8 elements of detective mystery fiction
8 elements of detective mystery fiction. The reader also attempts to deduce who perpetrated a crime based on clues the author weaves into the story. 2. 1-6. The stupid friend of the detective, the Watson, must not conceal any This is one of the broadest subgenres of mystery that is characterized by a detective, or team of detectives that must work together to identify and catch killers that are beyond normal means. Misjudged death. While not all mysteries are murder mysteries, most do start with a death. Let's look at the detective vocabulary kids need to know The word detective entered the English language in the mid-1800s, but it is ultimately derived from the Latin detegere, meaning “to uncover. The first elements of detective fiction — detective, mystery, investigation — make a conjoint appearance quite early in the history of the genre. Though works combining these genres have existed Ms. These are stories about solving crime, and that means the plot should start off with, well, a crime. Cozy mysteries traditionally involve close-knit communities, often in countryside locations. Great Women Mystery Writers by Kathleen G. Element 1: A Diabolical Villain. The Secrets of Great Mystery and Suspense Fiction is rated 4. Don't let the reader into the thoughts of the prime suspects or the antagonist. 1. Lines. By understanding the critical elements of a mystery and applying them to the shorter form of the short story, you can create a compelling, satisfying read. Remember, even though you're working with a smaller word count, your Mar 19, 2021 · Thirty years ago, two teenage girls disappeared without a trace. If the reader solves the crime before the end of the story, then the reader will regard the book as simple and not feel challenged. genre. Listen to the music, watch the movies (if they existed), and even dabble in the kind of recreation that was popular at the time if that experience would help you understand your characters better. He gained his fame in early 1920s, when he began to bring to the genre many bizarre, erotic and even fantastic elements. The murder weapon might turn out to not be the real murder weapon. Click on the download button below to get a free pdf file of The Elements Of Mystery Fiction book. With its compelling narratives, intricate puzzles, and clever detectives, it offers an exciting journey for those who enjoy crime-solving adventures. Herdrich was a licensed Private Detective for over 20 years, specializing in criminal defense, fraud, and locate investigations ranging from adoption searches to witness locates. That’s the quick-and-simple answer. The most common twist normally occurs at the end, when the last person the Feb 18, 2023 · Here are 21 examples of mystery tropes for writers to consider and subvert when writing their evil antagonists, intuitive sleuths, and suspicious red herrings. Explore plot twists, crime-solving techniques, intriguing characters, suspenseful settings, and more in our collection of captivating detective stories. Acknowledging Jesper Gulddal and Stewart King’s objections to defining crime fiction as formulaic (2020), the article draws on John G. More realistic mysteries reflective of actual police investigative and forensic crime-solving methods have arisen in more recent years. This is the so-called ‗puzzle element‘: the presentation of the mystery as an ongoing problem for the reader to solve, and its power to engage the reader‘s own reasoning abilities. Jan 16, 2024 · The Cambridge Companion to Crime Fiction by Martin Priestman (Editor) Publication Date: 2003. The detectives in such stories are often amateurs, and are frequently women. 7. This theme explores the psychological and moral complexities of retribution, making for gripping and Whether set in Europe, featuring European characters, or written by European authors, there is no denying the richness and variety of European mystery fiction. These works are set in a time period considered historical from the author's perspective, and the central plot involves the solving of a mystery or crime (usually murder). Crime Fiction came to be recognised as a distinct literary genre, with specialist writers and a devoted readership, in the 19th century. All were parts of a male-oriented fiction with the shared elements of idealized male protagonists braving physical danger and escalating threat that built to The Elements Of Mystery Fiction. The term comes from the Latin mysterium, meaning “a secret thing. Detective fiction, itself a subgenre of crime and mystery fiction, has subgenres of its own: In a ‘whodunnit’ or ‘whodunit’, the reader shares the detective’s work. Hardboiled (or hard-boiled) fiction is a literary genre that shares some of its characters and settings with crime fiction (especially detective fiction and noir fiction). Jan 27, 2022 · While mysteries will vary a bit by subgenre, most of them contain the following elements: Step One: The Hook. " Here Poe introduces C. Within each part style, voice, psychological depth, action, dialogue, and setting are up to your