criminals with a code of their own. And there's usually a good dose of mystery and a slow - burning plot that keeps you hooked.

Good marketing is also a characteristic. Publishers like Hachette are great at getting their crime fiction books in front of the right audience. They use various channels such as social media, book fairs, and partnerships with bookstores to promote their titles. They also have a knack for creating eye - catching book covers that draw readers in.

Good psychological crime fiction often blurs the lines between right and wrong. The characters may not fit into the typical moral categories. In some novels, the detective or the main character may have their own psychological flaws that affect their investigation. This adds depth and realism to the story. It's not just about solving a crime, but about understanding the human mind behind it.

They are often fast - paced. There's no time for long - winded descriptions, so they quickly get into the action and keep the suspense high throughout. Also, they usually have a mystery or a crime at the center. This could be a murder, a theft, or some other illegal act. And they tend to have an unexpected twist at the end, which makes the reader re - evaluate everything they've read.

The best American crime fiction novels often have complex characters. For example, in 'The Godfather', the characters are multi - faceted, not simply good or bad. They also usually have a gripping plot. 'Gone Girl' keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its unexpected twists. And many feature a sense of place, like 'Chinatown Beat' which vividly portrays the Chinatown area.