Detective story: meaning, definitions and examples
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detective story
[ dɪˈtɛktɪv ˈstɔːri ]
literature
A detective story is a genre of fiction in which a detective, either an amateur or a professional, solves a crime or a series of crimes. These stories typically involve a mysterious event, clues, suspects, and a resolution. Detective stories are known for their suspenseful and intriguing plots.
Synonyms
mystery novel, whodunit.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| detective story |
A narrative genre involving a detective (professional, amateur, or retired) who investigates and solves a crime or series of crimes.
|
| mystery novel |
A novel that involves solving a mystery, typically involving a crime or a puzzle. It often keeps readers guessing until the end.
|
| whodunit |
A plot-driven mystery where the main focus is figuring out the identity of the perpetrator. This term is more informal and popular in colloquial use.
|
Examples of usage
- The detective story I read last night had a surprising twist at the end.
- She enjoys writing detective stories in her free time.
Translations
Translations of the word "detective story" in other languages:
🇵🇹 história de detetive
🇮🇳 जासूसी कहानी
🇩🇪 Detektivgeschichte
🇮🇩 cerita detektif
🇺🇦 детективна історія
🇵🇱 powieść detektywistyczna
🇯🇵 探偵小説
🇫🇷 roman policier
🇪🇸 novela de detectives
🇹🇷 dedektif hikayesi
🇰🇷 탐정 소설
🇸🇦 قصة تحرٍ
🇨🇿 detektivní příběh
🇸🇰 detektívny príbeh
🇨🇳 侦探小说
🇸🇮 detektivska zgodba
🇮🇸 rannsóknarsaga
🇰🇿 детективтік оқиға
🇬🇪 დეტექტიური ამბავი
🇦🇿 dedektiv hekayəsi
🇲🇽 novela de detectives
Etymology
The detective story genre has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' is often considered one of the first detective stories. The genre gained popularity with Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series and Agatha Christie's novels. Detective stories continue to captivate readers and inspire adaptations in various forms of media.