discernment. The detective genre began around the same time as speculative fiction and other genre fiction in the mid-nineteenth century and has remained extremely Sep 16, 2022 · The first Chinese proto-mysteries—that is, mysteries who some but not all of the elements of modern mystery fiction—were the “gong’an” (“court case”) stories. It died down but is now popular once again, due in part to online publishing venues. First and foremost, a great crime thriller demands a diabolical villain, someone who is cunning and creative, a murderous savant who’s always a step ahead of the authorities. This includes the form that most readers regard as a mystery, which is the traditional detective story, but a category of literature that also includes the police Jun 14, 2023 · First things first – the crime. a pattern in detective ction that is “textually coherent across a period of. Auguste Dupin, the detective who, through his superior intellect and brilliant powers of observation and deduction, sorts out the clues and identifies the Dec 2, 2020 · 5. an ‗unsolved mystery' or a baffling problem which May 10, 2018 · This includes the form that most readers regard as a mystery, which is the traditional detective story but a category of literature that also includes the police procedural, the hard-boiled novel, the tale of psychological suspense, the crime novel, and the thriller. Sometimes the crime takes place on the page, and other times the characters only discover the aftermath. Sneed’s eyes gleamed as she picked up a picture book. Ensuring that the reader is your number one detective – Even though Revenge-Driven Plots: Unravelling the Threads of Retribution. The investigation leads to a secret society believed to have been dissolved centuries ago. This book definitely worth reading, it is an Nov 12, 2023 · Mystery: Definition as a Literary Genre. The Thirteen Problems (Miss Marple #1) – Agatha Christie. Jul 13, 2023 · ered to belong to the same genre. The biggest challenge is knowing when to reveal certain pieces of information to your readers so they remain interested and keep reading right up until the big reveal at the end. The Only Child is her first historical crime mystery. The crime in this book takes place in the claustrophobic confines of a girls’ boarding May 20, 2024 · Detective fiction is a subgenre of crime fiction and mystery fiction in which an investigator or a detective —whether professional, amateur or retired—investigates a crime, often murder. It is here that a stranger approaches him with a job: to locate a missing white woman. 2. Nov 21, 2023 · The mystery fiction genre is literature that focuses on solving a crime or crime-related puzzle. S. The detective story originated in the mid-nineteenth century. He is a made-up persona that Edgar Allan Poe constructed. Idea/description. 160 years (1829–1989)” (2016, 15 Nov 20, 2013 · The mystery genre is a relatively young one at 200 years, and it’s undergone a lot of changes since its inception, but two things have remained consistent: there’s got to be a crime and it’s got to be solved. There are many elements to consider when writing crime fiction, so we've broken down the most important steps into eight easy tips. 5 out of 5 by . Address any personal stakes introduced earlier in the story. The traditional elements of the detective story are: (1) the seemingly perfect crime; (2) the wrongly accused suspect at whom circumstantial evidence points; (3) the bungling of dim-witted police; (4) the greater powers of observation and superior mind of the detective; and (5) the startling and unexpected denouement, in which the detective In "The Ten Commandments of Detective Fiction," an article on the website MysteryList, S. Apr 26, 2018 · Detective/crime-related narratives have become a major part of television programming, with networks basing their entire primetime schedule around crime-related series. The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Revenge-driven plots add a dark and visceral element to murder mystery stories. The introduction of men devoted to solving crime offered a model of personal struggle between detective and criminal that has lasted as one of the basic characteristics of the mystery story. As the author, it’s your job to draw the reader’s attention to the right things at precisely the right moment. Sep 30, 2011 · The Elements of Mystery Fiction: Writing the Modern Whonunit has guided and inspired mystery writer veterans as well as beginners—for nearly a decade. In a bustling metropolis, a seasoned detective stumbles upon a series of murder victims, each branded with an ancient symbol. Last updated: Jan 27, 2022 • 5 min read. Oct 16, 2023 · The Golden Age of Detective Fiction, which took place primarily during the 1920s and 1930s, had a significant impact on the development of the Young Adult Mystery genre. Many times, this is a murder that must be solved or avenged. The suspects have very defined personalities and generally a difficult past, perhaps repressed or unknown. The Golden Age of Detective Fiction was an era of classic murder