The genre of detective films in its purest form many years ago successfully moved to television, where it is still presented in the form of crime series (“CSI”, “Think Like a Criminal”, “Elementary”). In full-length cinema, the detective story has changed significantly, as a result of mixing several genres into one coherent plot. Thriller detective, thriller detective, parody detective. It is this mixing of genres that keeps the viewer at the screen.
Puzzles, sophisticated crimes, unexpected turns of events, charismatic protagonists and brilliant criminals. It is the skillful combination of all these elements that creates a masterpiece of a detective thriller that captures the viewer from the first second to the end credits.
I propose to watch the 8 best detective films with a tense plot.
1. True detective
Year: 2014
Actors: Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Monaghan
This is, without exaggeration, the best mini-series of recent years, created by the popular American television channel HBO, in the style of a neo-noir detective with thriller elements. The creators of the project managed to get into their group of brilliant film actors - Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, who created complex and fascinating characters on the screen. The series received not only rave reviews from viewers, but also recognition from film critics around the world.
The actions of the detective take place in 1995 in Louisiana, where a sophisticated maniac kills girls and creates some kind of decoration around their bodies, a kind of message. Two detectives assigned to lead the investigation catch the killer, but the ego is killed while apprehended. The case is closed. In parallel, the plot is mixed with events that take place 17 years later. What happened to detectives and their careers? And why did the police again turn to the case of a sophisticated maniac in 1995? This is not only the story of one investigation, but also the story of several destinies, vital and realistic.
"True Detective" is one of the few films that has a bewitching atmosphere, unique flavor and great music.
2. Seven
Year: 1995
Actors: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow
The famous psychological detective from the American director David Fincher, who received 19 awards from various film festivals. The film from the first minute, with its tense atmosphere, introduces the viewer into a state in which he seems to become an accomplice in all events.
The action takes place over the course of just seven days, during which an old detective (Freeman) and his young partner (Pitt) are investigating a series of mysterious murders. Every day they find the body of a man whom the maniac punished for one of the deadly sins, imagining himself a messenger of God. The killer defies the police without fear of punishment. And their game is getting more and more dangerous every day.
Shoot the entire film with dim lighting, in dark colors, in dirty, shabby city scenery, in order to emphasize the atmosphere of general depressiveness. Such an atmosphere, deeply psychological characters and an impressive finale have been making the film "Sem" one of the best detective stories of world cinema for twenty years now.
3. Insomnia
Year: 2002
Actors: Al Pacino, Martin Donovan, Robin Williams, Paul Dooley, Hilary Swank
American film directed by Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight, Inception). It combines not only an exciting plot, tense atmosphere of a detective thriller, but also a great acting game.
The plot revolves around a successful detective Dormer from California (Pacino), who is forced to go to Alaska to investigate the seemingly ordinary murder of a girl on the basis of unrequited love. But the detective immediately sees that everything is not as simple as it seems, and the real killer skillfully circles everyone around his finger. Dormer does not sleep well because of the polar night, and psychological stress does not leave him because of the investigation. And during the detention, he accidentally kills his partner. Now Dormer, like the killer, is trying to cover his tracks, and he has his own reasons for this ...
Despite the fact that "Insomnia" is a remake of the film of the same name, it turned out to be much more successful and brighter than its predecessor. Thanks to the gloomy atmosphere, the viewer begins to feel the same psychological pressure as Detective Dormer. The director managed to find a fine line with which the viewer thinks that he himself is a participant in all events.
4. Simulator
Year: 1995
Actors: Sigourney Weaver, Holly Hunter, Dermot Mulroney, Harry Connick Jr.
American detective with scary music that maintains the atmosphere of an action-packed thriller.
The main character is a doctor of criminal psychology Hudson (Weaver), who understands the motives and behavior of serial killers. Once she was attacked by a maniac, after which, due to agoraphobia, she does not leave her apartment for many years. She is approached by detectives who are investigating a series of murders. Psychologically exhausted and intimidated, Hudson does not want to return to work on the murders. Until the moment she realizes that the criminal is exactly copying all the crimes that she once described in her analytical book.
Sigourney Weaver is the star of psychological thrillers with a detective story. The picture with her participation, without large-scale scenery and a special "underwater plot", still keeps the viewer at the screen.
