A mystery novel template / cheatsheet / outline

1 Jun 2016 Plot and Story

Here is a proposed mystery novel template / cheatsheet / outline / structure. As always, I’m always open to suggestions for how to improve it, so if you would like to share your ideas, just let me know!

Act One

Present the crime

Introduce the sleuth

Offer plausible suspects

Introduce crime complications

Introduce private life subplot

Act Two

Initial investigations and interrogations reveal clues

Disappearance of one suspect

Raise the stakes

Development of sub plot

Act Three

Reveal hidden motives of stakeholders

Unsatisfying solution reached

Return to overlooked clue from act one

Resolution of subplot

Confrontation with perpetrator

Resolution