mystery novels of similar patterns and styles, predominantly in the 1920s and 1930s. The popularity of detective fiction in the 19th century can be attributed to several key factors: 1. Within the interest in crime, which the English exhibited, the female criminal held a special interest. Klein (Editor) Sep 27, 2019 · While crime thrillers come in many different varieties, the great ones generally share at least five essential elements. Auguste Dupin is a reclusive character who is contacted by the police when they are unable to solve the crime. Some argue that the first detective novel had appeared over a The first Sherlock Holmes novel, A Study in Scarlet came out in 1887, and Doyle continued to write Sherlock Holmes novels and short stories until around 1927. The genre has its roots in the early 20th century and has Nov 14, 2023 · Provide a clear understanding of the “whys” and “hows. The Elements Of Mystery Fiction Book in PDF, ePub and Kindle version is available to download in english. Show the impact of the resolution on the characters, particularly the protagonist. TV Shows: Law & Order: SVU, Dragnet, Narcos. Crime fiction typically revolves around a crime, often a murder, which seems impossible to solve. [1] It is usually distinguished from mainstream fiction and other genres such as Feb 13, 2013 · The first detective novel is often held to be The Moonstone (1868) by Dickens’s friend and collaborator, Wilkie Collins. The Secret Place is the fifth book in her Dublin murder squad series. The detective must not light on any clues which are not instantly produced for the inspection of the reader. Kayte Nunn is the author of six novels, including The Botanist's Daughter which was awarded the 2021 Winston Graham Prize for historical fiction. Mystery elements include plot, characters, and setting. Literary Genre – Mystery: In the realm of literature, this genre is characterized by narratives that revolve around the solving of a puzzle, often involving a crime, enigma, or a perplexing event. Nov 29, 2023 · The Cat Who Could Read Backwards (The Cat Who…. This period, characterized by the works of authors like Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. When readers ask what are cozy mysteries, I explain they’re mysteries without on-the-page violence, physical intimacy or naughty words. He is an Honorably Discharged member of the United States Army Military Police Corps, and a member of Veterans for Peace. In two essays, George Grella (Winks, ed. The best way to ensure this is to nail your story structure! The Hard-Boiled Detective Novel. Nov 7, 2023 · The Secret Place by Tana French (2014) Tana French is one of the most popular mystery novelists writing today; I know multiple previously reluctant readers who now swear by her books. Many Aug 2, 2022 · Psychological thrillers share many of their key elements with mystery and crime fiction, but the investigation, rather than being based on the search for evidence and clues, is focus on the psychological motives of the characters. Born in Singapore, she has lived in England, the United States (in the Apr 6, 2020 · 4. Although its basic form has remained intact, the genre has branched into numerous subgenres: espionage, gothic, psychological suspense, police procedural, courtroom, whodunit, the conspicuously British drawing room mystery, and even to a certain degree the horror story. This is partly because of the social tension before World War II Seemingly Unsolvable. It needs to be compelling, it needs to be intriguing, and above all, it needs to demand answers. It makes sure that the reader feels invested in a plot and character. Easy Rawlins, a Black World War II veteran in 1940s Los Angeles, visits a local bar after being fired from working at a defense factory plant. One of the guiding principles of pacing is making sure that your form follows content, creating a compelling congruency that will keep your reader plunging forward, immersed in a story. However, The Notting Hill Mystery (1862-3) predates it by five years. In the 1940s, film noir emerged, and in the 1950s noir fiction saw its heyday. In this article, we will explore the eight key elements that define this intriguing genre. It was published under a pseudonym; the real author has never been conclusively proved. Derek B. e. The Golden Age proper is in practice usually taken to refer to a type of fiction which was predominant in the 1920s and 1930s but had been written since at least 1911 and is still being written Detective Fiction often spends a lot of time describing the setting and giving facts to help the reader play along to solve the crime. According to Encyclopedia the difference between mystery and detective fiction is mystery books require hidden secrets, which over the course of the text are revealed or discovered. However, in all the texts a significant crime drives the narrative and the execution and Sep 30, 2011 · The Elements of Mystery Fiction. Keeping the above elements in mind, here are some clues for how to write cozy mysteries: 1. 