5. Red dragon
Year: 2002
Actors: Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Harvey Keitel
The prequel film to the famous detective thriller The Silence of the Lambs is based on the book of the same name by Thomas Harris about the life of the greatest murderer of all time - Hannibal Lecter. The film "Red Dragon" is not as famous as its next part, but no less action-packed.
Detective Will Graham (Norton) manages to suspect Hannibal Lector (Hopkins) of a series of brutal murders and puts him behind bars. The detective retires and lives quietly with his family until he is approached by the FBI to take control of an investigation into a series of unusual murders. Gremm turns to Lector for help, as the newly minted maniac writes admiring letters to Hannibal. It seems to the police that they are in control and will soon catch the killer. But what they don't realize is that they are the victims of a well-planned game where someone else dictates the rules...
6. Zodiac
Year: 2007
Actors: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr.
Another detective film from the master of intense thriller David Fincher. The picture is based on the real events of the investigation into the brutal murders of the most famous maniac of the last century, the Zodiac, who was never caught. He operated in San Francisco for 12 years, during which he killed 37 people. At the same time, he regularly sent confusing messages to the police through newspapers, which could not be fully deciphered.
The film tells two stories in parallel: the crimes of the Zodiac and the police investigation. For the detective (Gyllenhaal) who was on the murder case, the investigation becomes a matter of life. He understands that the police have imprisoned an innocent person, and even after the cessation of crimes, he continues to look for evidence. He finds the only surviving victim of the Zodiac who can testify in his case, and gets incredibly close to the Zodiac ...
The film keeps you in suspense from the beginning to the very end. The viewer, initially knowing the ending, still empathizes with the characters and hopes for a good ending.
7. Captives
Year: 2013
Actors: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal
The film "Prisoners" is an example of a quality suspense detective film. Critics praised Jake Gyllenhaal's excellent performance and well-structured plot that gradually builds up tension around events.
The plot is based on the story of the kidnapping of two little girls on Thanksgiving Day. The police quickly apprehend a suspect, mentally retarded guy Alex, who was at the scene of the crime shortly before the kidnapping. For lack of evidence, they let him go. The father of one of the girls (Jackman) is sure that the guy is still involved in the kidnapping. He begins to conduct his own investigation, kidnaps a young man and brutally tortures him in order to find his daughter. With Alex missing, the police start looking for the kidnapper. And now the desperate father becomes a criminal...
The film does not have a huge number of events that replace each other every minute. The whole atmosphere in it is created by the main characters, their experiences, character traits and deep psychologism.
8. Who are you, Mr. Brooks?
Year: 2007
Actors: Kevin Costner, William Hurt, Demi Moore
"Who are you, Mr. Brooks?" is a thriller and psychological drama in one with Kevin Costner in the title role.
In the center of the plot is a successful businessman and exemplary family man Earl Brooks (Costner). He does charity work, takes care of his daughter and wife, and kills people in his spare time. For several years he struggled with his inner demons, until he again committed a crime. Due to a small oversight in his case, a witness appeared who does not demand money, but simply wants to be present at the next murder. At this time, the detectives are actively investigating, getting closer to Brooks. And when he decides to give up his unusual hobby, his daughter is accused of murder. Brooks is obliged to save the girl, save the family, but for this he has to commit the last crime.
Although the film did not have wide popularity, it is an example of a good psychological detective story that is worth watching in your spare time.
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Of course, Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes will forever remain in our hearts, but in modern films there are many worthy detectives who famously crack down on criminal plans. If you like to puzzle over mysteries and unexpected plot twists, then this collection is for you.
website collected modern film detectives that will appeal to everyone who likes to solve mysteries and follow the disclosure of seemingly perfectly thought out crimes.
Seven
Powerful cast, deep plot and famously twisted game of cat and mouse. A movie about how frightening the world has become and how we are used to what is happening. This is the film after which you sit for some time, looking at the already black screen, and reflecting on what you saw, unable to utter a word.
The game
David Fincher, like no one else, knows how to create an intriguing atmosphere of the film, playing with the audience, in every possible way confusing and teasing him. And at the very end, when the tension is already reaching the limit, he finishes off with fantastic endings.
