Global Mysteries

Mystery stories that maintain popularity over the years share some common elements even though their plots may be quite different. Consider these five top mystery stories: Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon, Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Indians, Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles, Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca,  Edgar Allen Poe’s Murders in the Rue Morgue. Each of these stories possesses a curious protagonist who applies a unique investigative process. The protagonist uses this skill to solve a problem by following and analyzing a series of clues. Often a clue will lead in a wrong direction, but the protagonist will always find the right trail, tie up the loose strings and solve the crime. An excellent author will season the plot with surprise, suspense, struggle and fear to make it more spicy. A writer may embellish a mystery story with all kinds of interesting characters, setting and side issues but enduring mystery story should include the basic elements shared by timeless mystery literature pieces.