Why I Put Hidden Clues in My Mystery Stories
Why I Put Hidden Clues in My Mystery Stories Have you ever read a mystery, decided you knew who was responsible, and then discovered you were completely wrong? I love that moment! As a mystery writer, one of my favorite things to do is give readers clues. Some are important. Others might lead you in the wrong direction. And sometimes, a small detail that seems unimportant at first turns out to matter much more than you expected. But here's something I really enjoy: readers don't always notice the same things I do when I write a story. And that's part of the fun! The Secret Behind a Good Mystery Imagine you're visiting a farm, and someone tells you that a prize-winning cow has disappeared. You might immediately wonder: Did someone steal the cow? Did it escape? Who was the last person to see it? Why would anyone want to take it? Now imagine that, while searching for the cow, you discover a strange key, overhear a suspicious conversation, and notice someone acting differ...