Grand Budapest Hotel
Wes Anderson's signature style: utterly otherworldly characters, superb sets, and thoughtful details. This film is not at all as frivolous as it might seem at first glance. And the more thoughtfully you look, the more interesting things are revealed.
oldboy
This film has been called the Asian reaction to Kill Bill. Being imprisoned, the main character gradually turns himself into a fighting machine in order to take revenge on those who encroached on his freedom. This film has everything that a great film detective should have: a crime, a gripping investigation and an unpredictable ending that turns out to be much less canonical than you might expect.
Time to kill
When you watch this movie, you want to pick up a notebook and write down every dialogue - they are so chic. The movie leaves a lot of questions behind. You will think about whether a crime should always be followed by a punishment, and whether it is worth considering the committed crime at all when it comes to just retribution.
sleepy hollow
A young constable is sent to a place called Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of mysterious murders. A great combination of fantasy and detective. The gloomy and mysterious color scheme of the film perfectly suits the story and setting and fills the picture with a special atmosphere and spirit.
Silence of the Lambs
This movie is a disturbing and frightening journey through a tangled labyrinth of hidden phobias, human weaknesses and darkness of the soul. If you want to get rid of nightmares, go not to a highly paid psychotherapist, but to the most remote prison room, where the best psychologist in the area, the cannibal intellectual Hannibal Lecter, takes.
Obsession
A young man unexpectedly meets his former lover, who disappeared several years ago under mysterious circumstances. And now the hero is doing everything to track her down. The constant twists and turns of the plot delight, and sometimes bewilder, gradually add up to a single picture and clarify the meaning only at the very end.
substitution
The chic atmosphere of Los Angeles in the 1920s will complement the viewing with an indescribable mood. And the more you watch the development of the plot, the more clearly you will feel as if dozens of small hammers are pounding on the nerves, not letting you relax, forcing you to doubt and make new and new assumptions.
Sherlock Holmes
Surprisingly, Guy Ritchie's Holmes is not that far removed from the literary original. An adventurer and a prankster with an absolutely inexhaustible curiosity for the world - this character, oddly enough, is closer than many others to the real Sherlock. Of course, we no longer observe the traditional felt cap and do not hear our favorite phrase about Watson - but attractive muscles and a great sense of humor have appeared.
Primal Fear
Charming Richard Gere in the role of a lawyer and a little-known Norton, who is already making an impression with his acting. The plot unfolds in court and, due to the dynamics and bitingness of the dialogues, even “A Time to Kill” is forced to step aside. Until the very last frame, you will remain in doubt as to who is really guilty here. Probably one of the best films in its genre.
Red rivers
Kassovitz managed to create the proper level of suspense and an ominous atmosphere. The game of Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel helped him in this, as well as the alpine landscapes, which maintain a gloomy mood throughout the film. The movie is shot quite cheerfully - you will not be bored. One of the most well built detectives.
Prestige
The feeling of rivalry between two magicians is conveyed here with such completeness that it seems as if you yourself are starting to invent something in order to beat your opponents. This film is an amazing combination of fascination and tragedy, realism and entertainment, staging skill and beauty. And the trick was a success as never before - intense curiosity will not leave until the very end.
Despite its relative youth as an independent literary movement, today the detective story is one of the most popular genres. The secret of such success is simple - the mystery captivates. The reader does not passively follow what is happening, but takes an active part in it. Anticipates events and builds his versions. Grigory Chkhartishvili (Boris Akunin), the author of the famous series of novels about the detective Erast Fandorin, once told in an interview how to write a detective story. According to the writer, the main factor for creating an exciting plot is the game with the reader, which needs to be filled with unexpected moves and traps.
Get inspired by example
Many authors of popular detective stories do not hide the fact that they were inspired by reading the works of the outstanding masters of this genre. For example, the American writer Elizabeth George has always admired the work of Agatha Christie. Boris Akunin could not resist the charades of the great author of detective prose. The writer generally admitted that he loves detective stories in the English style and often uses the techniques characteristic of them in his works. About what contribution Arthur Conan Doyle made to the detective genre with his famous character is probably not worth talking about much. Because to create a hero like Sherlock Holmes is the dream of any writer.
