The Formula for every Mystery Plot
Every mystery story can be boiled down to the following four steps.
1. A Puzzle Appears
2. A Curious Sleuth begins their quest
3. Sleuth discovers Clues and Setbacks
4. Sleuth reveals the Truth
1. A Puzzle Appears (A Crime takes place)
This is the event that poses the question of the mystery. In a murder mystery, this event would be the murder. In a medical mystery, this event may be a patient who’s admitted with strange symptoms. In a science fiction mystery, this event may be the appearance of an UFO.
2. A Curious Character (the "sleuth") begins their quest to solve the puzzle
This step involves introducing the investigator (and their talents/skills). Perhaps a detective gets the call that a body has been found. Perhaps an amateur sleuth decides to investigate the crime they witnessed.
3. The sleuth discovers clues and encounters setbacks
The sleuth conducts their investigation. This step is often the longest part of the story. In a crime mystery, this step involves the sleuth conducting interviews and gathering evidence. In a medical mystery, the doctors conduct their tests.
4. The sleuth uncovers and reveals the truth
Step one poses a question (“who killed the victim?”, “what is this alien phenomena?”, “what ailment does the patient have?”). This step answers that question. A murder mystery always ends with the identification of the criminal, and possibly the arrest (if law enforcement is present). If the question in step one is not answered here, readers will ask themselves why they spent so much time reading the entire story. Aim to satisfy your readers in this step.