Definition

1. 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

1. a narrative about a murder and how the murderer is discovered