Become a criminal
To write a real detective story, you need to come up with a crime, because the mystery associated with it is always at the heart of the plot. So, the author will have to try on the role of an attacker. To begin with, it is worth deciding what the nature of this crime will be. Most famous detective stories are based on the investigation of murders, thefts, robberies, kidnappings and blackmail. However, there are also many examples when the author captivates the reader with an innocent incident that leads to the solution of a big mystery.
turn back time
After choosing a crime, the author will have to think it over carefully, since a real detective conceals all the details that will lead to a denouement. Masters of the genre are advised to use the technique of the reverse course of time. The first step is to decide who committed the crime, how he did it, and why. Then you need to imagine how the attacker will try to hide what he has done. Do not forget about accomplices, evidence left behind and witnesses. These leads build a compelling plot that gives the reader the opportunity to conduct their own investigation. For example, the famous British writer P.D. James says that before she starts creating an exciting story, she always comes up with a solution to the mystery. Therefore, when asked about how to write a good detective story, she replies that one must think like a criminal. A novel should not be like a boring interrogation. Intrigue and tension - that's what matters.
Plot construction
The detective genre, like any other literary movement, has its own subgenres. Therefore, when answering the question of how to write a detective story, professionals advise first to decide on the choice of how to build a storyline.
- The classic detective story is presented in a linear fashion. The reader is investigating the crime committed together with the main character. At the same time, he uses the keys to the riddles left by the author.
- In an inverted detective story, the reader at the very beginning becomes a witness to a crime. And the whole subsequent plot revolves around the process and methods of investigation.
- Often, mystery writers use a combined storyline. When the reader is offered to look at the same crime from different angles. This approach is based on the surprise effect. After all, the current and slender version breaks down in one moment.
Interest the reader
Bringing the reader up to date and intriguing by presenting a crime is one of the main steps in creating a detective story. It does not matter how the facts become known. The reader can witness the crime himself, learn about it from the character's story, or find himself at the scene of its commission. The main thing is that there are clues and versions for investigation. The description should have a sufficient amount of believable detail - this is one of the factors to consider when figuring out how to write a detective story.
keep intrigue
The next important task of the novice author will be to keep the interest of the reader. The story should not be too simple, when it becomes clear from the very beginning that the "scuba diver" killed everyone. A far-fetched plot will also quickly get bored and disappointed, since a fairy tale and a detective story are different genres. But even if it is supposed to create a famously twisted plot, you should hide some clues in a pile of unimportant, at first glance, details. This is one of the tricks of the classic English detective. A vivid confirmation of the above can be the statement of the popular Mickey Spillane. When asked about how to write a book (a detective story), he replied: “No one will read a mystery story to get to the middle. Everyone wants to read it to the end. If it turns out to be a disappointment, you will lose the reader. The first page sells this book, and the last page sells all that will be written in the future.”
Traps
Because detective work relies on reason and deduction, a plot will be more compelling and believable if the information it presents leads the reader to the wrong conclusion. They may even be mistaken and follow a false line of reasoning. This technique is often used by authors who create detective stories about serial killers. This allows you to confuse the reader and create an intriguing turn of events. When everything seems to be clear and there is nothing to be afraid of, it is at this moment that the main character becomes the most vulnerable to the impending series of dangers. An unexpected twist always makes a story more interesting.
Motivation
Detective heroes should have interesting motives. The writer's advice that every character in a good story should want something applies more to the detective genre than to others. Since the subsequent actions of the hero directly depend on motivation. So, they affect the storyline. It is necessary to follow and then write down all the causes and effects in order to keep the reader firmly in the created situation. The more characters with their hidden interests, the more confusing, and, therefore, the more exciting the story is. Spy detectives are mostly filled with such characters. A good example is the detective thriller Mission: Impossible, written by David Koepp and Steven Zaillian.
Create the identity of the perpetrator
Since the author knows who, how and why committed the crime from the very beginning, the only thing left is to decide whether this character will be one of the main ones.
If you use a common technique, when the attacker is constantly in the field of view of the reader, then it is necessary to work out his personality and appearance in detail. As a rule, the author makes such a hero very sympathetic in order to inspire confidence in the reader and avert suspicions. And in the end - dumbfounded by an unexpected denouement. A vivid and illustrative example is the character Vitaly Egorovich Krechetov from the detective series "Liquidation".
In the case where the decision is made to make the criminal the least visible character, more detailed portrayal of personal motives than appearance will be needed in order to bring him to the main stage in the end. It is these characters that are created by authors who write detective stories about serial killers. An example is the sheriff from the detective series The Mentalist.
