The detective novel genre is one of the most notable categories of short fiction. The Sherlock Holmes stories are true masterpieces created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and the use of elements of detective stories contributed to their popularity. In “The Adventure of the Speckled Band,” the author uses genre opportunities to arouse readers' interest and keep them in suspense until the end of the narrative. By considering the key elements of the story, namely the characters, setting, plot, problem and solution, it is possible to trace specific techniques that help create an atmosphere of mystery in this case. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay To begin with, characters play a central role in the context of a short story. In this regard, “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” is no exception. The particularities of the genre are confirmed: the main characters are the criminal (Dr Roylott), the possible victim (Helen) and the detective (Holmes). The figure of the criminal is predominant since he is the driving force behind the unfolding of events. Describing Dr. Roylott, the author introduces another popular technique of detective novels: some secondary characters may attempt to confuse the main character and the reader. Hélène provides important information about her father-in-law: “He had no friends except the wandering gypsies, and he allowed these vagabonds to camp on the few acres of land covered with brambles. » We can consider the gypsies as another criminal character in the story because they are suspected of being responsible for Julia's death. However, this is an erroneous speculation and this technique is an effective instrument to mislead. Moreover, the main victim is Helen because her life is in danger. Although her sister Julia is also the victim, little is known about her and the narrator emphasizes that solving this mystery is more about saving Helen. Indeed, the expected damage from the threat can be avoided in the moment, and it becomes the priority of the characters' actions. Apparently, a detective novel should portray the person who solves the problem as the main character. As in all Sherlock Holmes stories, the duo of Mr. Holmes and Mr. Watson are the center of readers' attention, and they not only solve the mystery, but also manage to save Helen Stoner. However, Watson is a more peripheral character since his function is to relate and assist Holmes rather than actively participating in the investigation. Overall, the characters in the story correspond to the image of typical characters in detective stories. Another essential element of a detective novel is the setting. This feature concerns the location of the action which the author is supposed to describe in such detail that readers can imagine the scene. This becomes particularly interesting when the environment is ordinary, because the contrast between the secret circumstances and the presumed harmless circumstances adds to the lack of understanding. Detective novels can be subdivided into several types, and the story under discussion belongs to the locked room mystery subtype. As the term suggests, these are criminal events that occurred in a closed setting. The only explanation of events concerns the actions of the characters present, and the figure of the detective opposes the enclosed homosocial environment. Thus, this type is distinguished by a limited scope for criminal action. In the context of the story, the family environment is given. The Mystery of the Locked Room is Classic: “…the door had been closed from the inside and the windows were blocked by old-style shutters with large iron bars, which were closed every night. The walls were carefully probed and found to be quite strong all around, and the floor covering was also carefully examined, with the same result. Doyle displays the rooms of the house, the strange whistles and thuds. Taken together, these details are just small steps toward resolution. At the end of the story, the setting becomes the central object of consideration because it determines the detection of the crime. The plot is about the story itself with its structure which ideally consists of a clear beginning, a middle section and an ending. all necessary descriptions and details included to make it even more interesting. The detective genre implies that a secret becomes a central element of the plot and, little by little, the story moves towards the climax where the criminal is revealed. However, the detective genre has never been simply a question of “who did it?” – rather it is about reflecting society and places. Accordingly, the plot serves as an external instrument for shaping the story and, at the same time, as an internal reference point when a reader reflects on social issues and phenomena. All these characteristics are traced in the story of Sherlock Holmes. The beginning of the story stands out because Watson deliberately makes an introduction in which he expresses his opinion about the unique cases that Sherlock has worked on. The central element is the chain of strange events: Julia's death, the start of repairs at Helen's house and the nighttime whistling. The story also gives food for thought about the social order, as one can begin to think about matters of money and marriage, unusual hobbies and cold calculations. Watson's comments and rhetorical questions are also a valuable tool for reflection: “How can I ever forget that terrible vigil? The end of the story is a kind of contemplation as the ethical questions related to the criminal's death are addressed. Thus, the plot of the story is typical of the genre. The next element of a detective story, the problem, is understood as the real secret that needs to be solved, usually who committed a crime and why. In this regard, “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” is based on the problem of the mysterious menace which turns out to be a swamp viper. It can be argued that there are two sides to the problem in this story: while the first concerns Julia and her strange words before her death, the second concerns Helen and her life. It would be wrong to treat these aspects as separate phenomena because in reality they refer to the same venomous snake. So the story problem is binary and only stimulates readers' interest. It is worth noting that the reader is supposed to become a partner of the detective and try to solve the problem or at least find the right direction. The genre requires that clues be clearly stated and described, and this is precisely what the author does when he imagines the first meeting with Helen. With Mr. Holmes, we examine the house and see what drives them to understand: the tied bed, the bell ropes and the fans. The ambiguous word "group" misleads both the detective and the reader. The particularity required by the tradition of the genre is therefore fully present. Finally, the correct solution is an integral part of the detective novel. Logically, the final element must be about the solution or how the action is resolved because it gives meaning to the reading of the story. This is probably one of the most difficult moments for the author. In detective novels, the ending must be believable and correspond to the events.