8 Tips for Writing Mystery or Crime Fiction. ” stories can be either fictional or nonfictional, and can focus on both supernatural and non-supernatural topics. Dupin has keen powers of observation and points out to his companion, who narrates, that “the necessary knowledge is of what to observe. Think about detective movies: they often begin with an exciting, dramatic scene where a crime is committed. The central pillar of any good mystery is the push-and-pull between question and answer. And the queen of his age was Agatha Christie. Crime fiction, detective story, murder mystery, mystery novel, and police novel are terms used to describe narratives that centre on criminal acts and especially on the investigation, either by an amateur or a professional detective, of a crime, often a murder. We’re about to read our first mystery!”. A story that actively engages readers in solving the mystery (or in trying to piece together the narrative threads) needs at least 7 elements: A strong hook. Pop culture - If you plan to write a mystery that takes place in the past, immerse yourself in the pop culture of the time. Remember the human impacts of crime. Short, racy, and full of surprises, it will leave you no time to catch your breath. Build tension throughout the story. 1920 to 1939 came to be known as the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. Central to these works is the element of suspense, as characters—typically detectives or amateur sleuths Aug 8, 2022 · To keep structure simple, think of your mystery novel as having four parts. Ted Underwood, for example, identi es. During her lifetime, Agatha Christie wrote sixty-six detective novels Feb 18, 2016 · 23 Comments. Jan 4, 2024 · January 4, 2024 By Patricia Sargeant, writing as Olivia Matthews. 1-5. Cozy mysteries (also referred to as cosy mysteries or cozies ), are a sub-genre of crime fiction in which sex and violence occur offstage, the detective is an amateur sleuth, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially intimate community. Ebook. Rampo was an admirer of western mystery writers. Crime novels feature a variety of crimes, which keeps the genre fresh and exciting. Writing a mystery short story requires a careful balance of plot, character development, and suspense. May 7, 2018 · I tend to embrace a wide range of fiction into the mystery genre, defining it as any work of fiction in which a crime or the threat of a crime is central to the theme or plot. mystery story, ages-old popular genre of tales dealing with the unknown as revealed through human or worldly dilemmas; it may be a narrative of horror and terror, a pseudoscientific fantasy, a crime-solving story, an account of diplomatic intrigue, an affair of codes and ciphers and secret societies, or any situation involving an enigma. The historical mystery or historical whodunit is a subgenre of two literary genres, historical fiction and mystery fiction. In this lesson, students examine a somewhat controversial list of conventions for the mystery genre before analyzing The Hound of the Baskervilles for these traits. , $26) felt especially Edogawa Rampo is the first Japanese modern mystery writer and the founder of the Detective Story Club in Japan. You could go with a classic murder mystery or serial-killer It soon distinguished itself from detective stories with its fast-paced storytelling, gritty scenarios, and use of sex as a means of advancing the plot. The detective from "The Purloined Letter" is C. Have a look at this extract as a whole and summarise the main idea or description in each paragraph in a single word (or less than a sentence). Click title to read. Grab some banners to teach elements of mystery. Tapply, with more than 20 popular mystery and suspense novels under his belt, isolates the crucial "elements" of the mystery novels that publishers want to publish and readers want to read—original plots, clever clues . The rest is (almost) up to the writer. Earlier novels and stories were typically devoid of systematic attempts at detection: There was a detective, whether amateur or professional, trying to figure out how and by whom a Mystery (pronounced mis -t uh -ree, ) is a genre of literature whose stories focus on a puzzling crime, situation, or circumstance that needs to be solved. Sep 14, 2022 · Kayte Nunn. These stories were based on the cases of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, which was formed in 1850 and is still recognizable with its motto, "We Jan 22, 2024 · Mystery fiction is a popular literary genre set around a crime, usually a murder or series of murders. The story usually follows a protagonist, or detective, who tries to solve the crime and reveal the Pacing is perhaps the most advanced of the elements of suspense. In these narratives, the driving force behind the crime is often a deep-seated desire for vengeance. Dec 7, 2021 · This year’s crime fiction crop also featured several fresh spins on World War II. Death By Darjeeling (A Tea Shop Mystery #1) – Laura Childs. The Postman Always Rings Twice is often lauded the most important crime book of the 20th century, and it's not hard to see