Create the identity of the hero investigating the crime
The character opposing evil can be anyone. And not necessarily a professional investigator or a private detective. Attentive old Miss Marple by Agatha Christie and Professor Langdon by Dan Brown do their job no less well. The main task of the leading character is to interest the reader and arouse empathy in him. Therefore, his personality must be alive. And also the authors of the detective genre give advice on the description of the appearance and behavior of the protagonist. Some feature will help to make him extraordinary, like Fandorin's gray temples and stuttering. But professionals warn novice authors against being too enthusiastic about describing the inner world of the protagonist, as well as from creating too beautiful appearance with figurative comparisons, since such techniques are more typical for romance novels.
Investigator Skills
Perhaps a rich imagination, natural instinct and logic will help the novice author in creating an interesting detective story, and will also captivate the reader by drawing up a general picture of the case from small pieces of information provided. However, the story must be believable. Therefore, the luminaries of the genre, explaining how to write a detective story, focus on studying the intricacies of the work of professional detectives. After all, not everyone has the skills of criminal investigators. So, for the reliability of the plot, it is necessary to delve into the features of the profession.
Some use expert advice. Others spend long hours and days sorting through old court cases. Moreover, to create a high-quality detective story, you will need not only the knowledge of criminologists. At least a general idea of the psychology of the behavior of criminals will be necessary. And for authors who decide to spin the plot around the murder, they will also need knowledge in the field of forensic anthropology. Do not forget about the details specific to the time and place of the action, as they will require additional knowledge. If, according to the plot, the investigation of the crime takes place in the 19th century, the environment, historical events, technologies and behavior of the characters must correspond to it. At times, the task becomes more complicated when a part-time detective is a professional in some other area. For example, a strange mathematician, psychologist or biologist. Accordingly, the author will have to become more proficient in the sciences that make his character special.
Completion
The most important task of the author is also to create an interesting and logical ending. Because no matter how twisted the plot turns out, all the riddles presented in it must be solved. All questions that have accumulated along the way should be answered. Moreover, through detailed conclusions that will be clear to the reader, since understatement in the detective genre is not welcome. Reflections and the construction of various options for completing the story are typical for novels with a philosophical component. And the detective genre is commercial. In addition, the reader will be very interested to know where he was right and where he was wrong.
Professionals pay attention to the danger lurking in the mixing of genres. When working in this style, it is very important to remember that if the story has a detective beginning, its conclusion must be written in the same genre. One should not leave the reader disappointed by attributing the crime to mystical powers or an accident. Even if the former do occur, their presence in the novel must fit into the plot and the course of the investigation. And the accident itself is not the subject of a detective story. Therefore, if it happened, someone is involved in this. In a word, a detective may have an unexpected end, but it cannot cause bewilderment and disappointment. It is better if the end is designed for the deductive abilities of the reader, and he will solve the riddle a little earlier than the main character.
A detective novel is a kind of intellectual game. Moreover, it is a sports competition. And detective novels are created according to strictly defined laws - albeit unwritten, but nevertheless mandatory. Every respected and self-respecting writer of detective stories strictly observes them. So, what follows is a kind of detective creed, based partly on the practical experience of all the great masters of the detective genre, and partly on the promptings of the voice of conscience of an honest writer. Here it is:
1. The reader should have equal opportunities with the detective to unravel the mystery of the crime. All clues must be clearly labeled and described.
2. The reader must not be deliberately deceived or misled, except in those cases when he, along with the detective, is deceived by the criminal in accordance with all the rules of fair play.
3. There should not be a love line in the novel. After all, we are talking about bringing the criminal to justice, and not about connecting the yearning lovers with the bonds of Hymen.
4. Neither the detective nor any of the official investigators must turn out to be a criminal. This is tantamount to outright deceit - it's the same as if we slipped a shiny copper instead of a gold coin. Fraud is fraud.
5. The offender must be discovered deductively - with the help of logical conclusions, and not due to chance, coincidence or unmotivated confession. After all, choosing this last method of unraveling the mystery of the crime, the author quite deliberately directs the reader along a deliberately false trail, and when he returns empty-handed, calmly informs him that the solution has always been in his pocket, the author. Such an author is no better than a lover of primitive practical jokes.
6. In a detective novel, there must be a detective, and a detective is only a detective when he is stalking and investigating. His task is to collect clues that will serve as clues and ultimately point to the one who committed this low crime in the first chapter. The detective builds a chain of his conclusions based on the analysis of the collected evidence, otherwise he is likened to a negligent schoolboy who, without solving the problem, writes off the answer from the end of the problem book.
