Linwood Barclay's Fear The Worst

There are many elements that once put together make up a mystery novel. Fear the Worst by Linwood Barclay displays various elements that make it fit the mystery genre, such as having a plot that focuses on solving a mystery, making the protagonist take the role of a detective that finds themselves in danger, and including cliffhanger chapter closings. A mystery has a plot that revolves around solving a mystery or puzzle. The mystery that takes place in the novel involves all the characters in some shape or form. For starters, "When I got back to the house, it was empty. Syd did not come home that night. Or the next night. Or the night after that" (Lee 18). This is where the mystery that needs to be solved is introduced. The mystery here being, where is Tim's daughter Syd. From this point on the whole plot is based on solving the mystery of what happened to Syd. Since this is the main point of the novel it was introduced in the beginning of the book. From this point on, the reader is trying to figure out the answer or solution to the mystery. In addition, "The main plot, or key events, in a mystery novel or short story focuses on the crime that needs solving." ("Mystery Genre: Definition,

The cliffhanger always has the reader at the edge of their seat, which is an important element in any good mystery novel. This is displayed after this shocking discovery, "More smears of what appeared to be on the door handle, "I see it," I said, "It's blood, isn't it?" " That'd be my guess, yes," Kip Jennings said" (Lee 75). After revealing this the chapter is finished. Once the reader read this part of the story, they are going to automatically start coming up with possible answers as to who's blood it is. This sense of unknown and suspense is what drives readers to the mystery genre. In addition, "Having to hold various possible conclusions at bay as you wait to see what happens; reader is