why. Here William G. Mar 18, 2024 · Investigate the gripping history of mystery suspense fiction with a renowned literature professor, and discover the fascinating evolution of this captivating genre. Van Dine, a popular detective-fiction author from the 1920s, wrote that the reader must uncover clues and unravel puzzles at the same rate as the detective, and that the writer cannot play special tricks on the reader to extend the mystery or suspense Sep 8, 2021 · Last updated: Sep 8, 2021 • 5 min read Writing a mystery novel is like creating a puzzle. Inheriting the legacy of mystery and suspense from American writers, Europe took the genre far more seriously. Most readers of mystery novels expect one or more twists. This seemingly unsolvable crime sets things in motion and throws the story down a path to somehow find out what happened. 1 Elements of crime writing. Her previous books have been sold into twelve territories. This was a key to defining the Golden Age. Hardboiled crime stories and detective antiheroes help define classic noir fiction, a genre of mystery writing that takes a grim view of the human condition. : 1988) provides the students of mystery fiction with a marvelous historical perspective of detective and mystery writing. The detective must not himself commit the crime. Oct 1, 2021 · Abstract. Also known as ‘cozies’, cozy mysteries are a subgenre of crime fiction that is more on puzzle-solving, and less on violence. In the first essay, “The Formal Detective Novel”, Grella lays out the elements of a very British form of writing. Auguste Dupin. ”. Read online anytime anywhere directly from your device. May 8, 2013 · The thriller arose and became popular in the same time period as the western and the hard-boiled detective novel (which grafted the danger and violence of the thriller onto the mystery). No accident must ever help the detective, nor must he ever have an unaccountable intuition which proves to be right. Give the illusion that characters are living lives off the page so that the reader can make guesses as to Crime fiction in history. Edward J. Email Me. It demands a keen sense for plot, characterization and creating suspense. Contact: Belk Library and Information Commons Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608-2026 tel: 828-262-2798 Curator of the Stock Car Racing Collection. And a few weeks ago, the vicar of the local parish hanged himself in the nave of the church. Rated 5 out of 5 by Thanuja from Excellent course!This is an excellent course! 2: Learn effective elements of detective fiction plots. The four main elements of crime fiction are: A crime: The commission of a crime is a significant plot element in crime fiction. Detective fiction is related, but with one important addition - the detective is involved. Photograph by George Douglas / Picture Post / Getty Dec 29, 2022 · Mystery and Crime Fiction: Overview. Publication Date: 2008. Someone might confess to a crime even though he didn't really do it. Mystery fiction was born in 1841 when Graham's Magazine published Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Murders in the Rue Morgue. Twists can involve almost any aspect of the story. Cozy mystery is a subgenre of crime fiction. The Elderly Woman's Wisdom: A wise elderly woman solves crime in her small community. Classic types of this genre include locked room, drawing room, and hard-boiled mysteries. And often, that death is misdiagnosed as an accidental death, a suicide, or natural causes when Oct 12, 2017 · Poe’s fictional detective C. Each form has its practitioners, each its fans. Allow them to experience growth, closure, or transformation as a result of solving the mystery. As the police officer gets closer to solving the case, he becomes the next target. Lesson 2: Introduction to the Author / Crime Fiction Lesson 3: Introduction to the Character – Holmes and Watson Lesson 4: Introduction to Character Types Lesson 5: Reading - The Boscombe Valley Mystery Lesson 6: Plot Structure in Detective / Crime Fiction Lesson 7: Setting in Detective / Crime Fiction Lesson 8: Invent Your Own Detective! 10) In his book Detective Fiction : Cultural history of Literature, Charles J. #1) – Lilian Jackson Braun. Rise of Industrialization and Urbanization: The rapid growth of cities during the 19th century resulted in an increase in crime rates, creating a sense of fear and intrigue among the public. Sep 12, 2023 · Characters – all mysteries need a villain, a sleuth and a number of suspects that could each have a motive to commit the crime. Eliot had become one of the genre’s most passionate and discerning readers. Cozies thus stand in contrast to hardboiled fiction, in which more violence Creating mystery and detective fiction from real-life scenarios continued in the United States with the publication of the Pinkerton detective series, written by Allan Pinkerton (1819–1884). As Agatha Award-winning mystery author Amanda Flower puts it, cozy mysteries are often ‘small town stories in which an Jun 1, 2017 · The Gothic era is characterized by the horrific and unknown; death, psychological