7. A detective novel simply cannot do without a corpse, and the more naturalistic this corpse is, the better. Only the murder makes the novel interesting enough. Who would read three hundred pages with excitement if it were a less serious crime! In the end, the reader should be rewarded for their concern and energy expended.
8. The mystery of the crime must be revealed in a purely materialistic way. Absolutely unacceptable are such methods of establishing the truth as divination, seances, reading other people's thoughts, divination with the help of magic crystal and so on and so forth. The reader has some chance of being as smart as a rationalistic detective, but if he is forced to compete with the spirits of the other world and chase a criminal in the fourth dimension, he is doomed to defeat. ab initio[from the very beginning (lat.)] .
9. There should be only one detective, that is, only one protagonist of the deduction, only one deus ex machina[God from the machine (lat.), that is, a face that suddenly appears (like the gods in ancient tragedies), which, by its intervention, unravels a situation that seemed hopeless]. To mobilize the minds of three, four, or even a whole detachment of detectives to unravel the mystery of a crime means not only to scatter the reader's attention and break the direct logical thread, but also unfairly put the reader in a disadvantageous position. With more than one detective, the reader does not know which one he is competing with in deductive reasoning. It's like making the reader race with a relay team.
10. The criminal should be a character who played a more or less prominent role in the novel, that is, a character who is familiar and interesting to the reader.
11. The author must not make a servant a killer. This is too easy a decision, to choose it is to evade difficulties. The perpetrator must be a person with a certain dignity - one that usually does not arouse suspicion.
12. No matter how many murders are committed in the novel, there should be only one criminal. Of course, the offender may have an assistant or accomplice providing him with some services, but the entire burden of guilt should lie on the shoulders of one person. The reader must be given the opportunity to focus all the ardor of his indignation on a single black nature.
13. In a detective novel, secret bandit societies, all sorts of Camorras and mafia, are out of place. After all, an exciting and truly beautiful murder will be irreparably damaged if it turns out that the blame falls on a whole criminal company. Of course, the murderer in a detective novel should be given hope of salvation, but allowing him to resort to the help of a secret society is already too much. No top-notch, self-respecting killer needs that kind of advantage.
14. The method of murder and the means of solving the crime must meet the criteria of rationality and scientific character. In other words, in roman policier it is unacceptable to introduce pseudo-scientific, hypothetical and purely fantastic devices. As soon as the author soars in the manner Jules Verne to fantastic heights, he finds himself outside the detective genre and frolics in the unknown expanses of the adventure genre.
15. At any moment, the solution should be obvious - provided that the reader has enough insight to solve it. By this I mean the following: if the reader, having reached the explanation of how the crime was committed, re-reads the book, he will see that the solution, so to speak, lay on the surface, that is, all the evidence actually pointed to the culprit, and, be it, the reader, as quick-witted as the detective, would have been able to solve the mystery on his own long before the final chapter. Needless to say, the savvy reader often reveals it this way.
16. Long descriptions, literary digressions on side topics, subtly subtle analysis of characters and recreation are inappropriate in a detective novel. atmosphere. All these things are irrelevant to the story of the crime and its logical disclosure. They only delay the action and introduce elements that have nothing to do with the main goal, which is to state the problem, analyze it and bring it to a successful solution. Of course, enough descriptions and well-defined characters should be introduced into the novel to give it credibility.
17. The guilt for committing a crime should never be thrown in a detective novel on a professional criminal. Crimes committed by burglars or gangsters are investigated by police departments, not by detective writers and brilliant amateur detectives. A truly spectacular crime is one committed by a pillar of the church or by an old maid who is a well-known benefactor.
18. A crime in a detective novel should not turn out to be an accident or suicide. To end an odyssey of tracking with such a downturn is to fool the gullible and kind reader.
19. All crimes in detective novels must be committed for personal reasons. International conspiracies and military politics are the domain of an entirely different literary genre - say, novels about secret intelligence services. And a detective novel about a murder must remain, how shall I put it, in cozy, domestic framework. It should reflect the reader's daily experiences and, in a sense, give vent to his own repressed desires and emotions.
