Outlining Mystery and Detective Stories

[Sandor]

Does anyone have any advice on outlining detective and mystery stories? I'm trying to write a novel, sort of an occult take on the Nero Wolfe stories with a different, modern cast. I'm really struggling on outlining it, because I'm really out of my comfort zone writing mysteries. I love a good mystery or thriller film, old time radio plays as well, but I struggle with books of that genre. Would love opinions.

 

[CatrionaGrace]

Reread a favorite novel written by someone else, then outline that story chapter by chapter. Read a second novel; outline it. Use a real outline form, too, with Roman numerals and sub-sections that allow you to trace a pattern through the books. Yep, that's a lot of work, but it is a good way to study how mystery stories are built.

 

[Sandor]

Reread a favorite novel written by someone else, then outline that story chapter by chapter. Read a second novel; outline it. Use a real outline form, too, with Roman numerals and sub-sections that allow you to trace a pattern through the books. Yep, that's a lot of work, but it is a good way to study how mystery stories are built.

This is really good advice, tsm.