The Adventure of the Speckled Band and the Detective Story

One of the most important features in a detective story is the very beginning. If the beginning does not grab the reader's attention, then the entire story might be uninteresting or difficult for the reader to become involved in. The beginning sets up the mood and it provides background information regarding the mystery. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes The Adventure of the Speckled Band begins like a good detective story; it grabs the reader's attention. It makes the reader want to continue with the story, in order to find out more information. The story is written clearly and eventually you feel as though you are working with Holmes and Dr. Watson to solve the case. A key feature in a detective story is the detective himself and his friend/sidekick. The story is told from the view point of Holmes's friend, Dr. Watson. It gives a different perspective and makes the story more interesting. Another key feature in a detective story is how the detective solves the mystery. It is somewhat like the scientific method. Observing, experimenting, creating a hypothesis. The detectives must obtain clues and obtain information in order to hypothesize and eventually, through experimenting, they create a conclusion. Sometimes detective stories create a surprising ending. All of these factors combined, make an exciting and fun, but yet methodical, in the research and obtaining clues, story that is enjoyable to read. I have seen many "Poirot" movies based off of Agatha Christie's detective books. The main detective Poirot, is similar to Holmes in that he has a friend who helps him on cases. Poirot's friend, Hastings, is like Dr. Watson. So there is a detective and his sidekick.
-Margaret Neville