20. And finally, one more point for good measure: a list of some tricks that no self-respecting author of detective novels will now use. They have been used too often and are well known to all true lovers of literary crimes. To resort to them means to sign one's writing failure and lack of originality.
a) Identification of the offender by the cigarette butt left at the scene of the crime.
b) The device of an imaginary séance with the aim of frightening the criminal and forcing him to give himself away.
c) Fake fingerprints.
d) A sham alibi provided by a dummy.
e) A dog that does not bark and allows the conclusion that the intruder was not a stranger.
f) Laying the blame for the crime on a twin brother or other relative, like two peas in a pod, similar to a suspect, but an innocent person.
g) A hypodermic syringe and a drug mixed into wine.
h) Committing a murder in a locked room after the police broke into it.
i) Establishing guilt with the help of a psychological test for naming words by free association.
j) The mystery of the code or encrypted letter, finally solved by the detective.
Van Dine S.S.
Translation V.Voronina
From the collection How to make a detective
The detective genre can be called the most popular among all the others. Detectives are read by people of all ages. Intricate plots, investigations and various adventures completely capture the reader and carry away into the mysterious world. In addition, you can choose a detective for every taste - be it historical, romantic, ironic or political.
Most books in this genre are published in series. For example, stories about Perry Mason, Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple and many others. They take the reader into a world full of surprises, experiences and new adventures.
The foreign detective story is represented by such well-known authors as Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, Joanna Khmelevskaya, Erle Stanley Gardner and many others. Among domestic writers, one can name Alexandra Marinina, Daria Dontsova, Boris Akunin, the Vainer brothers.
The main feature of the detective genre is some mysterious incident, the circumstances of which are unknown, but must be clarified. Basically, the described incident is a crime.
A distinctive feature of the detective is that the reader does not know the real circumstances of the crime until the investigation is completed. The author guides him through the whole process of revealing the incident, giving him the opportunity to make certain conclusions himself. If all the facts are described at the beginning of the book, then the work can be attributed to some related genre, but not to a detective story in its purest form.
Another important property of the described direction of literature can be called the completeness of the facts. The result of the investigation is necessarily based on the information that the reader knows. By the time the work is completed, all information must be submitted in full. Thus, the reader can find the solution himself. Only small details can remain hidden, which do not affect the result of revealing the secret. At the end, all questions must be answered, and all riddles solved.
Although detective stories are considered fiction, the plots described are often found in life.
Some types of detectives
Closed detective. A subgenre usually most closely aligned with the canons of the classic detective story. The plot is based on the investigation of a crime committed in a secluded place, where there is a strictly limited set of characters. There can be no stranger in this place, so the crime could only be committed by one of those present and the investigation is carried out by one of those at the crime scene with the help of the other heroes. Examples of closed-type detective stories: Agatha Christie "Murder on the Orient Express", "Ten Little Indians"; Boris Akunin "Leviathan"; Daria Dontsova "The Flying Pretender"; Vladimir Kuzmin "An envelope from Shanghai" (series "The Adventures of Dasha Bestuzheva").
Psychological detective. This type of detective story may somewhat deviate from the classical canons in terms of the requirement of stereotypical behavior and the typical psychology of heroes. Usually, a crime committed for personal reasons (envy, revenge) is investigated, and the main element of the investigation is the study of the personality characteristics of the suspects, their attachments, pain points, beliefs, prejudices, clarifying the past. Examples of psychological detective: Charles Dickens "The Mystery of Edwin Drood"; Fyodor Dostoyevsky "Crime and Punishment"
Historical detective is a historical work with detective intrigue. The action takes place in the past, or an ancient crime is being investigated in the present. Example: Gilbert Keith Chesterton "Father Brown"; Boris Akunin literary project "The Adventures of Erast Fandorin"; Henry Winterfeld "Detectives in Togas"; Elena Artamonova "The kingdom of the revived mummy".
Ironic detective. The detective investigation is described from a humorous point of view. Often, works written in this vein parody and ridicule the cliches of a detective novel.
Examples: Daria Dontsova (all works); Alexander Kazachinsky "Green Van"; John Khmelevskaya "Haunted House", "Treasures", "Special Merit" and others; the Funny Detective series, which includes works by various authors.
Fantastic detective. Works at the intersection of fantasy and detective. The action can take place in the future, alternative present or past, in a completely fictional world. Examples: Stanislav Lem "Investigation", "Inquiry"; Kir Bulychev cycle "Intergalactic Police" ("Intergpol"); Brothers Strugatsky "Hotel "At the Dead Alpinist"; Kirsten Miller "Kiki Strike Girl Detective".
