murder mystery
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A genre of fiction: A "murder mystery" is a story, typically a novel or film, centered around an unexplained killing. The plot focuses on the investigation to discover who committed the murder, often involving clues, suspects, and a detective.
- A specific story of this type: It can also refer to a single work belonging to this genre.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Agatha Christie is famous for writing clever murder mysteries.
- We watched a classic murder mystery where the detective gathered all the suspects in the library.
- The party's theme was a murder mystery, and all the guests played characters with secrets.
Advanced Usage
- As a compound modifier: The term can function adjectivally before another noun to specify a type.
- He is a murder mystery writer. (He writes in the murder mystery genre.)
- The club hosts a murder mystery night every month.
Variants and Related Words
- Whodunit (noun): An informal synonym for a murder mystery or any story dealing with a crime where the identity of the perpetrator is the main puzzle.
- That film is a classic whodunit.
- Detective story/novel (noun): A broader category that includes murder mysteries but can involve other crimes.
- Thriller (noun): A genre that may include murder mysteries but emphasizes suspense, excitement, and tension over the puzzle element.
Synonyms
- Whodunit: (Informal) A story or play about a murder in which the identity of the murderer is not revealed until the end.
- Crime novel: A novel that focuses on crime, often including a murder mystery.
Related Phrases
- To solve a murder mystery: To figure out who the killer is within the narrative.
- The reader tries to solve the murder mystery before the detective does.
- A twist in the murder mystery: An unexpected development in the plot.
- The murder mystery had a brilliant twist in the final chapter.
Noun
- a narrative about a murder and how the murderer is discovered