degeneration, and mystery are the typical elements intertwined in Gothic literature. Learn more about both classic and contemporary noir fiction and tips for writing noir novels of your own. Travel through France, Germany, Italy, and Spain to see how the genre The mystery genre is in some ways the most stable and recognizable of the genres of fiction, but its popularity has lead to updating, altering, and critiquing its conventions. Choose Your Crime. Dec 17, 2020 · About the Author. Movies: The Blue Lamp, Detective Story, The Guilty. There may be more than one crime in some crime fiction, especially those that centre on the criminals themselves as protagonists. As Rawlins investigates the case, what he uncovers brings Feb 24, 2020 · Readers typically read both categories. Told in the form of oral performances and puppetry shows, the gong’an began appearing during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). A guide to printed and Internet sources of information on mystery and crime fiction, writers, organizations, and more. Active reader involvement in piecing together information. As we touched on in the previous section, this isn’t just any event; it’s the catalyst, the spark that ignites the flame of your story. Detective fiction is such an integral part of the current literary landscape that many people have difficulty remembering all its subgenres, popular works, and notable authors. Poe makes clues available throughout the story, thereby Aug 30, 2023 · 6. He is renowned for his analytical thinking and strong observational abilities. Via Minotaur. Reverend Jack Brooks, a single parent with a fourteen-year-old daughter and a heavy conscience, arrives in the village hoping for a fresh start. Detective mystery fiction is a beloved genre that has captivated readers for many years. The Serial Killer's Diary: An investigative journalist receives a journal detailing a serial killer's crimes. But, to satisfy the mystery reader’s desire for a puzzle, following this four-part structure will help you meet reader expectations. Rzepka defines four major components which contribute in building up a detective story-the first being the self-proclaimed detective who carries out the investigation throughout the plot; the second constituent i. Cozy mystery. Do you want to: reveal the identity of criminal (usually a murderer) in the beginning? Feb 2, 2016 · Well before detective stories came into literary vogue, T. There is enormous overlapping of these sub-genres and it is often difficult to Sep 12, 2019 · 4. In the case of Elements of crime writing, many of the texts pre-date the crime fiction genre that emerged as a recognisable literary genre in the mid-19 th century and with academic recognition in the 20 th century. “Now put on your detective’s hats – and listen for detective vocabulary. Sep 29, 2023 · The term “Cozy Mystery” refers to a subgenre of crime fiction in which sex and violence are downplayed or treated humorously, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially intimate community. Detective fiction helped satisfy the curiosity of Feb 24, 2023 · Devil in a Blue Dress (Easy Rawlins #1) by Walter Mosley. Sayers, and Arthur Conan Doyle, saw a surge in popularity of mystery novels. Keep the reader in the dark. ”The label “detective” was not in common usage until there were actual official detectives, which did not happen until the mid-Victorian period, especially after the detective branch of the Metropolitan Police was instituted in 1842 with eight Discover the essential elements of detective mystery fiction on FictionLine. In an Misdirection and Twists. An intelligent detective who leads the investigation and helps to solve the mystery is an integral part of any detective fiction. Cawelti’s classic work on the mystery and Mar 5, 2004 · Carl Malmgren divides crime narratives into three main sub-genres: mystery fiction, typified by Agatha Christie-like novels; detective fiction, the category to which the Gunther novels ostensibly Jan 27, 2022 · Written by MasterClass. Creating a mysterious atmosphere using setting and descriptive language – An air of mystery adds to the mood and makes for a thrilling read. Cain. Writing a mystery novel is challenging. Typically a group of people Jun 23, 2023 · Conclusion. The genre's typical protagonist is a detective who battles the violence of organized crime that flourished during Prohibition (1920–1933) and its aftermath, while dealing with a legal system that has become as corrupt as Mar 5, 2024 · A long list of crime writing prompts. Critical Survey of Mystery and Detective Fiction by Carl Rollyson (Editor) Call Number: PN3448 D4 C75 2008, Vols. Oct 12, 2022 · One of its foremost members, Ronald Knox (author of the Miles Bredon mysteries—the best of them 1934’s Still Dead) wrote that “A detective story must have as its main interest the unraveling of a mystery; a mystery whose elements are clearly presented to the reader”. Miller’s HOW TO FIND YOUR WAY IN THE DARK (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 368 pp. ds ay ks df en sm mi fb yv kh