Political detective. The main intrigue is built around political events and rivalry between various political or business figures and forces. It often happens that the main character is far from politics, however, while investigating a case, he stumbles upon an obstacle from the side of "those in power" or reveals a conspiracy. A distinctive feature of the political detective is the absence of completely positive characters, except for the main one. This genre is rarely found in its pure form, but it can be an integral part of the work. A classic example of this type is the work of Boris Akunin "State Counselor"; Eugenios Trivisas "The Last Black Cat"
Spy detective. It is based on the narrative of the activities of intelligence officers, spies and saboteurs both in wartime and in peacetime on the "invisible front". In terms of stylistic boundaries, it is very close to political and conspiracy detectives, often combined in the same work. The main difference between a spy detective and a political one is that in a political detective the most important position is occupied by the political basis of the case under investigation, while in espionage the attention is focused on intelligence work (surveillance, sabotage, etc.).
A conspiracy detective can be considered a variety of both espionage and political detective. The authors, moving towards the solution of the crime, build a narrative line into the historical past, which seems to be criminal, being in the power of some secret society.
Examples of a spy detective: Agatha Christie's "Cat Among the Pigeons"; Boris Akunin "Turkish Gambit"; Dmitry Medvedev "It was near Rovno"; Yulian Semyonov "Seventeen Moments of Spring"; Valery Ronshin "The Secret of Marshmallows in Chocolate".
Police detective. Describes the work of a team of professionals. In works of this type, the protagonist-detective is either absent or only slightly higher in importance in comparison with the rest of the team. In terms of the reliability of the plot, it is closest to reality and, accordingly, deviates to the greatest extent from the canons of the pure detective genre. The professional routine is described in detail with details that are not directly related to the plot, there is a significant proportion of accidents and coincidences, the presence of informants in the criminal environment plays an important role, the offender often remains unnamed and unknown until the very end of the investigation, and can also evade punishment due to the negligence of the investigation or lack of direct evidence.
Examples: Ed McBain cycle "87th Precinct"; Yulian Semyonov "Petrovka 38", "Ogaryova 6".
"Cool" detective. It is described most often by a lone detective, a man of 35-40 years old, or a small detective agency. In works of this type, the protagonist confronts almost the whole world: organized crime, corrupt politicians, corrupt police. The main features are the maximum action of the hero, his "coolness", the vile surrounding world and the honesty of the protagonist. Examples: Dashiell Hammett cycle about the Continental Detective Agency - is considered the founder of the genre; Raymond Chandler "Goodbye Darling", "High Window", "Lady in the Lake"; James Hadley Chase "There will be no witnesses", "The whole world in your pocket", etc.
The detective is a recognized leader among the genres of modern children's literature. And although fantasy and "virtual" adventures push him from all sides, the children's detective continues to live and develop rapidly, despite his advanced age.
Among the creators of children's detective stories there are quite venerable writers. For example, Erich Köstner, the author of the story "Emil and the Detectives", Astrid Lindgren, who wrote books about the super detective Kalle Blomkvist, Anatoly Rybakov with his famous "Dagger".
Among the authors of the modern children's detective story are Valery Ronshin, Ekaterina Vilmont, Elena Matveeva, Anton Ivanov, Anna Ustinova, Alexey Birger, Sergey Silin, Valery Gusev, Vladimir Averin, Galina Gordienko, Andrey Grushkin, and this list is far from complete. To the authors of the children's detective story, one can add the master of this genre, Boris Akunin, who published the detective story "Children's Book" and edited his "adult" novels for children.
There are many varieties of children's detective stories: everyday and historical detectives, mystical (“horror stories”) and fairy tales (their heroes are characters of Russian folklore).
For example, we can cite the series: “Black Kitten” (Elena Artamonova “Joke from the Stone Age”, Valery Gusev “Agent number one”, etc.); "Detective Agency" (Anton Ivanov, Anna Ustinova "The Mystery of the Black Widow", "The Mystery of the Missing Academician", etc.); "Abbey Secrets" (Sherit Baldry "The Spell of the Monastery Cauldron", "The Secret of the Royal Sword", "King Arthur's Cross"); "Detective + Love" (Ekaterina Vilmont "It's hard to be brave", "In search of treasures", etc.), etc.
