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The History of the Mystery. What is a Mystery?. According to Webster’s Dictionary , a mystery is any event that remains so secret or obscure as to excite curiosity.
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What is a Mystery? • According to Webster’sDictionary, a mystery is any event that remains so secret or obscure as to excite curiosity. • In literature and drama, a mystery is a novel, story, or play containing a crime or wrong-doing and the gradual discovery of who committed the act.
The First Mystery Novel • Most experts agree that the first mystery story published was Edgar Allen Poe's Murders in the Rue Morgue (1841). • That was only 162 years ago…
THE EARLY MYSTERIES • In the early days of the mystery genre, a popular form was the short tale published in magazines. • By the 1940’s, listening to Mystery Theatre productions on the radio became a common pastime in many households. Usually, these productions were performed live and broadcasted right from the radio stations. • From there, they mystery movie took off and became extremely popular among movie goers. They usually were based in an urban setting and involved a detective and distraught female. • In the 1950's, more people became exposed to mystery and detective stories when they aired as television shows. Hitchcock, Perry Mason and Dragnet, were among the first.
The Mystery Genre Today • Although mysteries were still popular in the later part of the 20th century, it wasn't until 1972 that the first bookstore opened that was dedicated entirely to mysteries. • In 1999, the only type of book that was more popular than the mystery was romance.
Other COMMON Types of Mysteries • Comic Books – Most super heroes are in search of a criminal or bad guy who already has committed or plans to commit an evil act. • Television Shows - There are SEVERAL fictional and real-life mystery series on T.V. right now. Some with resolution, and some with no definite answers. • C.S.I. • S.V.U. • Unsolved Mysteries