What are the characteristics of short crime novels?

One characteristic is their fast - paced plots. Since they are short, they need to quickly draw the reader in and keep the action going. For example, in 'The Postman Always Rings Twice', the affair and the murder plot start right away. Another characteristic is the often - noir atmosphere. These novels usually depict a seedy side of American life, like in 'Double Indemnity' where the characters are involved in a sordid insurance fraud - murder scheme. Also, they tend to have complex characters with hidden motives. In 'A Simple Plan', the main character's seemingly simple discovery quickly reveals his complex and dark desires.

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.

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.

Crime mystery and crime novels usually feature a central mystery that drives the story forward. The characters are diverse, including law enforcement officers, suspects, and witnesses. There is a lot of focus on clues and evidence. The pacing is often fast - paced to keep the reader engaged. The atmosphere can be dark and moody, adding to the overall sense of mystery. The best ones make the reader think and try to solve the mystery along with the characters.

The settings in 1920 crime novels were quite interesting. They often depicted the urban landscapes of the 1920s, with its speakeasies, underworld characters, and the contrast between the rich and the poor. For example, in some novels, the seedy parts of the city were where most of the criminal activities took place, while the wealthy neighborhoods seemed to be sheltered from such chaos at first glance. Also, the characters in these novels were diverse. There were the shrewd detectives, the cunning criminals, and the bystanders caught in the middle. The dialogue was sharp and sometimes full of slang that was characteristic of the era.

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.

They are usually concise. They quickly introduce the crime, the characters involved, and the setting. For example, in many such stories, the crime might be introduced within the first few paragraphs.

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 crime fiction short stories often have a strong sense of mystery. They draw readers in with an initial crime or strange situation. For example, in 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue', the brutal murders in a locked room create immediate intrigue. Also, they usually have interesting characters. In 'Lamb to the Slaughter', the seemingly gentle housewife who commits a crime is a very engaging character.

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.