The genre of detective literature – murder/mystery – has never actually experienced a period of absence. Much like the action adventure or the romance, it is a broad enough category to appeal to a wide audience. Yet what is it about detective stories that continues to engage audiences across time, across societies and across cultures? Is it that we all fundamentally like to solve puzzles? Or is it that we like being carried along with a brilliant sleuthing mind? Often it is discussed that we love the "I figured it out before the hero" sensation. So do we just like feeling smart? There are a myriad of great detective stories out there, but it would be worth honing in on the two most enduring, which is the 'Sherlock Holmes' stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, and the Agatha Christie mysteries that feature a number of different lead detectives, including Hercule Poirot. So what do you think? Why does everyone seem to want to be a detective?
True crime and mystery podcasts might be a good thing to reference in your article! The My Favorite Murder podcast following is a good example of this. – Nicole Wethington6 years ago
I would take a guess that it is the suspense in the middle of a routine life. Perhaps to some people, because nothing exciting/suspenseful tends to happen everyday, it is the ache for action that drives them to detective literature. I am sure there are articles out there that touch on the hunger for "more". – Yvonne T.6 years ago
