How to write Mystery / Noir

Fair play is the contract: every clue on the page, every red herring paid off, every alibi checked. Keep the evidence board honest so the reveal is earned.

Includes

Mystery, Cosy Mystery, Steampunk Mystery, Detective Noir, Police Procedural, Crime Fiction

Beats readers look for

Clue Planted
Red Herring
Suspect Interview
Alibi Check
Interrogation
Midpoint Twist
Revelation
Chase
The Reveal
Loose End

Story structures that fit

Seven-Point Structure: You write the ending first, then work backwards. Best when you know how it finishes but not how to get there.
Three-Act Structure: The plain spine. Eight beats, no ideology. Best when other frameworks feel like too much scaffolding.
Syd Field Paradigm: Two hard plot points bracketing a long second act. Best when the middle keeps sagging and needs a spine.

Worth keeping track of

Clues & Evidence
Suspects