Mystery Assignment

The following information can be answered through the use of the Internet.  Working with another student (2 to a group unless we have an odd number-then there is one in a group), you have today to collect as much information as possible.   

It is to your advantage to not share answers with other groups.  The group that gets the most correct answers will get the hot chocolate and doughnuts.


Use Word to cut and paste your answers and the URL of where you found the information. 

See if you can find the answers to the following questions:

1. Who is credited with creating the prototype of the mystery story?

2. What was the title of the first mystery story written by a woman?

3. How many novels did Agatha Christie write in her life time?
4. What decade was called the Golden Age of the mystery story?

5. Read this Mickey Spillane styled sentence and translate. Find a web site that will help you speak like a "hard-boiled" detective.

"The sucker with the schnozzle poured a slug but before he could scram out two shamuses showed him the shiv and said they could send him over."

6. Identify the hobbies or occupations of the following detectives:

  • Nero Wolf (hobby)
  • Dick Frances' characters (hobby and occupations)
  • Charlie Chan (occupation)
  • Perry Mason (occupation)
  • Jessica Fletcher (occupation)
  • Quincy (occupation)

7. Where can you find the "formula" for a Charlie Chan mystery?  What is the formula?

8. Name three TV detective stories from the 50s, three from the 60s, three from the 70s, and three from the 80s.

 

OK, Lady, can you identify the clown who mugged you?
9. What is Pulp Fiction (not the movie?)

10. What are the eleven missing days?  Who was involved?  What is it believed that happened to him or her?

11. What does Film Noir mean?

12. Which modern mystery writer is know for her ABC approach?

13. How many mystery stories are catalogued in our library?

14. In the mystery genre, who are the irregulars?

15. Which detective show starred Bruce Willis?

16. Which detective show had a "James Bond" star?

17. In the rules for writing a detective story, what does it say about having more than one murderer?  A love interest for the Detective?  Who wrote these rules?

18. Name three mystery stories that E.A. Poe wrote.

19. Who are Manfred B. Lee and Frederic Dannay?

20. What is the "Black Mask?"

21. Identify the following characters and their detective novels, TV shows and/or movies:

  1. Lenny Briscoe
  2. John McClane
  3. Professor Moriarty
  4. Robin Masters
  5. Alex Cross
  6. Daphne Blake
  7. Laura Holt
  8. Archie Goodwin
  9. Jane Marple
  10. Auguste Dupin
  11. Della Street
  12. Philip Marlow
  13. Nick Starkey
  14. Harriet Vane

22. What is unique about the plot step up of Columbo in the mystery story genre?

23. What is FBI Agent Fox Mulder's badge number?

24. What is the read name of the author of Nancy Drew?

25. What do Banachek and V.I. Warshawski have in common?

 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 


       

 

The post office wants to celebrate today's mystery writers with a new series of stamps.  Design a stamp or a set of stamps for your author.  Need ideas on how to do it?  Check out Detective Fiction on Stamps.