Prompt Commission for the wonderful @phantomdistrict:
Thank you again so much for your commission, and thank you for being patient with me. I had a lot of fun with it, I absolutely adore murder mysteries! It’s one of my favorite genres!
Some advice on the genre as well:
Murder Mysteries are all about two things:
-There are usually specific character roles:
Here is a previous ask about Murder Mysteries in which I describe some of the common roles found in the genre
https://downwithwritersblock.tumblr.com/post/186973688933/im-writing-a-story-about-a-murder-mystery-dinner
and try to think about what the common tropes are in the genre such as The Butler/Maid did it. The most common tropes are the characters. Get creative with these!
-The details: Murder Mysteries always come down to the details. The little tiny details that few people notice. You know that trope where at the end the detective breaks down everything? There’s a reason for that. Because solving the mystery is supposed to come down to all these little details that most people probably didnt notice, or looked over, but when you connect all the dots together it suddenly makes sense. So pay close attention to your details! Toy around with them!
Some recommendations for Murder Mysteries:
-READ AGATHA CHRISTIE. I will never stop saying this. If anyone ever does anything with Murder Mystery. You must read Agatha Christie. She is the mother of the genre. Murder on the Orient Express anyone? A personal favorite of mine is Witness For the Prosecution and Crooked House. She’s a master of plot twists and using those little details.
-For your specific request I would try reading some of the old Sherlock Holmes novels.They might have the right kind of vibe and style you’re looking for
-Karen M. McManus for something a bit more modern. I’ve read three of her books. One of Us is Lying and it’s sequal One of Us is Next. As well as Two Can Keep a Secret if One of Them is Dead. They’re really good. Y/A fiction.
-Watch the movie Knives Out. While the quality of the movie is questionable, it is a decent example of the Murder Mystery Genre.
Thank you again so much! I really hope I was able to help!
Text version of the prompts:
Prompts for @Phantomdistrict
1. “Who knew such a small town would have so much evil…”
4. “How could you? You? Of all people?”
5. All is fair in love and war
7. One person’s loss is another’s gain
8. “Well…You know what they say about the quiet ones: They scream the loudest.”
10. “Oh my, this is really quiet horrific…”
“I must agree, this isnt at all what I imagined when we began this investigation…”
15. “Well… We have certainly learned to never underestimate anyone from now on.”
17. Every man for himself
18. “That sneaky bastard! Oh! My apologies, please pardon my French.”
20. Don’t shoot the messenger
21. “Looks like those two are taking a crack at the one mystery neither of them could ever solve: How to make a friend.”
23. A bitter pill to swallow
25. “I can’t believe we would miss such a detail!”
“How curious, this means we have been looking at this all wrong!”
27. “You may have outsmarted me, but you can’t outsmart the both of us together.”
30. “My…My goodness… I have seen many things in my day but this? This is truly ghastly”
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